Tom Cotton, the manager of Oxfam’s Shrewsbury shop, opened a donated stack of old novels and spotted a crisp red‑cloth volume that bore the title The Sign of Four. The book’s 1890 imprint and gilt lettering on the cover flagged it as a first‑edition copy of Arthur Conan Doyle’s second Sherlock Holmes novel.
Cotton consulted Oxfam’s book‑development team and a specialist who confirmed the edition and noted the bookplate reading ‘James Burgess Boote, Gwernaffel, Knighton, High Sheriff of Radnorshire,’ tying the volume to a notable 19th‑century owner.
The item was consigned to Bonhams and sold on 26 March 2026 for £11,520, a price that reflects the book’s pristine condition and historic provenance.
Oxfam said the proceeds will fund its life‑saving programmes, including clean‑water initiatives in conflict‑affected regions, and highlighted how a single donated book can generate significant impact.