In brief: Eighteen original illustrations by former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell are being auctioned at Jersey Library, with bids starting at £10. Every penny raised will go towards providing books for children in Jersey whose families cannot afford them. The auction runs until 27 November.
Art, History and a Good Cause
If you have ever wanted to own a piece of original artwork by one of Britain’s most celebrated illustrators, and do some good in the process, Jersey Library has a rather compelling offer for you. The Jersey Festival of Words is auctioning 18 original drawings by Chris Riddell, award-winning illustrator and former Children’s Laureate, donated by Mr Riddell following his appearance at this year’s festival. Bids start at just £10 per illustration, and the highest bidder for each piece walks away with the original artwork.
The collection is currently on display on the second floor of Jersey Library, where visitors can view the works in person until 27 November. For those unable to make the trip, the full collection can also be viewed online, with bids submitted through an online bidding document. Details are available at jerseyfestivalofwords.org/events/illustration-auction/
Vikings, Battles and a Zombie-Fighting Ancestor
The illustrations were not simply dashed off for the occasion. They were created live during a festival event pairing Mr Riddell with Jersey storyteller John Henry Falle, better known as The Story Beast. The event marked a rather significant anniversary: 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror, and it explored the story of 12th-century Jersey monk Master Wace and his epic account of Norman history, the Roman de Rou.
As The Story Beast introduced the characters and stories, Mr Riddell brought them to life on paper in real time, producing drawings depicting Vikings, battles, the events of 1066, and, perhaps most intriguingly, an ancestor who apparently fought zombies. Whether that last detail is historically attested is a matter best left to the scholars of Norman history, but it certainly suggests the evening was anything but dry.
The result is a collection of 18 drawings that are simultaneously a record of a unique live performance, a celebration of Jersey’s deep Norman heritage, and a set of genuinely collectible works by a nationally recognised artist.
Books for Children Who Need Them
The auction is not simply a cultural event. Every pound raised will go directly towards providing books for children in Jersey whose families cannot afford them, supporting local literacy initiatives and helping young islanders access the benefits of reading. It is a straightforward and admirable use of donated talent, with no administrative overheads eating into the proceeds.
For collectors, the starting price of £10 per illustration represents an accessible entry point for original artwork of genuine quality and provenance. For those motivated purely by the cause, it is a chance to support childhood literacy in Jersey in a direct and tangible way.
Source: Jersey Evening Post
