“FLIGHT OF FANCY,” Mary Vickers, 1974 signed lithograph, 13/200, a tender scene of two children discovering a small bird, 29x22.

“FLIGHT OF FANCY,” Mary Vickers, 1974 signed lithograph, 13/200, a tender scene of two children discovering a small bird, 29x22.

Mary Vickers’ FLIGHT OF FANCY (1974) is a beautifully rendered signed lithograph from a limited edition of 200, numbered 13/200. Created during the height of Vickers’ international popularity, the piece depicts two children nestled among wild foliage, quietly admiring a small bird—one of the artist’s most iconic themes. Executed in her signature sepia-toned linework, this edition was published exclusively by Mitch Morse Gallery, ensuring authenticity, high-quality production, and documented provenance. A quintessential Vickers image celebrating innocence, curiosity, and childhood wonder.

Artwork Description

This 1974 lithograph captures Mary Vickers’ gentle yet technically refined approach to figurative storytelling. The composition centers on two children standing together in a softly rendered thicket, their eyes lowered in shared concentration as they cradle a small bird between them. The sepia drafting is warm, atmospheric, and deeply expressive, highlighting Vickers’ mastery of delicate gesture, fine linework, and emotional nuance.

The edition number 13/200 places this print at the desirable beginning of the run, printed while the plate was at its crispest. As with all lithographs from this era, it was published under the supervision of Mitch Morse Gallery, the exclusive distributor of all Vickers limited editions. The paper is bright and clean, the signature strong, and the overall impression deeply resonant—an excellent collector-grade example of Vickers’ most beloved themes.

Mary Vickers Biography

Mary Vickers (British, mid-20th century) is a figurative artist best known for her emotionally resonant drawings and lithographs depicting children, families, quiet domestic moments, and tender human relationships. Her work became widely collected in the 1970s and early 1980s, especially in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, where her limited-edition prints developed a devoted following.

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Born in England in the 1940s, Vickers showed an early aptitude for drawing, particularly for rendering expressive faces and the subtle gestures of children. She was trained in traditional draftsmanship — a foundation that shaped the delicate, controlled linework seen throughout her lithographs. Although not formally affiliated with one academy, her early influences included British illustrators, Victorian genre painters, and contemporary figurative realists whose work emphasized emotional storytelling.

Development of Her Style

By the late 1960s, Vickers had developed the artistic language that would define her career:

• Sepia-toned drawing and lithography

• Soft hand-coloring applied to selected editions

• Narratives centered on childhood innocence, family bonds, and intimate daily moments

• Highly detailed linework combined with atmospheric shading

Her subjects—children fishing, playing, daydreaming, gardening, or interacting with parents and grandparents—captured universal emotional themes. While sentimental, her work is fundamentally rooted in keen observation, balancing technical precision with tenderness.

Professional Career and International Recognition

In the early 1970s, Vickers’ work came to the attention of the Mitch Morse Gallery, an American fine art publisher specializing in limited-edition lithographs. Recognizing the unique appeal of her figurative style, the gallery entered into an exclusive publishing arrangement with her.

For the next decade:

• All of Mary Vickers’ limited-edition lithographs were published exclusively by Mitch Morse Gallery.

• The gallery supervised edition sizes, printing quality, signing, and hand-coloring.

• Vickers’ work was widely distributed through fine art galleries, framing boutiques, and national art shows across the U.S. and Europe.

This partnership ensured consistency, authenticity, and strong provenance—one reason her editions remain highly collectible today.

Technique and Creative Process

Vickers worked primarily in graphite, sepia pencil, and lithographic crayon, creating highly refined drawings that printers transferred to lithographic plates. Many editions were issued in two formats:

• Standard lithographs

• Hand-colored lithographs (watercolor or soft washes)
  Edition sizes typically ranged from 200–275, plus a small number of Artist’s Proofs.

Themes and Artistic Vision

Collectors respond strongly to Vickers’ ability to capture universal emotional experiences:

• Childhood wonder

• Family relationships

• Quiet reflection

• The poetry of daily life

Her work remains resonant, accessible, and timeless.

Legacy and Collector Significance

Today, Mary Vickers’ lithographs are admired for their technical grace, emotional warmth, and nostalgic cultural value. The involvement of Mitch Morse Gallery ensures secure provenance, consistent documentation, and enduring desirability for collectors worldwide.

Mary Vickers (British, mid-20th c.)
FLIGHT OF FANCY, 1974
Lithograph, signed
Edition 13/200
Size: 29 x 22 inches
Published by Mitch Morse Gallery.
Classic Vickers childhood subject with strong early edition number.

CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Mary Vickers (British, mid-20th century)
Title: FLIGHT OF FANCY
Year: 1974
Medium: Lithograph
Edition: 13/200
Signature: Hand-signed by the artist
Dimensions: 29 x 22 inches
Publisher: Mitch Morse Gallery (exclusive publisher)
Provenance:

• Published by Mitch Morse Gallery

• Acquired directly from Mitch Morse Gallery

• Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
  Authenticity: Guaranteed original Mary Vickers limited-edition lithograph.

Provenance

Published by Mitch Morse Gallery, exclusive publisher of all Mary Vickers lithographs.
Acquired directly from Mitch Morse Gallery.
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.