THE RUSH for Oor Willie memorabilia shows no sign of abating, with a Dudley D. Watkins-inscribed autograph book expected to fetch up to £1500 at auction in Perth next month.

The book, put up for sale at Lindsay Burns & Co by a woman from the Highlands, features a page with the instantly-recognisable faces of the cartoon scamp and The Broons’ Paw and the Bairn, drawn in pencil by the legendary illustrator.

The seller was living in Fife in April 1952 when she had the book inscribed.

An autograph book featuring a single picture by Watkins sold for £700 at the same auction house in December.

Auctioneer Nick Burns said, “Because there are three characters in this one, it is quite a rare thing and I would expect a lot of collectors to be interested.

“The sale we had in December had a number of interested parties and the successful buyer and under-bidders who were not successful did express an interest in buying such things in the future.

“I think the sort of people who are interested are people who read the strips as children and are now at an age where they have some disposable income and can afford to buy genuine signed sketches like this.”

The book will be auctioned on April 29.

Among other items to be sold will be the contents of Strathgarry House in Killiecrankie and a portrait of former Prime Minister William Gladstone by German painter Franz von Lenbach.

A valuation day, when people can have items valued by experts, will be held on Thursday.