Record-Breaking Christian Aid Sale Returns

Tuesday May 9 2017

A first edition Winnie the Pooh and two historic books by an 18^th century Scottish explorer are among the highlights at this year’s Christian Aid Week sale at St Andrew’s and St George’s Church, Edinburgh.

Hundreds of volunteers and experts from as far afield as America and Europe have been keenly sorting and pricing over 60,000 donated books and collectables for the sale, which opens on Saturday.

The first edition of AA Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, published in 1926, is bound in green cloth, embossed with gilt, in the original dust jacket designed by E H Shepard. 

Another rare find is a complete set of his ‘Stories of the Kings of Norway’ known as ‘The Saga Library’, by visionary Victorian designer and political activist, William Morris (1834-1896).

There are also two historic books written by Scottish explorer Mungo Park: ‘Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa’ and ‘The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa’ published in 1799.

Mary Davidson, Sale Convener said; “Traditionally the sale is a celebration of Scots history and literature with a wealth of Scottish books for collectors. Outstanding are the two magnificent volumes, with his ground-breaking maps, of the works of heroic Scots explorer Mungo Park of Selkirk.

“In 1795, he travelled to West Africa in search of the source of the River Niger. The twenty-four-year-old explored the area, now known as Senegal and Mali, where no European had ever been, mapping it and recording the expedition whist enduring terrible adversity. He made two expeditions there, the second in 1804, and although he traced the River Niger to its source, he perished horribly in its rapids in 1806. The story of this Borders Scot, friend of Sir Walter Scott, is a tremendous one. It is a privilege for us to be able to offer these books for sale”.

The annual sale, which includes antiques, pictures, records, sheet music and toys started 43 years ago, and has raised several million pounds for Christian Aid. This year’s patron is Sir Timothy O’Shea, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh.

James Holloway, former Director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and convener of the sale of pictures said; “Every year the sale includes paintings guaranteed to delight.  This year is no exception.  There are views from all across Scotland from the Firth of Clyde to the beaches of Gullane and Portobello, from the Highlands to the Borders. This is a chance to buy a work by a celebrated artist at a very reasonable price.  And every pound spent, of course, helps to alleviate suffering across the world”.

The sale is open on Saturday May 13 from 10am-4pm, then Monday May 15 - Friday May 19 from 10am-3.30pm (7pm on Thursday).

Post Tags: book sale

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