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THE CHRISTMAS CRACKER 2025
Art of the Book is delighted to present its festive Christmas Cracker 2025, with a range of original artwork from a variety of distinguished illustration artists from around the word. All work is available for purchase, prices start at £195.
Edward Ardizzone
'TIE HIM UP TO A POST'
Produced for ''The Dragon'', written by Archiblad Marshall, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, published by Hamish Hamilton, 1966
Black ink, watercolour on paper
Image size: 110 x 200mm,
Paper size: 185 x 250mm
Published
Signed
£3250:-
Enquiries: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
Produced for ''The Dragon'', written by Archiblad Marshall, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, published by Hamish Hamilton, 1966
Black ink, watercolour on paper
Image size: 110 x 200mm,
Paper size: 185 x 250mm
Published
Signed
£3250:-
Enquiries: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
Edward Ardizzone
''A VERY HORRIBLE DRAGON''
Produced for ''The Dragon''
Written by Archibald Marshall, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, published by Hamish Hamilton, 1966
Black ink, watercolour on paper
Image size: 100 x 210mm,
Paper size: 180 x 250mm
Published
Signed
£3500:-
Enquiries: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
Produced for ''The Dragon''
Written by Archibald Marshall, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, published by Hamish Hamilton, 1966
Black ink, watercolour on paper
Image size: 100 x 210mm,
Paper size: 180 x 250mm
Published
Signed
£3500:-
Enquiries: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
Edward Ardizzone
''I WAS A WITCH, BEFORE I CAME YOUR NURSE''
Produced for ''The Dragon'', written by Archiblad Marshall, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, published by Hamish Hamilton, 1966
Black ink, watercolour on paper
Image size: 140 x 220mm,
Paper size: 185 x 245mm
Published
Signed
£3500:-
Enquiries: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
Produced for ''The Dragon'', written by Archiblad Marshall, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, published by Hamish Hamilton, 1966
Black ink, watercolour on paper
Image size: 140 x 220mm,
Paper size: 185 x 245mm
Published
Signed
£3500:-
Enquiries: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
'' A lovely sword with a suit of clothes''
Candide, or Optimism
Voltaire, Jean Francois Marie Arouet de (1694-1778),
[Thacker, Christopher, translator]
Published by Libanus Press Ltd, Marlborough 1996
Black ink on paper
Image size: 155 x 125mm
Paper size: 313 x 240mm
Signed and dated on the reverse
Published, page 58
£2250
Voltaire, Jean Francois Marie Arouet de (1694-1778),
[Thacker, Christopher, translator]
Published by Libanus Press Ltd, Marlborough 1996
Black ink on paper
Image size: 155 x 125mm
Paper size: 313 x 240mm
Signed and dated on the reverse
Published, page 58
£2250
''He tried to open the curtains round the bed''
Candide, or Optimism
Voltaire, Jean Francois Marie Arouet de (1694-1778),
[Thacker, Christopher, translator]
Published by Libanus Press Ltd, Marlborough 1996
Black ink on paper
Image size: 155 x 125mm
Paper size: 313 x 240mm
Signed and dated on the reverse
Published, page 58
£2250
Voltaire, Jean Francois Marie Arouet de (1694-1778),
[Thacker, Christopher, translator]
Published by Libanus Press Ltd, Marlborough 1996
Black ink on paper
Image size: 155 x 125mm
Paper size: 313 x 240mm
Signed and dated on the reverse
Published, page 58
£2250
''It was one of his sheep''
Candide, or Optimism
Voltaire, Jean Francois Marie Arouet de (1694-1778),
[Thacker, Christopher, translator]
Published by Libanus Press Ltd, Marlborough 1996
Black ink on paper
Image size: 155 x 125mm
Paper size: 313 x 240mm
Signed and dated on the reverse
Published, page 58
£2250
Voltaire, Jean Francois Marie Arouet de (1694-1778),
[Thacker, Christopher, translator]
Published by Libanus Press Ltd, Marlborough 1996
Black ink on paper
Image size: 155 x 125mm
Paper size: 313 x 240mm
Signed and dated on the reverse
Published, page 58
£2250
Angela Barrett
''A tall, thin man, with a breaky nose and black moustache and pointed beard, who was also observing the pretty girl''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Dracula'', by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2021
Black ink, watercolour and gouache on Fabriano Artistico handmade watercolour paper
Paper size: 230 x 150mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£3750
''A tall, thin man, with a breaky nose and black moustache and pointed beard, who was also observing the pretty girl''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Dracula'', by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2021
