AN ANONYMOUS donation of 19th century books to the Oxfam Books and Music Shop, in North Street, Tavistock, has resulted in £550 being raised at auction for the charity.

Volunteers in the shop last month came across a box containing four books, dated 1866, which proved to be a French Atlas of Human Anatomy in four volumes. 

These were large format books of the highest quality, in excellent condition, containing beautiful medical illustrations. 

Mary Andrews, deputy volunteer book shop manager, said they generally had no idea who had delivered books to them and if, as in this instance, the box was closed, they had no idea what treasures were being donated. 

Mary said: 'We were, however, immediately aware that these books were special, and, following a fruitless search on the internet to give us some idea of their value, it was evident that there was nothing similar available on the on-line secondhand book market.'

In conjunction with the fine art auctioneers, Bonham's, Oxfam held their annual book auction in Oxford in June and the Tavistock volunteers were able to enter the books in the sale. 

Mary said: 'We are delighted to say that at £550.00, among all the valuable books sent from Oxfam shops all over the country, our books achieved the third highest price.

'We are so grateful to whomever was kind enough to donate these wonderful books. 

'This amount of money deployed by Oxfam GB, could, most appropriately, stock a library (£300), buy eight goats (£200) and provide care for a vulnerable child (£50) — a terrific outcome for a simple act of generosity and goodwill. 

'This gives us a really good start to Oxfam's National Bookfest taking place in July. 

'Our volunteers, all of whom are keen bibliophiles, work so hard, sorting, cleaning and pricing books, so such a success makes it all worthwhile,' she added.