Shel Silverstein – “Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back” – Original Ink Concept Sketches University Archives

Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back

Original ink concept sketches on cut page; face and verso for two total images

Approximately 3.75 x 5.5 inches

Fine condition with light wear and toning

Letter of Authenticity

Shel Silverstein

Sheldon Allan “Shel” Silverstein (September 25, 1930 – May 10, 1999) was an American writer known for his cartoons, stories and songs. His written works have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold more than 20 million copies. He was the recipient of two Grammy Awards, as well as Golden Globe Award and Academy Award nominations.

Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back, first published in 1963, is the book that started Shel Silverstein’s incomparable career as a bestselling children’s book author and illustrator. It is narrated in the voice of a character named Uncle Shelby. Lafcadio first appeared in the pages of Playboy magazine in the November 1963 edition. It was part of a long history of Silverstein’s contributions to the magazine and his close relationship with Hugh Hefner, the publication’s founder.

Provenance: From a fascinating and diverse archive comprised of 500+ pages that sheds light on Silverstein’s career during his 30s and 40s, traveling the world and drawing cartoons for magazine and publications; writing songs for Johnny Cash, Helen Reddy, and Dr. Hook; and writing and illustrating books of poetry for children.

From a letter by Bryan Bilby of Appeldore Books, dated March 1, 2014. In part: “On or about 9/15 of 2013 I received a call from a person in New York about a collection of Shel Silverstein material. Naturally I became very interested because there is virtually no Silverstein manuscript material or art work on the market. The facts were revealed to me that Silverstein had dumped all this paper not in his own trash can…but in his neighbor’s trash can instead…The treasures were incredible including…a selection of drawings…”

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