Shrewsbury, UK – In a recent auction hosted by Halls Fine Art at the Battlefield saleroom, a 1613 King James version of the Holy Bible by Robert Barker fetched £4,600, marking another notable sale following the £6,500 transaction of a 1551 Matthew Bible earlier this year.
Among the highlights of the £100,000 auction, the ‘Architect’s Archive’ of John Douglas, the distinguished architect known for his prolific work across Cheshire and beyond, exceeded expectations by selling for £2,100. The archive, originating from Walmoor Castle, Cheshire, included sepia photographs of various estates, watercolours, a family Bible, and other valuable materials reflecting Douglas’s Gothic Revival style.
Another coveted item was a book featuring 81 drawings of birds by Edward Lear, introduced by David Attenborough and published in a limited edition by the Folio Society in 2012. Originally priced at £895, it commanded £1,450 at the auction, underscoring its desirability among collectors.
Other notable sales included an 1894 first edition of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’, illustrated by Hugh Thomson and adorned in a spectacular ‘Peacock’ binding, which fetched £950. Additionally, a set of 14 Inspector Morse novels inscribed by author Colin Dexter to his secretary, Daphne Woodhouse, sold for £900, reflecting the enduring popularity of Dexter’s detective series.
A local collector secured a vibrant 1911 Shrewsbury Flower Show poster, notable for its full-color printing and impressive length of nearly seven feet, for £800 after competitive bidding.
Chris Moore, Halls Fine Art’s books specialist, expressed satisfaction with the auction’s results and invited submissions for their upcoming books, coins, and stamps auction scheduled for November 6. Prospective sellers are encouraged to contact Halls Fine Art at 01743 450700 or email [email protected] for further details.
The success of these sales underscores the enduring appeal of rare and historically significant items in the auction market, attracting both local and international collectors alike.