LONDON.-The BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Charlie and Lola, Wallace and Gromit, The Gruffalo and St Trinian’s – stories that have lit up the lives of generations of children, and not purely thanks to the words that tell them. Very often, the enduring imprint they leave, on the minds of children and adults alike, is in no short measure down to the magical illustrations that help give them life.

Works by many of these famous illustrators will come to sale -– for the most pertinent of causes - at Sotheby’s on Thursday, 16th December 2010.

Some 28 original drawings will be offered, drawn with the characteristic golden touch of the likes of Quentin Blake, Raymond Briggs, Peter Brooks, Eric Carle, Nick Park, Paula Rego, Gerald Scarfe and many others. Estimates range from £1,000* (for Beryl Cook’s Nude on a Leopardskin) to £3,000 (for Quentin Blake’s The BFG, illustrated above.) The driving force behind the sale is Quentin Blake, who has rallied his illustrator peers for contributions in order to raise funds for a cause that is close to all of their hearts: the founding of the House of Illustration – “the world’s first dedicated home for the world’s most accessible artform”.

Quentin Blake said: “We are enormously heartened by the generosity with which so many artists have responded to our invitation and grateful to Sotheby’s, not only for putting on this show but doing it with such enthusiasm and style.”

Philip Errington, Sotheby’s specialist in charge of the sale, said: “We are delighted to offer the work of so many instantly recognisable illustrators and to support this worthy cause.”

The House of Illustration
To be housed in the King’s Cross regeneration area, in a 12,000 square ft Victorian building called Regeneration House, the House of Illustration will provide a creative hub for emerging and established artists working in every aspect of illustration. At the same time, the House of Illustration will be a place where people can enjoy a changing programme of exhibitions; have a go at creating their own illustrations – and have a good cup of coffee.

The Sale and Pre-Sale exhibition
The group of 28 drawings – some created especially for the sale, others original illustrations for celebrated works – will be offered in Sotheby’s big winter sale of English Literature, History, Children’s Books and Illustrations. Prior to the sale, the illustrations will be on view to the public in Sotheby’s galleries from December 12th to 15th. The exhibition for the auction will also include original artwork from the rest of the sale including work by Beatrix Potter, E.H. Shepard, Edmund Dulac and Margaret Tarrant. Sotheby’s will also be exhibiting additional pieces which are not for sale from various private collections to create a special “The Art of Illustration” exhibition.

• An original illustration by Eric Carle, most famous for The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Est: £3,000-5,000

• Tony Blair signs his new book, by legendary cartoonist and illustrator Gerald Scarfe. Est: £2,000-3,000

• Zog, by Axel Scheffler, whose illustrations for The Gruffalo are widely celebrated. Zog, shown here, is an accident-prone dragon from the latest collaboration between Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Est: £1,500-2,000

• Wallace and Gromit, by Nick Park, Oscar-winning stop motion animation film-maker and creator of Wallace and Gromit. Est: £1,500-2,000

• Ronald Searle, artist and cartoonist, is best known as creator of St Trinian’s School and co-author of the Molesworthy tetralogy. This is a first version of an illustration for Jeffrey Archer’s Cat O’Nine Tales, published in 2006. Est: £2,000-3,000

• A future fair for all, by Peter Brookes, the leader-page cartoonist for The Times. This cartoon appeared on 31 March 2010. Est: £1,000-1,500

• Mick Inkpen, Kipper and Wibbly Pig. Est: £1,500-2,000

• They Find 1 Big Slimy Pink Worm, by Jan Pieńkowski. Est: £1,500-2,000


*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium