Durrell News

Antiques Roadshow to value Gerald Durrell treasures

10^th June 2009

Two beautiful ink drawings penned by Gerald Durrell and an intricate wooden Noah’s Ark, given by the local legend to his wife on their wedding anniversary, will be valued by the BBC Antiques Roadshow this Friday at Samarès Manor.

The two drawings were purchased by RBC Wealth Management three years ago and have recently been donated by RBC to Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. The drawings will be auctioned at the Trust’s 50th Anniversary Firefly Ball next month, with all proceeds going to support Durrell’s conservation work.

Lee Durrell will be taking all three items to the filming of the show, "Gerald was a hugely creative man and his sketches and caricatures were masterful," she said. "He often enchanted his friends with illustrations of themselves and other animals, usually accompanied by witty captions."

"He would have been delighted to know that his sketches are still working hard for the Durrell cause. I am keen to hear how they are assessed before we put them up for auction."

The sketches were drawn by Gerald Durrell for reproduction in the newsletter of Wildlife Preservation Trust Canada (WPTC) as his Christmas thank you to Canadian members. WPTC, now known as Wildlife Preservation Canada, was the Canadian affiliate to Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

The first sketch is called Love Thy Neighbour At All Times and features two birds with a nest containing two nestlings. One bird is looking down angrily and pointing to its nest and the other is in flight looking like it might attack two beavers that are about to fell the tree. The second is called The Ark’s Anniversary and depicts various pairs of animals dancing together around the Ark with Gerald and his wife, Lee.

The third item to be taken to the Antiques Roadshow by Dr Durrell is an Ark hand-carved in Victorian times that was a gift from her husband for their tenth wedding anniversary.

Paul Patterson, Head of RBC Wealth Management in the British Isles, was delighted to return the sketches to Durrell, "We feel it fitting to return these two treasures to the Trust to mark their special anniversary. We hope the drawings contribute to the Trust’s fundraising efforts and bring joy to the eventual owners."

Lee Durrell, concluded, "I would like to thank RBC Wealth Management for their generous donation and hope to see the sketches fetch a good price when they come under the hammer in July."

Matthew Thompson replied on Friday 12 June 2009
	I've seen the ark and it looks great, I hope Lee isn't selling it, but if she is I hope it fetches a million!! I think it's priceless. Regards the drawings, I really wish we could have an illustrated Durrell in print with ALL of Geralds fantastic drawings in.
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