The Wainwright drawing of Aira Force. Photo: Offspring Photography
Aficionados of the late Lakeland author and artist Alfred Wainwright have the chance to own original drawings produced by the celebrated fellwalker.
Proceeds from the auction of some Wainwright’s works will go to Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team.
The star piece in the auction, which closes on Sunday, is a pen-and-ink drawing of Aira Force. Ray Pitt, who is urging people to support the sale to help raise funds for the rescuers, said he believed it is one of only two drawings Wainwright produced of Aira Force – the other appearing in the Eastern Fells volume of the Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells in 1955.
The picture in the auction featured in A Lakeland Sketchbook, published in September 1969.
Bids can be made online via the Eighteen Eighteen Auctioneers website.
The auction house said: “The original drawings for this title, 80 in total, including Aira Force, were donated to the Kendal branch of the Save The Children Fund and exhibited at Abbot Hall, Kendal.
“All first editions of A Lakeland Sketchbook came with a leaflet, allowing the owner to purchase an original sketch from this title. The drawings sold out within a few days of publication. There were many disappointed people, as over 1,000 letters and enquiries for drawings were received.”
The Aira Force drawing was subsequently gifted to Patterdale MRT by an anonymous donor. The auction will close on Sunday 2 July.
