The work is a fine example of the sub-genre of picturebooks featuring train characters. Seven Stories holds most of the artwork, by Dorothy Craigie, for the first edition of this book, which was published in 1946. Acquisition of this later work by Ardizzone provides a wonderful opportunity to contrast two completely different visual interpretations of the same story. The acquisition also includes a complete pen and ink dummy book, with draft illustrations on each page, providing a valuable insight into Ardizzone's creative process.

Provenance

By descent to Anoinetta Ardizzone, widow of Nicholas Ardizzone.