FIVE unique paper sculptures made from and depicting scenes from Scottish literary classics have sold at auction for more than 10 times the asking price.
The intricate paper artworks, especially created for Scottish Book Trust a decade ago by an anonymous artist, were sold by fine art auctioneers, Lyon & Turnbull, on behalf of the charity, raising over £50,000.
Operating since 1826, Lyon & Turnbull are one of the UK’s top most prestigious art and antiques auctioneers. Sales range from jewellery and watches to fine furniture and rare books; traditional British and European art to modern and contemporary talents; European decorative arts and design to fine Asian art from China and Japan.
Bids were accepted online for the artworks over the course of a week, with the virtual hammer falling on Tuesday at 6pm, following a deluge of last-minute offers coming from across the UK.
The grand total raised was £50,500, which will go in its entirety towards funding Scottish Book Trust's ambition to make books accessible to everyone in Scotland, with particular focus on those who are vulnerable and under-represented.
READ MORE: Scottish Book Trust reveals its award recipients for 2022's New Writers Awards
Their programmes and outreach work include; gifting books, working with teachers to inspire children to develop a love of reading, hosting book awards and author events such as Authors Live with the BBC, supporting and nurturing Scotland’s wide-ranging literary talent through training, as well as awards and writing opportunities including New Writers Awards.
All of the sculptures went for well above the estimated £1000 starting price, with the sculpture depicting Robert Louis Stevenson's classic Treasure Island fetching the most, at £13,000.
J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan sold for £12,000, while Tam O'Shanter by Robert Burns went for £10,000, Whisky Galore by Compton Mackenzie fetched £9000 and Lanark by Alasdair Gray was bought for £6500.
All proceeds from the sale will go to Scottish Book Trust, which promotes the enjoyment of reading and the importance of literacy.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, commented: "Scottish Book Trust is thrilled that our rare book sculptures have raised so much for our major fundraising campaign. Thanks to the generous bids, we will be able to provide even more books to those who need them most, though food banks, local authorities and other partners, and deliver more of our life-changing work.
"We're incredibly grateful to the artist for allowing us to auction her beautiful sculptures, and to Lyon & Turnbull for their support. We hope the successful bidders enjoy these rare works of art, and we thank them for supporting the work of our charity."
Cathy Marsden, a specialist in rare books at Lyon & Turnbull, who organised the auction, said: "It was a pleasure to be involved in the sale of these stunning paper sculptures. Media across the UK really got behind the sale, covering it extensively, which has helped to raise a tremendous amount of money.
"The funds will help Scottish Book Trust in its vital work to bring books to all."
The book sculptures were originally commissioned in 2012 by Scottish Book Trust to mark the first ever Book Week Scotland. The mysterious artist, who is known to be a woman, first came to the public's attention when she secretly deposited her book sculptures around cultural venues in Edinburgh throughout 2011.
During Book Week Scotland in 2012, the commissioned sculptures were discovered in a different location around the country by members of the public.
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