There was a definite buzz in the air for Bloomsbury’s Literature, Manuscripts & Modern First Editions (6th December). The saleroom was packed, lines were humming and prices were extremely healthy. Publicity prior to the sale in national as well as regional newspapers, encouraged many new bidders.

The Ian Fleming first editions, mostly signed by the author, did very well – Bloomsbury holds world record prices for this author. Amongst the 31 first editions in this sale, Casino Royale with a full page inscription made £24,000 Moonraker sold for £10,200 and Thunderball went for £8,400 proving that the Bond titles continue to attract an enthusiastic response from the ever growing fan base.

Viewing for the sale was brisk even hours before the auction started. The journal of the notorious Admiral John Byng, who was executed on the deck of his ship in 1757 finally went for £16,800 well over its estimate. Another highlight of this eclectic sale was the heavily annotated bible of William Wilberforce, the guiding light of the anti slavery campaign. Signed, dedicated and copiously underlined and amended, he gave this bible to his daughter on her marriage. It was bought by a private collector for £24,000. Another interesting bible to capture the imagination, was Albert Pierrepoint’s signed and inscribed bible which he referred to as his ‘Guardian Angel’. Pierrepoint was Britian’s most prolific hangman of the 20th century and this too was bought by a private individual for £1,560 well over its estimate.

Posted: 12|19|07 at 10:28 am. Filed under: UK News.