William Wallace Denslow (American, 1856-1915), Pull Yourself Up By Your Bootstraps: "I saw a man tugging at his Boot-Straps."It is futile," I said,"You can never lift yourself that way." "You lie!" he cried, And tugged on." [from "The Black Riders and Other Lines" by Stephen Crane. The "boot-straps" version is a later textual variant of the more widely printed poem: "I saw a man pursuing the horizon."] [This poem is also found in "Elbert Hubbard of East Aurora by Felix Shay, page 384], ink and gouache on paper, [approximate dimensions - sight: 8" H x 6 1/2" W], signed 'Den' in ink at center.

Artist's Info: Denslow, a highly celebrated American illustrator, cartoonist and caricature artist, is most famous for creating the original illustrations for L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" in 1900. Like Alexis Jean Fournier (see lot 3161 in this auction), Denslow was deeply connected to the Roycroft Arts and Crafts Community, serving as the first professional artist Elbert Hubbard invited to work at the Roycroft Shops in East Aurora, New York. 

Sheet toned. Sheet is taped verso on mat. Framed: 12 1/2" H x 10 1/4" W.