Roald Dahl's delightful sketches to go on auction
Rare Roald Dahl sketches that were discovered are up for auction, offering a glimpse into the author's creative process and childhood memories.
A sweet surprise has been discovered in an envelope - Roald Dahl's original sketches for his memoir "Boy". These one-of-a-kind drawings, created in black ballpoint pen, are the only book sketches Dahl ever produced.
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The sketches will be sold at auction in Edinburgh as part of Lyon & Turnbull's books and manuscripts sale on 18 June.
The sketches illustrate Dahl's childhood exploits, including a prank on the local sweet shop owner, Mrs Pratchett, by putting a dead mouse in a gobstopper jar. The drawing shows a mouse lying on top of the sweets with its legs in the air - a delightful and mischievous touch.
The sketches were found in an envelope marked "Dahl's drawings & odds and sods" belonging to Ian Craig, the art director at Jonathan Cape. Craig used Dahl's drawings as inspiration for the final illustrations in the book.
In fact, Craig came up with the title "Boy" and received a letter from Dahl saying it was "fine". Craig's widow, Kate, shared that Dahl gave him a blue cashmere cardigan as a thank you for his work, reports BBC.
Dominic Somerville-Brown, a rare books and manuscripts specialist, said the sketches are "a unique addition to Dahl's canon" and offer a glimpse into the author's creative process. The archive, estimated to sell for £20,000-£30,000 (approximately R485,580 - R728,371) provides insight into the production of "Boy" and Dahl's publishing success.
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