Humpty Dumpty, in many illustrations NYT crossword clue

The answer to the clue “Humpty Dumpty, in many illustrations” is **EGG**.

Though the original nursery rhyme never specifies his form, Humpty Dumpty is almost always depicted as an egg in popular culture and illustrations. This visual representation likely became popular because of the character’s fragility and the rhyme’s focus on a great fall that couldn’t be repaired. Crossword clues often rely on commonly accepted imagery, and in this case, “EGG” is the clear answer that aligns with how Humpty Dumpty is most widely imagined.