How to Sell Your Ludwig Bemelmans Madeline Art
To auction, sell or consign your Ludwig Bemelmans Madeline art, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).
Who Was Ludwig Bemelmans?
Ludwig Bemelmans was an author and illustrator who is perhaps best remembered for the children’s book series Madeline. The series is beloved by many generations and has been adapted to a live action full-length film in 1998, an animated TV series that aired between 1988 and 2002 and a short film in the 1950s. Madeline to the Rescue won the Caldecott Medal in 1954 and his first Madeline book received a Caldecott Honor in 1940. Bemelmans grandson, John Bemelmans Marciano, has added seven books to his Madeline series.
Some Original Ludwig Bemelmans Madeline Art Items We’ve Sold:
“Madeline and the Bad Hat” Painting — Sold for $28,000
Ludwig Bemelmans painting for his ”Madeline” series of children’s books, illustrating a scene here for ”Madeline and the Bad Hat”. Rendered in mixed media on board, signed ”Bemelmans” at lower right. Painting measures 31.75” x 19”, with vividly rich colors. Back of board is stamped by the Hammer Galleries, who originally sold Bemelmans’ work for him. With an additional stamp reading ”Sketch for MADELINE And the Bad Hat by LUDWIG BEMELMANS”. Additional provenance includes sale by the Lenox Hill Neighborhood Association, Inc. in its 16 January 1987 auction. With frame, painting measures 40.5” x 28.5”. Some toning to board consistent in color with the scene, support for painting is bowed, and a small amount of surface cracking on the water. Overall in very good plus condition. Sold for $28,000
Ink and Watercolor “Madeline” Artwork — Sold for $11,858
Ludwig Bemelmans original art of ”Madeline”, for Mary MacArthur, daughter of actress Helen Hayes. Ink and watercolor drawing depicts a busy Parisian street scene with Miss Clavel herding twelve little girls through town. Three Parisian buildings stand in the background and in the foreground, a constable stands in salute donning a hat that reads, ”Au Revoir Paris” on the bill. Whimsical and quintessential of Bemelmans’ work. Signed and inscribed in black ink along the bottom, ”To Mary with love / Ludwig Belemans”. Someone has written the year ”1942” in light pencil beneath his signature. Mary MacArthur, a tween in 1942, would die at age 19 of polio. Measures 7” x 8” with very minor toning, else near fine. From the estate of Helen Hayes. Sold for $11,858.
“Madeline” Watercolor Art — Sold for $8,908
Ludwig Bemelmans original art of ”Madeline”, a watercolor signed from his beloved ”Madeline” book series. Artwork portrays a Parisian street scene containing the Madeline characters, as the setting of the book took place in a Catholic boarding school in Paris. Quirky characters, from a man on a bicycle to a cute dog, are depicted going about their day. Ink and watercolor heightened with white on illustration board. Signed ”Bemelmans” at lower right. Board is matted and framed to an overall size of 22” x 21.5”. Fine condition. A rare find for fans of the children’s classic. Sold for $8,908.
“Madeline” Book with Hand-Drawn Illustration — Sold for $4,750
Ludwig Bemelmans signs his beloved “Madeline,” adding a gorgeous, colorful Christmas sketch to the half-title page. Published by Simon & Schuster: New York: 1939, later edition. Upon the half-title page, he draws Madeline, a nun and an angel around a Christmas tree glowing with candles. Below is an inscription reading: “For the Chief from his Godfather Ludwig / Dec 1954″. Minor soiling to book with printed boards measuring 8.75″ x 12”. Original dustjacket shows chipping to edges. Overall very good. A rare find for fans of the children’s classic. Sold for $4,750.
“Madeline and the Gypsies” With Drawing — Sold for $1,892
Ludwig Bemelmans “Madeline and the Gypsies” signed by Bemelmans, who adds a delightful hand drawn sketch of his famous character. First edition, first printing published in New York: Viking: 1959. The author sketches Madeline in a gypsy hat and inscribes, “A Marc Antoine with love from his parent Ludwig”. Bemelmans was Marc Antoine’s godfather. 9″ x 12″ book is bound in green cloth boards with colorful illustrated pastedowns and endpapers. Bumping to board corners, else near fine. Chipping and minor paper loss to unclipped original dustjacket; very good. Sold for $1,892.
Thanks for learning about some of our Ludwig Bemelmans Madeline art items! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
FAQs
How do I consign or sell my Ludwig Bemelmans Madeline art?
It’s never been easier to sell your Ludwig Bemelmans Madeline art at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and photos of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible with a free appraisal.
This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement for your review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days post auction.
What factors determine the value of Ludwig Bemelmans Madeline art?
The value of your art can vary based on condition, type of artwork and subject matter.