A Festive Selection of Books and Illustrations

Charles Dickens, Christmas Books, First Editions. Estimate: £7,000–9,000.

A Christmas Carol was the first of these immensely popular Christmas books. According to Eckel “it was issued about ten days before Christmas, 1843, and 6,000 copies were sold on the first day.”

English Literature, History, Children’s Books & Illustrations
11 December 2017 - 12 December 2017 | 7:30pm GMT | London

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Sangorski and Sutcliffe, Christmas Bindings. Estimate: £200,000–300,000.

These spectacular Christmas Bindings unite two of the most important and recognisable names in the twentieth century book trade. These forty four books, each with their own exquisite binding, were gifted year by year by Sangorski & Sutcliffe to Florence Maggs, the wife of Ernest Maggs, who had taken over his father’s firm with his three brothers in 1894. Carefully conserved since then and now offered for sale as a complete collection, these books are not only testament of a lifelong friendship but provide a unique record of the development of London’s greatest bindery.

English Literature, History, Children’s Books & Illustrations
11 December 2017 - 12 December 2017 | 7:30pm GMT | London

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H. M. Bateman, "The colonel who found nothing in his Xmas Pudding". Estimate: £3,000–5,000

H. M. Bateman is recognised as the first modern master of British 20th century cartoons. From a young age, Bateman’s work appeared in numerous publications including Scraps, Tatler, Punch, and The Bystander. He is most famous for his ‘The Man Who…’ series.

English Literature, History, Children’s Books & Illustrations
11 December 2017 - 12 December 2017 | 7:30pm GMT | London

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Michael Ffolkes, "Like a fool I told the other two guys about the gold". Estimate: £1,000–1,500.

Published in Punch at the age of 17, Michael Ffolkes was a prolific illustrator, cartoonist and watercolourist. He contributed to the Daily Telegraph for 30 years, and Playboy for 20 years as well as Private Eye, The Spectator, The New Yorker and Reader’s Digest.

English Literature, History, Children’s Books & Illustrations
11 December 2017 - 12 December 2017 | 7:30pm GMT | London

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Gerard Hoffnung. "The Carol Singers". Estimate: £3,000–5,000.

Cartoonist, broadcaster, tuba player, and raconteur, Hoffnung was a celebrated humourist known for his series of cartoons and drawings that centre on the world of music.

English Literature, History, Children’s Books & Illustrations
11 December 2017 - 12 December 2017 | 7:30pm GMT | London

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Arthur Rackham, Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Estimate: £2,000–2,500.

The greatest illustrator of his time. Rackham’s illustrated ‘Gift Book’ editions delighted children and adults alike, year after year, under the Christmas tree. He lent his imagination and skill to some of the greatest tales of the time, many of which feature in this sale. The books include both his irresistible and often haunting watercolours, reproduced on plates, as well as his charming and humorous silhouette and design work throughout the volumes.

English Literature, History, Children’s Books & Illustrations
11 December 2017 - 12 December 2017 | 7:30pm GMT | London

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Arthur Rackham. "Father Christmas' Book Tea". Estimate: £4,000–6,000.

The cause for abandoning this unfinished piece is unknown, but demonstrates the artist's working method. The composition is especially significant for showing Rackham's depiction of characters from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland seven years before his own edition of that work. The cause for abandoning this unfinished piece is unknown, but demonstrates the artist's working method.

A finished colour drawing was published in the 1901 Christmas Number of Black and White. According to Riall this was also published in Only My Fun in 1910 with the title "The Big Family of Merry, Merry People Who Have Made Us All Happy".

English Literature, History, Children’s Books & Illustrations

11 December 2017 - 12 December 2017 | 7:30pm GMT | London

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Ronald Searle, Trap for Dere Santa, Estimate: £4,000–6,000.

Searle is perhaps best known as the creator of St Trinians School, and his collaboration on the character Molesworth. He worked extensively during the 1950s and was published in numerous publications throughout his life including Punch, Life and The New Yorker.

English Literature, History, Children’s Books & Illustrations
11 December 2017 - 12 December 2017 | 7:30pm GMT | London

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