Raymond Briggs' personal library—over 1,000 books from the beloved creator of The Snowman—has gone on sale at his local Oxfam shop in Hove, East Sussex, and online. The collection, donated by his estate after his death in 2022, offers a unique window into the mind of one of Britain's most cherished authors and cartoonists.
What’s in Raymond Briggs’s Library?
The library spans comics, illustration, novels, and social history. It includes works by Charles Schulz (creator of Peanuts), EH Shepard (Winnie‑the‑Pooh illustrator), and a signed first edition of Graham Rawle’s Woman’s World. Other featured illustrators are Shirley Hughes, Aubrey Beardsley, Edward Gorey, and Posy Simmonds. About 30 comic annuals from the 1950s provide “a glimpse into the visual world that shaped Briggs’s style,” according to Oxfam.
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Why This Sale Matters for Collectors and Fans
Oxfam Hove bookshop volunteer Martin Hill notes the range is “fascinating.” He explains, “You begin to see connections between the books Briggs created and the books and artists he chose to have around him. There are great illustrators and cartoonists, but then you find books about ageing, bathrooms, domestic life, old annuals and wartime milkmen—serious, funny, ordinary, and sometimes rather dark. That feels very familiar to anyone who knows Briggs’s work.”
Notable Items in the Collection
| Item | Significance |
|---|---|
| Pamphlets on nuclear disarmament | Reflects themes in Briggs’s 1982 graphic novel When the Wind Blows |
| Bert Fegg’s Nasty Book for Boys and Girls (1974) by Terry Jones and Michael Palin | Rare Monty Python humor |
| John Constable’s reproduced sketches | Artistic inspiration |
| First edition of Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban | Post‑apocalyptic novel from a master storyteller |
How to Purchase from the Oxfam Sale
Books are available at Oxfam’s Hove bookshop in East Sussex and through the Oxfam online store. The Raymond Briggs library sale offers a rare chance to own pieces of literary and artistic history. Prices vary, but early buyers report finding bargains among the comic annuals and signed editions.
- In‑store visit: Explore the full collection at Oxfam Hove, located near Brighton.
- Online shopping: Browse and buy from the Oxfam website — new items are added regularly.
- Collector’s alert: Signed first editions and rare illustrators’ works may sell quickly.
Raymond Briggs’s Legacy
Born in Wimbledon in 1934, Briggs spent more than 50 years living near Hove, an area that inspired The Snowman (1978). Its iconic depiction of Brighton’s Royal Pavilion is a beloved image. He taught illustration at Brighton School of Art and created timeless works such as Fungus the Bogeyman and When the Wind Blows. This library sale is a fitting tribute, inviting new generations to discover the books that shaped his imagination.
FAQ
Where is Raymond Briggs’s library being sold?
How many books are in the collection?
What types of books are available?
Are there any signed editions?
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to own a piece of literary history. Shop the Raymond Briggs library sale at Oxfam Hove or online before the best treasures are gone.
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