SEARLE (RONALD) Collection of four pen and watercolour greetings cards drawn by Searle and his cell-mates in the infamous Japanese Changi prison camp in Singapore
SEARLE (RONALD)
Collection of four pen and watercolour greetings cards drawn by Searle and his cell-mates in the infamous Japanese Changi prison camp in Singapore, comprising: a Christmas card depicting Santa Claus in a flying sledge with a reindeer, signed "Ronald Searle 1944" at foot, and inscribed on the inside "Changi Gaol Christmas 1944/ To Phil and Jack/ from Keith/ with best for Xmas & 1945"; "Birthday Greeting..." card, with a two-part ink and watercolour cartoon pasted inside ("Daddies Birhtday, 1945", showing a wife and son waiting expectantly with a birthday cake whilst the husband languishes in a cell); a card lettered "Happy Anniversary/ Phil /Phil and Ena" (below empty and ocupied beds respectively), inscribed inside "From Keith Stevens & Charlie Wiggins"; and a birthday card by Searle (tree on cover) and Charles Gray (sketch and inscription inside), on thin, rather fragile, brown paper of different types, some fraying, 142 x 89mm. and smaller, 1944-1945
Estimate:
£600 - 800
€700 - 930
US$ 940 - 1,200

Footnotes

  • The four cards were mostly drawn and lettered by Searle, but with contributions from three cell-mates in Changji jail, Phil Lonegan, the Australian Charles Wiggins, and Charles Cray. The cards were kept by Lonegan, and on his death some 15 years ago, his widow presented them to Cray, the father of the present owners. Proceeds from the sale will be used to help a fund a trip to Singapore to visit Changi Chapel and Museum.

Category: Books / Books, Maps and Manuscripts


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