Rare Sherlock Holmes first edition found in Oxfam shop sells for thousands

A first-edition novel from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s best-selling Sherlock Holmes detective series has sold for £11,520 at auction.

Titled The Sign Of Four, the novel is the second instalment in Sir Arthur’s globally successful series, which chronicles the adventures of the eccentric fictional detective.

The Scottish-born author first published his iconic sleuth series in the 19th century, and his creation has inspired many different adaptations, including the popular BBC TV series Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

Discovered at an Oxfam bookshop in Shrewsbury, the first-edition novel went under the hammer at Bonhams auction house on Thursday, ultimately fetching £11,520. Dating to 1890, the book notably includes its original red cloth binding from its publisher. It also contains a bookplate revealing it once belonged to James Burgess Boote of Gwernaffel, Knighton, who served as the High Sheriff for Radnorshire.

The first edition novel sold for over £10,000 Bonhams

Tom Cotton, manager of the Oxfam bookshop in Shrewsbury, expressed his delight at the discovery. "The book was donated by a very generous, regular donor who had always been delighted to see his books valued highly and placed in our cabinets," he said. Mr Cotton added: "Initially, I could tell the book was special – it was an early Sherlock Holmes story." He then humorously remarked: "However, when it comes to appraising antiquarian books, I do not have the power of deduction like Sherlock Holmes – I’m more of a Mrs Hudson. Determining the value was a real group effort," referencing the beloved characters from the famous detective series.

Ian Falkingham, of Oxfam, highlighted the significant impact of such sales. "The proceeds from books donated and sold via Oxfam go directly towards our work – whether that’s delivering life-saving aid in conflict zones or helping to provide clean water for communities that desperately need it," he explained. "A sale like this one is a reminder that extraordinary impact can come from unexpected places, and as Holmes himself knew, the most important evidence is often hiding in plain sight. We’d encourage anyone to donate their books to Oxfam, or come and browse – you never know what you might find."