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English Literature, History, Children’s Books & Illustrations

Our forthcoming sale of English Literature, History, Children’s Books and Illustrations will take place on the 12th of December. In perfect time for the festive season, the sale will include The Florence Ada Maggs Collection of Sangorski & Sutcliffe Christmas Bindings. Uniting two of most recognisable names in the twentieth century book trade, The Christmas Bindings are a collection of forty-four classic titles which together provide a unique and exquisite record of London’s greatest bindery.  Other highlights include a remarkable and extensive collection of works by Henry James and a rare group of manuscripts from John Lennon’s second book, A Spaniard in the Works that were given by the author to his publisher. To conclude the sale, Sotheby’s is honoured to offer over fifty original illustrations from The Estate of Arthur Rackham, including his final watercolour.

The evening before the day sale, on December 11th, Sotheby’s is pleased to present ‘First Editions : Re- covered’. An evening auction to benefit House of Illustration, in partnership with Winsor & Newton, the sale will present thirty three first editions re-covered or re-interpreted by contemporary artists, designers and illustrators. From Peter Blake’s re-covered Alice through the Looking Glass to Lauren Child’s reinterpretation of Pippi Longstocking, the sale will delight book collectors and illustration lovers alike.