What the Dickens have we got here?
Published Date:
03 September 2008
THE complete works of Charles Dickens - which could be worth hundreds of pounds - plus other literary gems have been donated to the Oxfam Shop in Berwick during recent weeks.
Other works of note include a second impression copy of Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam by Edward Fitzgerald from 1959 which is bound in brocade hard cover and supplied in a gold (card) box along with The Second World War Volume II - Their Finest Hour by Winston Churchill, which was first published 1949 (this is a later edition).
Shop manager, Naila Laundy, said she was delighted with residents' generosity.
"The compilation of Charles Dickens novels was handed to the Oxfam Berwick shop along with other donated books.
"On further research of the book, shop volunteers found it may be worth a lot of money and we are seeking advice as to the actual value of the book, which could be anything from £25-£500.
"As far as the Churchill book goes, we believe this may not be worth a lot of money, but may be of interest to a collector of Churchill's work.
"We would welcome anybody who is knowledgeable about books and can assist with valuations as well as categorising the books."
Oxfam is the largest second hand book seller in Europe. The Berwick shop has a book section offering an extensive range of titles, from fiction to biographies, mainly contributed by generous residents who donate their books as well as return read books purchased from the shop.
"One of our customers, who lives in the United States, visits regularly during holidays – he then posts the books back to us once he is finished with them," added Naila.
"A large book collection was bequeathed to the shop when a popular Berwick resident passed away last year.
"Quite a few of the books donated were first editions and have been sold at auctions – proceeds of these sales have gone to Oxfam.," she added.
Donations to Oxfam can help provide clean water, textbooks for students, small business training to name a few solutions to fight against poverty and injustice around the world.
"You can bring your books direct to the shop or use the book bank at Morrisons," added Naila.
The full article contains 374 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
03 September 2008 1:14 PM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Berwick