James Stewart Appraisal

James Stewart Signed 'Harvey' Rabbit Drawing

This item is a framed ink drawing on paper, directly related to the iconic character 'Harvey' from the play and film of the same name, notable for its association with actor James Stewart (who starred in the film adaptation). The drawing itself depicts a stylized, minimalist representation of a rabbit's head, presumably Harvey. It features two prominent, elongated oval ears extending upwards, two small circular eyes, and a simple, elongated snout-like nose. Below the head, a bow tie with horizontal stripe patterning is rendered, suggesting a dapper or anthropomorphic quality. The artwork is executed in black ink, characterized by thick, bold lines, giving it a somewhat whimsical and crude, yet distinctive, appearance. The paper appears to be an off-white or light tan color, showing some signs of age-related toning, particularly a subtle discoloration that suggests exposure to light or acidity over time, manifesting as a slightly mottled, warmer hue. There are no obvious rips or tears visible on the paper. At the bottom left, the word 'HARVEY' is handwritten in blue ink, while to its right, a signature, also in blue ink, clearly reads 'James Stewart'. The signature's legibility and placement, along with the 'Harvey' inscription, strong indicate this to be an authentic piece of memorabilia signed by the famous actor. The drawing is housed within a simple, thin black frame with a white mat border, behind glass, which protects the drawing but also reflects some ambient light, making a full assessment of paper texture difficult. The style of the drawing is illustrative and cartoonish, likely dating from the mid-20th century, correlating with the film's release (1950) and Stewart's active career. The overall quality of craftsmanship lies in its unique nature as a celebrity-signed artifact rather than intricate artistic execution; the appeal lies in its direct connection to the cultural icon and the actor. This appears to be a unique, hand-drawn piece, not a mass-produced print of the drawing. No visible damage to the frame or glass is apparent.