One of just 30 copies of Rena Gardiner’s self-made 1960 Portrait of Dorset, sold by Lawrences for £2600.
From her Dorset cottage, artist and print-maker Rena Gardiner (1929-99) produced more than 40 guidebooks to historic places, buildings and the countryside, all of which she wrote, illustrated with drawings made directly onto litho plates and printed herself.
Until a few years ago, when a study of her life and work was published, this work was not widely known outside the region. However, a 2015 sale held by Lawrences (22% buyer’s premium) of Crewkerne showed just how much her highly individual works are appreciated and valued by some.