Book dedications

Friends and family of Ronald Searle were fortunate to be the recipients of his ceaseless sketching in the form of drawn dedications in presentation copies of his books givens as gifts. His secretary Jean Ellsmoor had many given to her as thanks for her help in assembling the print projects.

'How to be Topp, first edition, signed presentation inscription from Searle with pen and ink drawing of a child in bed spinning a top on her nose'-Forum Auctions

Another in 'How To Be Topp' - Abbott & Holder

'A presentation copy, inscribed in ink on the front free endpaper to his friend the dancer and film and stage director Wendy Toye 'A bit of life for Wendy ?Read all about it? with birthday love from Ronnie May 1 1957', alongside a full page original pen and ink drawing of a lady with no clothes on save for pearls and false eyelashes, seated on an elaborate stool, the lady with pen and sketchpad in each hand, drawing an equally naked lady.' -Maggs Bros. Books

Another nude for Wendy Toye:

'First edition. An inscribed presentation copy, with a large original colour drawing by Ronald Searle. Publisher's original pictorial card covers. Very light rubbing to the cover edges otherwise a fine, bright copy.

Inscribed on the title page in black ink "For / Wendy / with love & / Happy Birthday wishes / - this bit of / backstreet reporting / by two of your / chums! / Mo and Ronnie [underlined]." Beside the inscription Searle has drawn full page illustration of a cigarette smoking Fille de Hambourg in heels and stockings which he has dated underneath 1st May 1969. The recipient is actress, choreographer, stage and film director Wendy Toye, with whom Searle collaborated on several projects.' - Lucius Books

THE RAKE'S PROGRESS
LONDON: PERPETUA 1955 FIRST EDITION
PROVENANCE: SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER FITZWILLIAM BARRINGTON
ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATION ON PAGE 9: SELF-PORTRAIT
SIGNED, INSCRIBED 'FOR FITZ, SOME AWFUL WARNINGS ... AS ALWAYS' AND DATED 'CHRISTMAS 1955' - Chris Beetles Gallery

 'Paris Sketchbook' for Jean Ellsmoor, 1950

'The Female Approach' for Jean Effel, 1949

'The Female Approach' for Jean Ellsmoor, 1954

'The St. Trinians Story' for Jean Ellsmoor, 1959

'A Christmas Carol' for Jean Ellsmoor, 1961

 

'Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines' for Jean Ellsmoor, 1961

'Cats' for Jean Ellsmoor, 1967

'Take One Toad' for John & Midge Locke, 1969

See more personal drawings from Ronald Searle in the 'Correspondence' section here