We know that a William T. Todd of Oxford Mills, Ottawa died in September of 1931 and that a William T. Todd of Pittsburgh was about 70 at that time. Neither is a known artist or would seem to be credible as the creator of An Honest Heart, Or, Hard at Work Really Wishing You A Merry Christmas which is adorned with the year 1931—possibly the coming New Year—and which looks for all the world like the work of John Held, Jr. The artwork has printer's marks on it and was likely published as a Christmas card. Held was known to sign his "engravings"with great wit, but why he specifically would choose to sign one "Done by William T. Todd, who scorns empty words" is not at all clear. The paper has extensive pencil underlining—see the candle flame and the table, etc.—an indication that he drew directly with ink on this imitation woodblock print.
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| An Honest Heart Or, Hard at Work Really Wishing You A Merry Christmas, c. 1930 John Held, Jr. "Done by William T. Todd, who scorns empty words" |
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| William T. Todd (John Held, Jr.?) eBay Item Description as of June 15, 2017 Sold for $25 on June 17, 2017 |
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| William T. Todd (John Held, Jr.?) eBay Item Description |
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| An Honest Heart Or, Hard at Work Really Wishing You A Merry Christmas, c. 1930 John Held, Jr. "Done by William T. Todd, who scorns empty words" |
Note: What's the connection to William T. Todd? Readers are invited to speculate. John Held, Jr., usually signed his own name to his art. My wishbone wish would be for readers to share scans or photographs of his original or published art, including retro designs for Christmas cards. Information about this particular piece's lost publication history would be welcome as well.
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John Held, Jr.
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