An original artwork of one of the whimsical inventions in the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has sold at auction for £3,500.
The late artist Rowland Emett’s illustration shows a dog grooming invention entitled The Potts Cruft-de-Luxe Dog Tidy, which was featured in the much-loved film.
Emett’s notes explaining how each part of the invention works also accompany the ink and pencil work, which surpassed the pre-sale estimate of £2,500-£3,000.
It was part of a collection of items from the film that went under the hammer on Saturday at a sale by Excalibur Auctions.
An unpublished print by Emett of Grandpa Potts hut, taken from the original sketch design for the film, sold for £175 at an estimate of £60-£80.
While a rare children’s pedal car, based on the famous flying vehicle and made by the Pines factory, fetched £1,625 at auction at an estimated £1,000 – £1,500.
A wooden, glass and metal model of the floating hut, which serves as the backdrop to Grandpa Potts’ song Posh, was one of the auction’s most prized items, estimated to be worth £3,500 – £4,500 – but it went unsold .
A number of other collectibles were sold, including an original black and white still from the 1968 film signed by the leading stars Dick Van DykeSally Ann Howes, Heather Ripley and Adrian Hall.
It sold for £380 with an estimate of £100-£150.
Jonathan Torode, of Excalibur Auctions, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer such a special private collection of items sourced directly from the iconic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie.
“The owner of the collection has built it up for years, purely out of passion for the film and his involvement in it.
“The top lots were in high demand today, which is a testament to the film’s enduring popularity.”