Letter from author Dahl fetches £2,200

A LETTER Roald Dahl wrote to a student a year before his death revealing his passion for inspiring children was sold yesterday for more than £2,000.

Christine Wotton wrote to the legendary author in 1989 after finding his address in the back of a library book while a student in the 1980s.

Recalling her unexpected correspondence with the best-selling author, Ms Wotton said: “I wrote to Roald Dahl speculatively as a young student, aged 20, when I was writing a dissertation on his work at Portsmouth Polytechnic in the late 1980s.

“I asked him questions which intrigued me regarding his style and attitude towards children’s literature, never really dreaming of a response.”

But he sent two pages back, writing: “The ‘content’ of any children’s book is of no importance other than that it enthrals the child – and thus it... seduces him or her to ‘like’ books.”

The handwritten letter was snapped up by a UK buyer for £2,200 when it went under the hammer – smashing its £500-£800 estimate.

Auctioneer Charles Hanson said: “Roald Dahl was a huge talented and sadly missed.

“Nevertheless, his extraordinary imagination lives on thanks to his many books and the films they inspired.

“We’re thrilled for our client that this letter did well, but not at all surprised.

“Dahl’s work has brought immense joy to people across the world for decades.

“It has also helped countless children learn to read and appreciate books.”