A first edition presentation copy of CS Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe with an unusual signature by the author is coming to auction.
It is the first copy of the 1950book signed with the author's nickname "Jack" to ever appear at auction.
 The first 'Jack' Lewis signed book ever auctioned |
The book was a 1950 Christmas gift to Nicholas Hardie, the son of Colin Hardie, one of Lewis' closest friends and a fellow member of their Inklings writing club.
"Nicholas Hardie, with love from Jack Lewis," it reads.
Modern first editions expert, Max Hasler, told UK newspaper the Daily Mail: "Only a few books signed by CS Lewis have ever come to auction, and none of them have been signed 'Jack'.
"CS Lewis was a very private man. He kept his friends and family close and he would only use this name with people he knew really well."
It will appear with a £12,000 high estimate at a London auction on July 19, a figure that we believe to be close to the mark.
The unique nature of the inscription is likely to raise considerable interest but the absence of the book's dust jacket is a major drawback.
Dust jackets are an attractive feature for collectors, particularly in the children's book market, where they are often subject to particularly hefty abuse.
A traditionally-signed first edition with dust jacket made £17,000 at a London auction in October 2010.
Children's book collectors must take a look at our varied collection available for sale today.
Nicholas Hardie received the dedication for Lewis' fourth Narnia tale, The Silver Chair.
