Four ”extremely rare” copies of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack found in a box of charity shop donations usually priced at 99p have sold at auction for £8,000.
Delighted charity shop staff from Oxfam in Hertford unearthed a battered book, which turned out to be the first four copies of the ”Bible of Cricket” bound into one volume.
The books were auctioned off at Bonhams annual Oxfam book sale in Oxford on Tuesday, with the 1864 edition selling for £3,120, 1865 for £2,280 and 1866 and 1867 for £1,150 each.
Andrew Currie, spokesman from Bonhams, said he was ”delighted” the books had reached the combined price of £8,520.
He said: ”It’s a great result for the books and even better because all of the money goes to such a good cause.
”We had 35 items from Oxfam in the sale but the Wisdens were our best sellers, which is not surprising given how desirable they are.”
An 1827 map of London dedicated to George IV with Royal arms and views of Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral also sold at the auction.
It was expected to reach £2,000 but was snapped up by an anonymous bidder for £4,800.
