London – Known to generations of children, and their parents, for his whimsical and much-loved illustrations, Sir Quentin Blake (born 1932) has worked on more than 300 titles – dozens of which he wrote himself. Featuring a selection of Blake's illustrations, Bonhams will host Airborne: A Fundraising Sale for the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, which will run on bonhams.com from 21-29 April.

The proceeds of this special 53-lot sale will support the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration to transform a derelict 18th and 19th century waterworks in Clerkenwell, London, into a home for its work with illustrators, schools and community groups. Opening in spring 2026, the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will exhibit illustrations from around the world and will also provide a home for Blake's extraordinary 40,000 plus work archive.

The sale includes original artworks from Moonlight Travellers. These watercolour journeys through unknown landscapes capture, with unmatched skill, all the mystery and intrigue of the dead of night. This contemplative series is complemented by works exploring flight and flying and the fantasy world of ordinary people.

Lindsey Glen, Director of the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, commented: "From bouncing babies to mischievous birds, this exceptional selection captures Quentin's characteristic warmth and humour, alongside some of the more contemplative elements of his work. The proceeds of the sale will help us realise his long-held vision for a national centre: a place where people can examine and create illustration in all its wonderous forms. Opening in beautiful surroundings next year, the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration - named in honour of Britain's best-loved illustrator - will offer wide-ranging exhibitions and projects and create a springboard for tours and projects across the UK."

Mary Gatenby, Bonhams Associate Specialist for Modern British and Irish Art and head of the sale, said: "Working with Quentin and the team from the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration continues to be a great privilege. Sir Quentin Blake's works are a great source of happiness and nostalgia for so many, and we are delighted to be able to offer these charming works at auction and continue working with the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, who empower people of all ages to tell their stories."

Mary added: "The sale offers a joyful selection of Blake's characters in various modes of flight, many from his Airborne and Moonlight Travellers series. Whether being lifted into the clouds by an umbrella, comically floating as a balloon, or winged figures reading mid-flight in works from his book On the Wing, Blake's characters continue to uplift and delight."

Featuring a wide range of characters and sizes, this sale offers something for everyone, with estimates ranging from £300-500 to £2,000-3,000. The sale includes 16 works from Quentin Blake's book On the Wing (2020) including the original work featured on the book's cover, and an additional alternative cover executed in 2018.

Highlights of the sale include:

• Eight works from the Moonlight Travellers series (No.7, 11, 14-17, 19-20), estimates of £2,000-3,000 each

• 15 works from the Airborne series (No.1-15), estimates of £1,500-2,000 each

• 11 works from another Airborne series (No.1-11) executed in 2025, estimates from £300-500 to £1,000-1,500

• 16 works from the On the Wing series (No.1-10, 12-15), estimates from £600-800 to £1,000-1,500

• Balloon, estimate of £800-1,200

27 March 2025