I went to the sale of Edward Ardizzone's paintings, watercolours, drawings, original book illustrations and prints yesterday evening at Gallery 27, 27 Cork Street, Mayfair.
I missed the illustration I wanted to buy of The Boat to Southend by a whisker and though I looked at all the others I had gone with the intent of purchasing it! Drat.
There was also On The Beach (Sheerness) which went for £1200.
I have been interested in Ardizzone's work ever since we purchased a house he had lived in, in Rodmersham, near Sittingbourne. I knew his brother, David, who lived in Highgate but practised as a solicitor in Sittingbourne......