Monsieur and Madame Gregory's Copy of Le voyage de Babar by Jean de Brunhoff

On Wednesday, at Bonhams, London, a unique first edition of Le voyage de Babar (1932) was sold. It bore an original drawing by Jean de Brunhoff, Babar's creator, of the beloved elephant in a hat shop. The salesman is offering Babar something fashionable but, perhaps, too small and insignificant for a royal elephant of his stature. 

The presale estimate was 10,000 to 20,000 GBP.

Jean de Brunhoff
Bonhams London, Knightsbridge, listing accessed October 27, 2024

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/29882/lot/58/brunhoff-jean-de-le-voyage-de-babar-first-edition-authors-presentation-copy-with-full-page-pen-and-ink-drawing-of-babar-in-a-hat-shop-opposite-the-title-page-paris-editions-du-jardin-des-modes-1932/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=UK_STS_COL_BOK_29882_1_25102024&cid=18130931

The buyers' premium for this lot is 28%.

Sold! Hats off to Babar!

That comes to a 10,000 GBP hammer price plus the 2,800 GBP premium.

Note:  I doubt there are very many Babar books by Jean de Brunhoff, or even by his son Laurent, that are drawn upon quite so exquisitely but, even so, readers who feel they've come upon a contender are encouraged to relay images here for posting. And a tip of the hat to you too.

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Ronald Searle: The Ref

"Football: The Beautiful Game" was an online-only auction held at Bonhams London on December 13. All the works related to a sport known here in the States as soccer. The sale featured works from Chris Beetles, Ltd.

The Ref is an undated work by Ronald Searle that looks to be from the 1950s. It was published in the Tribune, a democratic socialist newspaper based in London. The referee looks over his left shoulder for a possible infraction, whistle at the ready. His hanging right arm ends in what Searle referred to as a "medieval" hand in the Russell Davies biography. 

Ronald Searle
Bonhams London listing accessed December 6, 2023, seven days before the sale

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/166600970_ronald-searle-british-1920-2011-the-ref-28-x-16-cm-11-x-6-14-in?from=alert&utm_source=SavedAlert&utm_campaign=SearchAlert_20230912_B&utm_medium=email&utm_content=itemendingsoon

Ronald SearleBonhams London item description accessed December 6, 2023

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/29222/lot/44/ronald-searle-british-1920-2011-the-ref-28-x-16-cm-11-x-6-14-in/

Sold!

Note:  I don't follow what every other nation calls football and I don't keep copies of the Tribune in my home library. Still, I would like to hear from anyone who may chance to come across this work in its pages.

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