Rankin puts his stamp on charity fundraiser

Published on Monday 15 June 2009 10:02

FOR the avid Ian Rankin reader, it's a chance in a lifetime. A sneak early peak into the latest murky world crafted by the crime master awaits the highest bidder at a charity auction in the Capital.

Rankin has donated a unique copy of the first four pages of his forthcoming book to The Samaritans in Edinburgh to be auctioned off to raise funds.

While fans may have to break the bank to get their hands on it, the Merchiston author has shown he is far from precious about his work, simply stuffing the pages in an envelope and relying on a standard Royal Mail delivery to get it to the charity.

The opening pages from The Complaints – annotated in the author's hand – arrived safely with volunteers at The Samaritans' Torphichen Place office, and will be auctioned on 22 June, months ahead of the book's official release in September.

Auction organiser Anna Stevens said: "When I first opened the envelope, I read the heading, The Complaints, and thought it was an actual complaint. I soon realised what it actually was.

"It just arrived in a normal envelope, no special delivery or anything, with a first class stamp.

"This just seems to be in character with Ian Rankin."

Rankin is one of several high-profile Scottish figures who agreed to donate pieces of their work for the auction at Lyon and Turnbull in the city.

The Complaints, a novel set in Edinburgh, looks at the police force's complaints and conduct department – "The Dark Side", or "Complaints", as it is better known.

It follows the story of police officer Malcolm Fox, who, while working with the complaints team, learns dangerous information about an officer he is investigating.

Ms Stevens, who came up with the idea for the fundraising event to mark the 50th anniversary of The Samaritans' Edinburgh and Lothians branch, said: "I approached Ian and he told me he couldn't paint for toffee, but that he would offer the manuscript.

"I was very pleased. I had no personal experience of him before, but I knew he had supported the charity in the past."

It is not yet known how much the manuscript will fetch at auction, but owing to its rarity, and its release ahead of the book launch, it is expected to be a firm favourite with bidders.

The winning bidder will also receive a signed copy of the first edition of The Complaints in September.

Most of the other 45 items in the auction are art works, except for Rankin's contribution, and a handwritten, unpublished poem by city author Alexander McCall Smith. It is to form part of the sixth novel in his Isabel Dalhousie series, The Lost Art of Gratitude.

Ms Stevens said: "His piece also arrived in an envelope with only a first class stamp. I think if I were in charge of these works, I'd definitely be delivering them by hand."

Also featuring at the auction are works by Edinburgh artists Ann Ross and John Nelson, as well as a 19th century print by painter James Watterson Herald – donated by a Samaritans volunteer – which is expected to reach up to 6,000.

www.samaritansart.org.uk/catalogue