MARTIN TOMLINSON

A childhood autograph collection of motorsport heroes has inspired a new book of original artworks

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The treasured autograph book of popular automotive artist Martin Tomlinson has led him to create a series of paintings for a novel new publication. "My dad gifted it on my eighth birthday in 1958," he says. "From the Kentish 100 Trophy at Brands Hatch that August, I was on a mission to get all the famous drivers to sign it." 

From the first autograph he got, one Jack Brabham, Martin collected a wealth of stars over the following two decades: "Last year I showed my childhood treasure to author Andrew Marriott, and he had the idea of combining the autographs with a series of paintings. He agreed to write the words and I sorted the design."

Martin set to work, and the resulting 16 paintings, plus pencil sketches, kept him busy all year. Launched in October at the Royal Automobile Club's Art of Motoring exhibition, the self-published paperback entitled Joined up writing this time please - was bought by everyone who picked it up.