


Art Brokerage specialises in the artwork of Theodor (Theodor) Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss. 30 listings. 1904-1991 - UNORTHODOX TAXIDERMY In 1938, newspapers in New York City announced, "Dr Seuss Returns from the Bobo Isles… with Rare and Amazing Trophies for the Walls of your Game-Room, Nursery or Bar!" It was a collaborative effort between the artist and his publisher to sell a collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy; fantastical creatures created by Ted Geisel, AKA Dr Seuss, who was hailed by LOOK Magazine in 1938 as "The world's most eminent authority on unheard-of animals."nn nnDiscovered in 2004, these sculptures were each carved from a single block of wood and hand-painted. The complete collection of three is the only intact set known to exist in the world. It is suspected that a least a dozen sets were created. nn nnGeisel embarked on an ingenious project in the early 1930’s as he evolved from two-dimensional artworks to three-dimensional sculptures. What was most unusual for these mixed media sculptures was the use of real animal parts including beaks, antlers and horns from deceased Forest Park Zoo animals where Geisel’s father was superintendent. His “Collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy” was born in a cramped New York apartment and included a menagerie of inventive creatures with names like “Two Horned Drouberhannis,” “Andulovian Grackler.” And “Goo Goo Eyed Tasmanian Wolghast.” Shortly after Geisel created this unique collection of artworks, Look Magazine dubbed Ted Geisel “The World’s Most Eminent Authority on Unheard-Of Animals.” To this day, Ted’s unorthodox taxidermy remains as some of the finest examples of his inventive and multi-dimensional creativity. nnArtist Theodor Seuss Geisel was born 2 March 1904 in Springfield, MA. During WW II, Geisel joined the army and was sent to Hollywood. Captain Geisel would write for Frank Capra's Signal Corps Unit (for which he won the Legion of Merit) and do documentaries (he won Oscar's for Hitler Lives and Design for Death). Dr. Seuss also created a cartoon called Gerald McBoing-Boing which also won him an Oscar. In May of 1954, Life published a report concerning illiteracy among school children. The report said, among other things, that children were having trouble to read because their books were boring. This inspired Theodor Geisel's publisher, and prompted Geisel to send Geisel a list of 400 words he felt were important, asked him to cut the list to 250 words (the publishers idea of how many words at one time a first grader could absorb), and write a book. Nine months later, Geisel, using 220 of the words given to him published The Cat in the Hat, which went on to instant success. In 1960 Bennett Cerf bet Geisel $50 that he couldn't write an entire book using only fifty words. The result was Green Eggs and Ham. Dr. Seuss became the best selling childrens's book artist of all time. nnFor over 60 years, Dr. Seuss’s illustrations brought a visual realization to his fantastic and imaginary worlds. However, his artistic talent went far beyond the printed page as in the above mentioned Secret Art. Seuss always dreamed of sharing these works with his fans and had entrusted his wife, Audrey, to carry out his wishes once he was gone. Audrey, too, believed the work deserved further recognition and that Ted himself would some day be evaluated not only as an author, but as an artist in his own right. nnIn 1997, this dream was realized when The Art of Dr. Seuss project was launched. For the first time in history collectors were able to see and acquire lithographs, serigraphs and sculpture reproduced from Geisel’s original drawings and paintings. In her introduction to the collection Audrey Geisel wrote, “I remember telling Ted that there would come a day when many of his paintings would be seen and he would thus share with his fans another facet of himself – his private self. That day has come. I am glad.”nnThis historic project has opened the world’s eyes to the unique artistic talent of Dr. Seuss and, as such, galleries, museums and collectors have helped make Audrey Geisel’s promise, and Dr. Seuss’s dream, a reality.nn All of the original works were created by Dr. Seuss during his lifetime, yet despite the incredible demand for published Seuss artwork, no limited edition pieces were ever created until this historic project began in 1997, six years after Geisel’s death. The edition and all screens utilized to create this edition are authorized by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. and were made posthumously.
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Dr. Seuss Theodor Geisel
"I Dreamed I Was the Doorman At the Hotel Del Coronado" Limited Edition Print |
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