Black ink, watercolour and gouache on Fabriano Artistico handmade watercolour paper
Paper size: 230 x 150mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£3750
''A tall, thin man, with a breaky nose and black moustache and pointed beard, who was also observing the pretty girl''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Dracula'', by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2021
Black ink, watercolour and gouache on Fabriano Artistico handmade watercolour paper
Paper size: 230 x 150mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£3750
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Dracula'', by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2021
Black ink, watercolour and gouache on Fabriano Artistico handmade watercolour paper
Paper size: 230 x 150mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£3750
''A tall, thin man, with a breaky nose and black moustache and pointed beard, who was also observing the pretty girl''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Dracula'', by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2021
Black ink, watercolour and gouache on Fabriano Artistico handmade watercolour paper
Paper size: 230 x 150mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£3750
''A tall, thin man, with a breaky nose and black moustache and pointed beard, who was also observing the pretty girl''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Dracula'', by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2021
Black ink, watercolour and gouache on Fabriano Artistico handmade watercolour paper
Paper size: 230 x 150mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£3750
Angela Barrett
''A tall, thin man, with a breaky nose''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Frankenstein'', by Mary Shelley, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2023
Pencil graphite on cartridge paper
Paper size: 210 x 140mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£850
''A tall, thin man, with a breaky nose''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Frankenstein'', by Mary Shelley, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2023
Pencil graphite on cartridge paper
Paper size: 210 x 140mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£850
''A tall, thin man, with a breaky nose''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Frankenstein'', by Mary Shelley, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2023
Pencil graphite on cartridge paper
Paper size: 210 x 140mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£850
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Frankenstein'', by Mary Shelley, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2023
Pencil graphite on cartridge paper
Paper size: 210 x 140mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£850
''A tall, thin man, with a breaky nose''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Frankenstein'', by Mary Shelley, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2023
Pencil graphite on cartridge paper
Paper size: 210 x 140mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£850
''A tall, thin man, with a breaky nose''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Frankenstein'', by Mary Shelley, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2023
Pencil graphite on cartridge paper
Paper size: 210 x 140mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£850
Angela Barett
''A terrible desire came upon me to rid the world of such a monster''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Dracula'', by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2021
Black ink, watercolour and gouache on Fabriano Artistico handmade watercolour paper
Paper size: 230 x 150mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£3750
''A terrible desire came upon me to rid the world of such a monster''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Dracula'', by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2021
Black ink, watercolour and gouache on Fabriano Artistico handmade watercolour paper
Paper size: 230 x 150mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£3750
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Dracula'', by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2021
Black ink, watercolour and gouache on Fabriano Artistico handmade watercolour paper
Paper size: 230 x 150mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£3750
''A terrible desire came upon me to rid the world of such a monster''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Dracula'', by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2021
Black ink, watercolour and gouache on Fabriano Artistico handmade watercolour paper
Paper size: 230 x 150mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£3750
Angela Barrett
