Artwork created by Peter Firmin, known for co-creating beloved children's characters such as Bagpuss, The Clangers, and Ivor the Engine, has fetched over £400,000 at auction. The sale attracted international bidders.
The collection, discovered at Firmin's Kent home when it was put up for sale, comprised more than 500 items, including paintings, books, and collectibles. Canterbury Auction Galleries confirmed that all 534 lots were sold during the two-day event.
Notable sales included a signed Basil Brush artwork, which sold for £6,000. An animated Gabriel the Toad character and an illustration of Nogbad firing a cannon at the Ice Dragon each achieved £4,200. A work depicting Bagpuss with Emily and Professor Yaffle sold for £1,600.
The auction house described this as the largest collection of Firmin's art to be offered for sale. Some items from his home will be donated to The Beaney Museum in Canterbury, which already displays characters given by the family.