A first edition of the much loved children's classic, Wind in the Willows, inscribed by Kenneth Grahame to the daughter of the man who inspired the character of Ratty, was among the star lots offered at Bonhams Printed Books, Maps and Manuscripts sale at New Bond Street on 23 March.
The inscription read, "To Foy Felicia Quiller Couch from her affectionate friend Kenneth Grahame, Oct. 1908". Foy was the daughter of the noted Cornish author, essayist and anthologist Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch at whose home, The Haven at Fowey, Kenneth Grahame often stayed and where he first found the inspiration for Wind in the Willows. Quiller-Couch is thought to have been the model for the character of Ratty, both having a liking for ‘messing about in boats’.
The estimate was £3,000 -5,000 but the hammer price was an astonishing £32,000!
From Ibookcollector
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