A rare book of poetry by James Joyce could make the perfect Christmas present if you have £20,000 to spend.

Pomes Penyeach, by Joyce, complete with illustrations by his daughter, Lucia, is just one of nearly 500 lots to go under the hammer at Dominic Winter Book Auctions, in Maxwell Street, Swindon, next Thursday.

The sale features a large and extremely rare collection of Joyce's work, which previously belonged to a Reading resident.

The copy of Pomes Penyeach, dated 1932, is one of just 25 ever printed.

Valuer Phil Best said: "It is scarce indeed and the estimated price, at £20,000, reflects this. The book could go for much more because Joyce never goes out of fashion."

A first edition of Joyce's semi-autobiographical novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is also expected to fetch around £15,000.

Mr Best said: "This is a remarkable book because it still has a dust jacket. We are braced for some fast and furious bidding."

More modern works are set to command equally staggering prices.

A first edition of JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, printed in 1997, could fetch more than £8,000. The same book, in better condition, sold for £15,525 at Dominic Winter last December.

Mr Best said: "Condition is paramount. Just the smallest blemish or yellowing of pages can knock off thousands."

Copies of Philip Pullman's parallel universe fantasies His Dark Materials are poised to prove hot property. A first edition of Northern Lights, printed in 1995, is likely to make more than £3,000.

Mr Best said: "Our estimates tend to be conservative. Pullman is the new Rowling and we think they will sell very well."

Copies of the children's favourite Beatrix Potter books could make more affordable presents.

First editions of The Story of Miss Moppet, The Tale of Mrs Tittlemouse and The Tale of Little Pig Robinson are expected to sell for £300 each.

Popular books by C S Lewis, such as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, could be snapped up for as little as £70.

For something more cuddly, a stuffed Mickey Mouse doll might be just the ticket. The Disney character, dating back to the 1930s, is a little love-worn and carries a price tag of around £100.

Mr Best said: "He is a delightful doll and full of character."

Bidding for lots starts at 11am.