Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Darlington History Books To Sell At Tennants Auction

Local historians are promised some unique Darlington books, manuscripts and illustrations in Tennant’s forthcoming specialist Book Sale on Wednesday, 25th June 2008. This is an on-line sale whereby bids can also be made via the internet through www.the-saleroom.com

samuel-tuke-richardsonjpg.jpgA collection of illustrated notebooks and original artwork by Samuel Tuke Richardson is to be sold as one lot with an estimate of £600-£1,000. Richardson, who was born in Sunderland in 1846, worked at Backhouses Bank in Darlington as a book-keeper, and later lived in Piercebridge. His passions were horses, hunting and carriage driving and the collection contains numerous sketches and handwritten accounts of his adventures.

Some of the art work was used to illustrate a recent book by Jean Kirkland and the late Ray Roberts entitled ‘A Week on Wheels – Extracts from the Diaries of Samuel Tuke Richardson’. Paul Hughes, Tennants book specialist said, “The collection is being sold as one lot to try to keep it intact. It provides a wonderful view of local life at the turn of the last century”.

Another local artist represented at the sale is George A. Fothergill. Born in 1868 at Leamington, Fothergill moved to Darlington to practice as a doctor and quickly became immersed in the area’s architecture and sporting life. He wrote and illustrated several books including the much sought after ‘Old Raby Hunt Club Album’. The copy offered for sale at Tennants is a unique set of bound paper proofs and includes the author’s notes. It is expected to sell for £300-£500. Several other rare books by the author are to be sold including Fothergill’s own copy of Twenty Sporting Designs, with numerous annotations and proof notes. It is estimated at £200-£300. Mr Hughes believes Fothergill to be under-rated at the moment and says, “The books in this sale would make an excellent nucleus for anyone wishing to build a collection of Fothergill’s works”.

For local historians there is also the opportunity to purchase the working library of well known Darlington author, Vera Chapman. Vera has written numerous books on the area and, now retired, wishes to give other historians the opportunity to benefit from her extensive collection of reference books. The collection is to be sold in two lots, each with estimates of £200-£300.

Image – Extract from the Diaries of Samuel Tuke Richardson

Entries are being invited for Tennants Autumn Book Sale in September 2008. For more information please contact Paul Hughes at Tennants on +44(0)1969 623780