Peter Howson sketch sells at auction - 11/02/2010

A small sketch by Scottish artist Peter Howsen has sold at auction for £1,680, it has been revealed.

The pencil drawing was composed when the artist was just 12-years-old and depicts his English teacher Mr Ness.

Believed to be the earliest sold piece of work, the piece was originally bought in 1970 for 1p.

Magda Ketterer from McTear's, the auction house that oversaw the sale, said that the significant increase in price was to be expected.

She said: "We always knew that 'Mr Ness' would attract a lot of interest so we were not surprised to see it make such a good price on the night.

"The drawing provides a fascinating insight into the young artist and it has certainly provided an excellent return on investment for the seller."

Howsen has sparked controversy with some of his works over the decades, none more so than Croatian and Muslim, a painting he created as official war artist in the Bosnian Civil War.