A SIGNED first edition of a Great War novel will raise hundreds of pounds for good causes, charity volunteers hope.

An edition of Sebastian Faulks’ Birsdsong was donated to the Oxfam Bookshop, in Cornmarket, Thame, which was sent to the author to sign.

It was then returned with the inscription “To commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War – and all that was lost.”

The book will now be sold in a sealed bid auction, starting today, with the winner announced at 11am on Monday, August 4 – the 100th anniversary since Britain entered the First World War.

The shop’s manager, Dick Jennens, said: “We are thrilled Mr Faulks took the time to sign and inscribing this book to Oxfam.

“We expect there to be lots of interest and so will run a sealed bid auction to raise the most amount for Oxfam’s work.”

Shop staff asked Oxfam’s head office to approach Sebastian Faulks because he contributed to a book of short stories the charity published in 2009.

It is thought first editions of Birdsong cost between £400 and £500, but Mr Jennens hopes it could fetch up to £700.

This would help pay for 200 buckets which would help refugees carry water, he said.

Mr Jennens said: “People have been so generous and we have a magnificent range of books about the war.

“Oxfam is responding to help refugees of many conflicts at the moment so we hope this raises much-needed funds for them.”

The auction will start at 9.30am today and will close at noon on August 2. Bids should be made directly to the shop.

 

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