''A terrible desire came upon me''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Frankenstein'', by Mary Shelley, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2023
Pencil graphite on cartridge paper
Paper size: 210 x 140mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£850
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Frankenstein'', by Mary Shelley, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2023
Pencil graphite on cartridge paper
Paper size: 210 x 140mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£850
Angela Barrett
''With a sinuous dive he… dashed across the room, threw himself at the window''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Dracula'', by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2021
Black ink, watercolour and gouache on Fabriano Artistico handmade watercolour paper
Paper size: 230 x 150mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£4000
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Dracula'', by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2021
Black ink, watercolour and gouache on Fabriano Artistico handmade watercolour paper
Paper size: 230 x 150mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£4000
Angela Barrett
''With a sinuous dive he… dashed across the room''
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Frankenstein'', by Mary Shelley, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2023
Pencil graphite on cartridge paper
Paper size: 210 x 140mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£850
Angela Barrett
Produced for and illustrated in ''Frankenstein'', by Mary Shelley, illustrated by Angela Barrett, published by The Folio Society, 2023
Pencil graphite on cartridge paper
Paper size: 210 x 140mm
Images size: 170 x 90mm
Signed
Published
£850
Angela Barrett
'THE SNOW QUEEN'
Produced for and illustrated in 'The Snow Queen', written by Hans Christian Andersen, retold by Naomi Lewis, Walker Books, 1988
Watercolour on paper
Image size: 220 x 180mm
Front Cover Artwork
Produced for and illustrated in 'The Snow Queen', written by Hans Christian Andersen, retold by Naomi Lewis, Walker Books, 1988
Watercolour on paper
Image size: 220 x 180mm
Front Cover Artwork
Angela Barrett
'THE ICE SHIP'
Produced for and illustrated in 'The Ice Palace', Angela McAllister, Hutchinson, 1994.
_______________________
Watercolour and bodycolour on paper
Signed and dated on reverse 30/8/93
_______________________
Sheet size 250 x 160mm
Image size 80 x 50mm
Published artwork
£1250:-
Produced for and illustrated in 'The Ice Palace', Angela McAllister, Hutchinson, 1994.
_______________________
Watercolour and bodycolour on paper
Signed and dated on reverse 30/8/93
_______________________
Sheet size 250 x 160mm
Image size 80 x 50mm
Published artwork
£1250:-
Quentin Blake
''SAINTLY GOODNESS''
A special commission produced as a personal gift card
Black ink, watercolour on paper
Image size: 110 x 110mm
Paper size: 140 x 110mm
Signed by Quentin Blake in black ink, Inscribed ''To Julia MacRae, For her saintly goodness
With love Quentin Blake''
Provenance: From the collection of Julia MacRae
£4250:-
A special commission produced as a personal gift card
Black ink, watercolour on paper
Image size: 110 x 110mm
Paper size: 140 x 110mm
Signed by Quentin Blake in black ink, Inscribed ''To Julia MacRae, For her saintly goodness
With love Quentin Blake''
Provenance: From the collection of Julia MacRae
£4250:-
Benedict Blathwayt
REINDEER IN THE SNOW
A design for a gift card
Gouache on card
Signed on the inside (two fold)
Image size: 95 x 75mm
Paper size: 150 x 110mm
£295:-
Enquiries: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
A design for a gift card
Gouache on card
Signed on the inside (two fold)
Image size: 95 x 75mm
Paper size: 150 x 110mm
£295:-
Enquiries: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
Benedict Blathwayt
SUMMER DREAMING
A private commission black ink and watercolor on card
Black ink, watercolour on paper
Image size: 120 x 180mm,
Paper size: 160 x 225mm
Signed,
£850:-
A private commission black ink and watercolor on card
Black ink, watercolour on paper
Image size: 120 x 180mm,
Paper size: 160 x 225mm
Signed,
£850:-
Raymond Briggs
THE PENGUINS ARE COMING
Design for a gift card
Gouache on card
Signed by Raymond Briggs
Image size: 170 x 295mm
£3500:-
Design for a gift card
Gouache on card
Signed by Raymond Briggs
Image size: 170 x 295mm
£3500:-
Raymond Briggs with Snowman Enterprises
A WELCOME FROM FATHER CHRISTMAS (1)
Produced for ''The Snowman'', animation film, Snowman Enterprises, 2002, based on Raymond Briggs' book.
12 Field
Emulsion on acetate
Animated
Signed by Raymond Briggs
£1850:-
This original film cel, was produced by Snowman Enterprise, with Raymond Briggs and added as an introduction to the original 1982 as part of the twenty year celebrations of the film.
