Eleven Charles Dickens' first editions including a three-volume Oliver Twist are among 1,350 items going under the hammer in Norfolk next month.
The two-dale sale at Keys Fine Art Auctioneers includes 240 first editions from the extraordinary collection of the late Aylsham authors and bibliophiles David and Patricia Cory.
The sale includes first editions, autographed letters and other relevant material from Dickens, ghost writer M R James, Arthur Conan Doyle, William Somerset Maugham and John Le Carré, as well as many other authors.
Highlights include several first editions by late 19th century and early 20th century ghost writer M R James, including Wailing Well, complete with autographed letter (estimate £300-£350) and Ghost Stories of an Antiquary (£300-£350).
A first edition of John Le Carré's The Spy Who Came In From The Cold and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (as one lot, £300-£350) will also be among the items for sale.
And there are five first editions by 19th century Irish writer of Gothic tales, mystery novels and horror fiction John Sheridan Le Fanu, including Haunted Lives (£500-£600) and Uncle Silas, A Tale of Bartrum Haugh (£500-£600).
Another item that is sure to be of interest is a first edition of H G Wells' The Time Machine (£600-£800).
Dickens' three-volume Oliver Twist has an estimate of £200 to £300.
The Norfolk-based Corys amassed their collection of fantasy fiction, ghost stories, crime fiction and classics – all first editions – over several decades.
Patricia Cory, who was a published author herself, died last year.
Keys head of books Robert Henshilwood said: 'It is rare for the entire collection of genuine enthusiasts like David and Patricia Cory to come up for auction, and this sale is an opportunity for collectors to acquire all sorts of interesting first editions from the 19th and 20th centuries.'
Keys Fine auctioneers' books, maps, prints and ephemera sale takes place on Thursday, June 14 and Friday, June 15 at the firm's Aylsham saleroom, with online bidding at www.the-saleroom.com. Full details are available at www.keysauctions.co.uk
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