Hawk-eyed volunteers at the Oxfam book shop in Stevenage spotted a very rare book among the usual donations - which has now sold for £1,000.
The Beauty of the Heavens by Charles F Blunt, published by Tilt and Bogue of London in 1842, is a “pictorial display of the astronomical phenomena of the universe” and has 104 elegant illustrations.
According to the Smithsonian Libraries, the book was "intended to be an at-home astronomy guide for families. Each lithographed plate came with a lecture intended to be read aloud".
The donor had gift aided the book so Oxfam can claim a further £250.
Shop manager Becky Leach said “We are over the moon with this sale. The money raised will be enough to provide safe water for 50 families or food and water for 40 refugees”.
Rare and valuable books are sold through Oxfam’s online shop, onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk.
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