†RONALD WILLIAM FORDHAM SEARLE

†RONALD WILLIAM FORDHAM SEARLE, CBE (1920-2011) THE YULE LOG, COVER DESIGN FOR THE WINTER NUMBER OF 'TOWN & COUNTRY', 1948signed, pen, ink and watercolour, 24 x 16cmSold with a copy of the magazine and artist's als, 77 Bedford Gardens, London W8, December 23 '48 [to the 'Town & Country' art editor] with postscript "You should try leaving money on my mantelpiece - that would bring a despondent note into the editorial" (3)The letter's postscript relates to an incident described on p8 of the magazine where the art editor inadvertently left a packet of cigarettes on Ronald Searle's mantelpiece but "His faith in human nature was given a boost when he found a registered package on his desk the following morning. All 8 cigarettes - were present when he counted them."