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Rare book hits high note with charity
Betty Anderson29/11/2006
A RARE book handed in to a Wilmslow charity shop has been snapped up for a whopping £500.
The limited edition of an opera by Richard Wagner and illustrated by Arthur Rackham, was on the shelves at Oxfam, in Ware Lane.
Despite the hefty price tag the book was just the ticket for the anonymous buyer who didn't flinch at the cost.
In fact, he was delighted, said shop manager, Gwendaline Garner.
The book, Seigfried and the Twilight of the Gods was part of Richard Wagner's epic opera series, The Ring, and contained stunning signed drawings.
Rackham was famous for his dark, emotive, twisting imagery, and is well known for his illustrations in many popular children's classics.
During his career, spread over the 19th and 20th century, he illustrated copies of Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and The Brothers Grim.
Gwendaline Garner said: "Books are often given where the donor is unaware of its value.
"This book was given by a member of the public.
"The donation represents the value that people often don't know is buried in their homes."
Oxfam has access to expert valuations on books, artwork, jewellery and other donated goods and often they are sent to other shops in the UK to make sure they realise their potential.
But Gwendaline said the Wilmslow branch often hangs on to rare books.
"You might expect such a sale to take a long time," Gwen explains.
She added: "This isn't the first book we've sold, a lovely copy of Peter Pan went not long ago.
"It can be difficult attracting the specialist buyers to our shop, but it's much better if there's something rare and interesting for people to look at when they come. Surprisingly this book went in a flash."
Seigfried and the Twilight of the Gods is the final in the trilogy for Wagner's Ring Series, which lasts 24 hours.
Illustrated from front to back by artist Arthur Rackham drawings are signed by him.
His first works were published in 1839 and as well as illustrating many books he held several exhibitions in the Louvre, Paris.
Rackham is famous for highly emotive, dark imagery with many pictures featuring trees that come to life - the things of nightmares and dreams.
As with all donations to Oxfam, the money received will aid one of the many projects the charity is involved in.
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8/12/2006 at 08:04
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