Original illustrations by Dorothy Craigie [nee Dorothy Glover] for the first edition of 'The Little Train' (Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1946), with a copy of the book and some associated papers.
'The Little Train' was written by Graham Greene, although it was first published as by Dorothy Craigie. It is the first of four children's picture books written by Greene and illustrated by Dorothy Craigie. Later editions of the four were illustrated by Edward Ardizzone.
The original artwork for 'The Little Train' was purchased by Dr. Gerry Bell, a private collection, from Justin G. Schiller, New York, in 2002. The history of the artwork prior to that date is not known.
Accessible to all researchers, by appointment only.
The collection was donated to Seven Stories in 2008 by Dr. Bell, in memory of his late wife, Muriel Bell. Muriel Bell was a collector of picture books from the 1930s and 1940s, and it is probable that Dr. Bell's interest in the collaboration between Graham Greene and Dorothy Craigie originated with his wife's collection of books.
