Ref. 29778-65CLASSIC books by Swindon's most famous author will be auctioned in the town next week.

The books, by Richard Jefferies have been acquired from collections by Dominic Winter Book Auctions in Maxwell Street.

The firm is expecting strong interest from Jefferies' growing band of fans.

Jefferies, born at Coate in 1848, is one of the most highly-regarded nature writers of the Victorian era.

He died in 1887, but managed in his short life to produce dozens of novels, short stories, non-fiction works and articles.

The Jefferies books to be sold on Wednesday are first editions of 10 classics, from his first novel, Amaryllis at the Fair, to non-fiction including his book about red deer.

Chris Albury, an expert valuer at the auction house, said: "This is a local author who is still highly regarded his childhood home at Coate is a museum.

"There is a real market for his work.

"Like quite a lot of authors who are away from the real top level of popularity, he has a small but dedicated fan base which maintains interest."

The Jefferies items are expected to fetch a total of up to £460 at the auction.

Other lots of local interest include works by Alfred Williams (1877-1930), the Swindon railway worker who found time between shifts to teach himself classical languages and write haunting poetry and prose.

Four books A Wiltshire Village, Villages of the White Horse, Roundabout the Upper Thames and Folk Songs of the Upper Thames are among a group of volumes by various authors that deal with local geography.

Together, they are expected to raise up to £80.

Mr Albury said: "We find that Alfred Williams also attracts interest, particularly locally.

"There is a hard core of collectors who have come to his poetry through living in Wiltshire."

Also of particular interest to Swindonians at the sale is an auction catalogue dating from June of 1904, which details the sale of the old Rolleston Estate.

The estate consisted originally of open land in what is now "old" northern Swindon, land. The 1904 sale catalogue contains 103 lots, with information about each plot, including details of who held the lease.

Wednesday's sale begins at 11am. The following day there will be a sale of sports books and memorabilia, also beginning at 11am.

Dominic Winter Book Auctions can be contacted on 01793 611340 or at info@dominicwinter.co.uk

Barrie Hudson