A DRAWING of a dog curled up for a snooze, and a watercolour of a view from a Windsor cottage feature in a unique sketchbook up for auction in Sherborne next month.

But these aren’t any ordinary pieces of art – for they are contained in a sketchbook that belonged to Queen Victoria – who drew and painted them.

Photo: Charterhouse

And that view from a Windsor cottage, dated July 1886? That is from Frogmore Cottage, now the UK residence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The book, which features a number of other royal artistic efforts, features Queen Victoria’s monogram beneath a crown on the cover, as well as an inscription inside the front.

Photo: Charterhouse

“On board the steamer Le Petit Parisien on the Lac de Bourget Ap(ril) 11 1885,” it reads.

Other drawings include images of dogs, trains, mountains and lakes.

Photo: Charterhouse

The book will go under the hammer in the two-day Charterhouse sale in Sherborne, which runs on Thursday and Friday, March 2 and 3, with an estimated price of £5,000 to £10,000.

“It never ceases to amaze the wonderful items which we are instructed to auction,” said Charterhouse auctioneer, Richard Bromell.

“The owner was clearing a family property and came across the book and were delighted to hear how much it is worth.”

Photo: Charterhouse

A family member of the sketch book owners, Miss Leta Smith, worked as a Royal Archivist in Windsor Castle from 1924 to 1957.

She was awarded various medals for her service including an MVO (Member of the Victorian Order), presented to her by Queen Elizabeth II, which are also included in the auction and it is assumed the sketch book was given to her.

The book, along with the medals, personal letters and other ephemera belonging to Miss Leta Smith MVO, are all being sold by Charterhouse on Thursday, March 2, at their Sherborne salerooms.

Viewing is from February 28 onwards at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne. Alternatively, the sketch book and every page in the book can be viewed, with all their other lots, at www.charterhouse-auction.com.

Photo: Charterhouse

Charterhouse are also accepting further entries for their busy Spring programme of auctions, including classic and collector cars on March 9, classic and vintage motorbikes on March 30, Automobilia on April 4 and Asian Art on April 5.

Contact Mr Bromell and the team at Charterhouse on 01935 812277 or via info@charterhouse-auction.com.