Item #14713 Archive of Original Pencil Drawings and Watercolors, 1941-1945. Fashion, Gladys Warren, World War II.
Archive of Original Pencil Drawings and Watercolors, 1941-1945
Archive of Original Pencil Drawings and Watercolors, 1941-1945
Archive of Original Pencil Drawings and Watercolors, 1941-1945
Archive of an aspiring fashion designer serving with the Women's Auxiliary Air Force
[Fashion] [World War II] Gladys Warren

Archive of Original Pencil Drawings and Watercolors, 1941-1945

England? 1941. Very Good. Item #14713

Substantial collection of original amateur artwork and fashion plates dated 1941 to 1945 by a young woman named Gladys Warren (almost all pieces signed "G. Warren," "G.W.," or "Gladys Warren"). The collection consists of nine large format watercolors (56x38cm.); one small format watercolor (32.5x23); four large format pencil sketches (56x38cm.); and twelve small format pencil sketches (33.5x19cm.), totaling twenty-six (26) individual pieces. Some dust soil and minor wear from handling, watercolors not examined out of individual shrink wrap. A Very Good or better collection overall.

Collection of drawings and watercolors almost exclusively depicting women in the latest fashions or in uniform. The range of the large format watercolors indicate that this was possibly a burgeoning professional dossier, including examples of day wear, sleep wear, evening wear, and swim wear. The large format pencil drawings include two historic fashion illustrations (the only titled image in the group is "Madeira 1884") and one nude study.

Of special note, however, is the series of twelve small pencil sketches, all accomplished on the versos of what appear to be mimeographed World War II aircraft maintenance reports. Indeed, the October 28, 1941, "London Gazette" lists a Gladys Florence Warren among the members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), though we find little else to pinpoint the artist. With the dearth of ready paper experienced during World War II, perhaps Warren filched these leaves on which to practice her art? Most of these sketches depict attractive women, either seen in close-up or, as usual, modeling the latest uniforms and fashions, while the verso details the assemblage or maintenance of engine covers, handbrakes, or a "carburettor."

A pleasing survival of the English home front, juxtaposing fashion, femininity, and aircraft mechanics.

Price: $1,250.00