Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Wainwright's notebook saved as auction estimate trebles


Plans for the famous series emerge from the meticulous pages, along with scorch marks from the writer's pipe baccy

Cumbrian auction of Wainwright's notebook
Maps and notes. But definitely no SatNav. The book and maps which will now be available for researchers. Photograph: H&H Auctions

The fellwalker A (for Alfred) Wainwright's notebook whose sale at auction was flagged up in the Guardian Northerner three weeks ago has been saved for public study at Cumbria county council's archive centre.
At a price. The auctioneers' guide of £2000-3000 for the neatly bound ledger, full of notes in the neat style perfected by Wainwright (no relation to the present writer) during his time as town clerk of Kendal, was left far behind as bidding reached £8,600.
The favourite buyer, the Wainwright Society, won the day but only after rivals including a persistent phone-bidder ratcheted up the price. The society's pockets were extended by individual enthusiasts who offered funding to ensure that the notebook went to the best possible home for it: the archive devoted to the fell wanderer and writer in the council's centre
Full story at The Guardian

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