13/05/2022 Latest News
A 16th century Bible in English described as ‘the finest condition early Bible I have ever come across’ by Keys' head of books was one of the star lots in the May Book & Ephemera Sale, which took placve on 11th and 12th May. Published by Christopher Barker in 1583, the black letter volume of the ‘Bishop’s Bible’ sold for £1,950, in the upper end of its pre-sale estimate of £1,500-£2,000.
Meanwhile a collection of five early autograph letters from H.G.Wells smashed its estimate of £250-£300, with the hammer falling at £1,450. The letters, dating from between 1888 and 1893, relate to Wells applying for teaching positions.
Other highlights of the sale included:
- A first edition of Agatha Christie's 'Death on The Nile', which sold for £330 (estimate £80-£120)
- A 1944 first edition of Cyril Connolly's 'Palinunus: the Unquiet Grave', along with a letter from George Orwell requesting a favourable review of the book, which sold for £720 (estimate £100-£150)
- A 1785 sixth edition of Samuel Johnson's 'A Dictionary Of The English Language', which sold for £130 (estimate £60-£90)
- A 1948 Rupert the Bear Annual, which sold for £150 (estimate £80-£120)
Keys' next Book Sale takes place on 7th and 8th July.