Oxfam find valaubale book

Ibookcollector - newsletter 242

Yet another valuable book has been found by volunteer Andrew Chapman for Oxfam but this time instead of selling the volume it was given back to its original owner.

Two years ago Mr Chapman found an untidy copy of Rumour at Nightfall by Graham Greene. This first edition of the 1930s novel fetched about £15,000 at auction, the most expensive book Oxfam has ever sold.

The new ‘find was a book which was donated anonymously was a 1556 Italian history of the Dukes of Ferrara called Commentario delle cose di Ferrara. A tiny stamp at the back of the book indicated it had once belonged to the Royal Society, in London, and Mr Chapman contacted staff so he could return it. After examining one of the society’s catalogues it emerged that the book had once belonged to Thomas Howard, the Duke of Norfolk in 1681, and was one of the first books to form the Royal Society’s library.

The society was delighted to get the book back and has promised to make a donation to Oxfam.