£23k for a colouring book?

The bespoke handmade drawings in each 10-page book are crafted by British illustrator and children’s author Ian Beck, who will meet the buyer to cater for their specific order.

His illustrations are then printed on handmade paper and bound in fine leather, with the recipient’s name printed using 24-carat gold leaf lettering on the front of the book.

The whole package costs £23,900.

Mr Beck, 70, is best known for his Tom Trueheart children’s books that have sold more than a million copies, as well as illustrating the cover for Elton John’s album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

The artist, who is from Brighton, said he was really delighted to be able to take part in the project.

He said: “I anticipate the type of subjects people would like to have illustrated include: a portrait of themselves, their pets, their home, favourite holiday resort or a cottage in the country.

“This is an amazing keepsake and heirloom in the making for families.”

The bespoke colouring book is available from luxury gift website VeryFirstTo.

The site’s communications director Amar Thapen said the product has had a “very positive” response so far, with at least one potential buyer showing interest.

He added: “We are very well-known for creating luxury items. In this particular instance, we were looking at what is on trend and this is all about finding your way out of the digital world.

“Colouring books enable you to be completely focused and the repetitive nature of colouring hones the mind and allows you to hone creativity.

“No book on the market is bespoke and luxurious in this way.”

The bespoke colouring book is available with a number of additional extras, including gold-plating on the binder screws and a specific colour thread used for the stitching.

Marcel Knobil, founder of VeryFirstTo, said: “Colouring books are a wonderful antidote to today’s digital-driven world.”