Wonderful works to recognise World Book Day at auction
29 February 2024 World Book Day is just around the corner (March 7), and though it’s now mainly an occasion to dress little kids in colourful costumes, the day still has its roots in a love of literature and literacy.
Always popular at auction, this collection of four Harry Potter first editions comprises volumes 1-4 in hardback. Estimated at £300-500, the books are part of Roseberys’ Fine & Decorative sale on March 28.
It was launched in 1998 in the UK and Ireland and modelled on a similar event started by UNESCO in 1995 to promote reading, publishing and copyright (April 23). Whether or not you celebrate the occasion, literacy is no bad cause. Here we look at a few top auction lots coming up that relate to the theme.
This is one of a set of four illustrations for Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson’s adventure fiction book first published in 1883. Signed, numbered and dated 1972, the watercolour and gouache pictures are by John Worsley (1919-2000) and go under the hammer at Kinghams Auctioneers’ Fine & Decorative Arts sale of March 7-8 with an estimate of £300-500.
Potteries Auctions offers this Moorcroft trial Alice in Wonderland vase designed by Kerry Goodwin with an estimate of £80-100 in its auction of March 7-9.
The much-loved Paddington Bear first appeared in the Children’s book A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond in 1958. This Steiff limited edition Golden Anniversary bear was made for 2008 exclusively for Danbury Mint and shows Paddington in his iconic coat, hat and tag reading “Please look after this bear. -Thank you”. Special Auction Services offers it in its March 12 Dolls & Teddy Bears Auction where it has an estimate of £60-80.
This Beswick prototype tableau of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny picking onions is based on the beloved children’s series by Beatrix Potter. It is part of the Potteries Auctions sale of March 7-9 where it is estimated at £200-400.