Provenance: Snowman Enterprises, London; Private Collection, Hong Kong
Collector's note: Original cels signed by Raymond Briggs are extremely rare. This cel was signed by Raymond Briggs especially for us as a personal favour.
Produced for ''The Snowman'', animation film, Snowman Enterprises, 2002, based on Raymond Briggs' book.
12 Field
Emulsion on acetate
Animated
Signed by Raymond Briggs
£1850:-
This original film cel, was produced by Snowman Enterprise, with Raymond Briggs and added as an introduction to the original 1982 as part of the twenty year celebrations of the film.
Provenance: Snowman Enterprises, London; Private Collection, Hong Kong
Collector's note: Original cels signed by Raymond Briggs are extremely rare. This cel was signed by Raymond Briggs especially for us as a personal favour.
Nick Butterworth
WAVING HELLO
A character study drawn by Nick Butterworth on one of his many visits to Illustrationupboard Gallery, London
Pencil on paper
Image size:
Signed
£195:-
A character study drawn by Nick Butterworth on one of his many visits to Illustrationupboard Gallery, London
Pencil on paper
Image size:
Signed
£195:-
Babette Cole
FETLOCKS HALL
Produced as the design for a published gift card.
black ink and watercolour on paper
Image size: 200 x 260mm
Signed by Babette Cole
Published
£850:-
Enquiries: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
Produced as the design for a published gift card.
black ink and watercolour on paper
Image size: 200 x 260mm
Signed by Babette Cole
Published
£850:-
Enquiries: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
Jane Hissey
''LITTLE BEAR STARED AT THE NIGHT SKY''
Produced for ''Little Bear's Dragon''
Written by Sam McBratney, illustrated and illustrated by Jane Hissey, published by Hutchinson, 1999
Coloured crayons on paper
Image size: 370 x 505mm,
Published artwork
Signed
£3250:-
Produced for ''Little Bear's Dragon''
Written by Sam McBratney, illustrated and illustrated by Jane Hissey, published by Hutchinson, 1999
Coloured crayons on paper
Image size: 370 x 505mm,
Published artwork
Signed
£3250:-
Shirley Hughes
''BRONWEN PEAKED INSIDE''
Produced for and illustrated in 'The ''Christmas Eve Ghost'', written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes, published by Walker Books, 2011
Black ink on paper
Publisher's editing proof.
Edition of 15. This proof is 11/15
Signed in pencil by Shirley Hughes
£195
Enquiries: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
Produced for and illustrated in 'The ''Christmas Eve Ghost'', written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes, published by Walker Books, 2011
Black ink on paper
Publisher's editing proof.
Edition of 15. This proof is 11/15
Signed in pencil by Shirley Hughes
£195
Enquiries: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
Robert Ingpen
THE INDIAN ELEPHANT
Produced for and illustrated in ''Round The World In 80 Days, written by Jules Verne, illustrated by Robert Ingpen, published by Palazzo Editions, 2000
Black ink on paper
Image size: 120 x 140mm
Paper size: 150 x 180mm
Signed 'Robert Ingpen '98'
£295
To purchase contact: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
Produced for and illustrated in ''Round The World In 80 Days, written by Jules Verne, illustrated by Robert Ingpen, published by Palazzo Editions, 2000
Black ink on paper
Image size: 120 x 140mm
Paper size: 150 x 180mm
Signed 'Robert Ingpen '98'
£295
To purchase contact: gallery@artofthebook.co.uk
Robert Ingpen
''THE SNOW HARE''
Produced for 'Who Is The World For?' written by Tom Pow, illustrated by Robert Ingpen, Walker Books, 2000
Black ink and watercolour on paper
Image size: 240 x 540mm
Signed
Published artwork
£2500:-
Produced for 'Who Is The World For?' written by Tom Pow, illustrated by Robert Ingpen, Walker Books, 2000
Black ink and watercolour on paper
Image size: 240 x 540mm
Signed
Published artwork
£2500:-
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