Rare books discovered in Oxfam shops raise over £70,000 at auction

Rare books and music memorabilia discovered in Oxfam shops across the UK have raised more than £70,000 at auction, highlighting the extraordinary treasures that can be found among everyday donations.

The standout lots, discovered by Oxfam volunteers and shop teams in Birmingham, Bristol and Aberystwyth, included a rare first edition of The Hobbit, a signed first edition of The Waves by Virginia Woolf and a signed copy of Paul McCartney In His Own Words.

The highest-selling item was a first edition, second impression of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, discovered at Oxfam's Harborne shop in Birmingham. Donated alongside a collection of otherwise unremarkable books, the rare edition sold for £38,400 after staff recognised its significance.

A signed first edition of The Waves by Virginia Woolf, found at Oxfam's Cotham Hill bookshop in Bristol, sold for £25,600. The book, inscribed "Virginia Woolf Oct. 1931", was spotted by volunteer Maria Fenner while checking prices on older books. Maria recruited another volunteer and keen historian, Angela Iliff, to compare it with authenticated signature examples and scrutinise publication dates, and on realising it could be a signed first edition, they alerted the rest of the shop team. Their careful research led to the book being authenticated before it went under the hammer.

Meanwhile, a signed copy of Paul McCartney In His Own Words, discovered among a collection of 1970s memorabilia at Oxfam's Aberystwyth shop, sold after staff found the former Beatle's inscription: "All the best! to ye!"

Together, the three discoveries raised more than £70,000 to support Oxfam's work tackling poverty and inequality around the world.

Ian Falkingham, Oxfam's books expert, said: "These remarkable discoveries show the extraordinary difference donations to our shops make. Together, they've raised more than £70,000 to help fund Oxfam's work tackling poverty and responding to disasters and humanitarian crises, including the ongoing emergency in Venezuela."

The auction is the latest example of the remarkable items that pass through Oxfam shops every year. Oxfam is encouraging people to donate their unwanted books, music memorabilia and collectibles, or visit their local shop, where every donation and purchase helps fund the charity's work.