Rare Unpublished RM Ballantyne Sketchbook to Highlight October 31 Book Auction
London—Roseberys 31 October Art & Antique auction will feature a dedicated selection of rare and collectable books.
Highlighting the antique book section is a unique unpublished sketch book by Scottish author RM Ballantyne, 1825-94. Ballantyne was one of the most prevalent Victorian authors of juveniles. During his career he published over 100 books, his novel Coral Island being the most successful of his literary achievements.
Ballantyne commonly illustrated his own books and a rare unpublished original sketchbook is being offered in the auction. The sketchbook 85 illustrated pages. The sketches are of various subject matters, mostly in pen, ink and wash which include humorous sketches of his family and self-portraits which were used for his abandoned book about Salmon fishing in Norway and his published Freaks on the Fells. It is being offered on Saturday 31 October with an estimate of £1,500- 2,000. Also consigned are original copies of novels by RM Ballantyne, military and army lists, a Phillipps manuscript on 18th century Spain, some Catlin proof plates and the original log book of HMS Blenheim fighting the Russians in the Baltic, dated 1855-56.
