Charming vintage 1920s book illustration by British artist Gladys Peto (1890–1977), purchased from an antique shop in London.
This wonderful period scene depicts a fashionable garden tennis gathering, with young men and women socializing while refreshments are served. The illustration is filled with delightful 1920s details, including tennis rackets, elegant dresses and hairstyles, wicker furniture, a tea service, and a beautifully dressed woman relaxing in a chair in the foreground.
The original printed caption beneath the illustration reads:
“MOLLY POURED OUT FOR EVERYBODY.”
The artist’s PETO signature is visible in the lower right corner of the image.
This is a vintage printed illustration removed from a period children’s book, rather than an original painting or drawing. It was purchased in a London antique shop identified as an authentic 1920s Gladys Peto book illustration.
Details:
* Artist: Gladys Peto
* Era: 1920s
* Origin: England
* Medium: Vintage printed book illustration
* Subject: Tennis / garden party / fashion / social scene
* Original caption: “Molly poured out for everybody.”
* Approx. overall mounted size: 8¼” wide × 10” high
* Mounted with a black surround
* Unframed
* Currently protected in a clear sleeve
Condition:
Very appealing vintage condition with age-related toning, faint marks and other minor signs of age. The reverse shows some discoloration/marking and faint show-through associated with the old printed paper. Please review all photographs carefully, including the photographs of the reverse, as they are part of the condition description.
A particularly decorative example of Gladys Peto’s work, combining 1920s fashion, tennis and British social history. An excellent piece for a collector of vintage tennis memorabilia, antique children’s-book illustration, British art, 1920s fashion or period sporting décor.
Purchased from an antique shop in London.
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