Five books for nostalgic gifts this Christmas

For those who have left their Christmas shopping a little late, there are some mid-December auctions where bidders can pick up some brilliant books.

Life with the Beatles

On December 16, Forum Auctions holds its Books and Works on Paper sale, featuring nearly 280 items. Among the lots is Liverpool Days (above), a book of photographs that Astrid Kichherr and Max Scheler took of The Beatles as they worked and lived in England after their stint in Hamburg. This copy, number 1718 of 2500 copies signed by the photographers, is offered with an estimate of £150-200.

View and bid for the book here.

Fairy tale days

Stories from Hans Andersen is offered with an estimate of £150-200 at Forum Auctions’ Books and Works on Paper sale on December 16.

Also from Forum is this book of stories by Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish author of fairy tales such as The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling. Offered with an estimate of £150-200, the 1927 book features 14 tipped-in colour illustrations by Edmund Dulac.

View and bid for this book of fairy tales here.

Stories from Narnia

This complete set of The Chronicles of Narnia first editions is offered at Dominic Winter’s auction of Children’s Books & Illustrations, Playing Cards, Modern First Editions & Autographs on December 16 with an estimate of £7000-10,000.

Also on the 16^th at the Cirencester saleroom, Dominic Winter holds its auction of Children’s Books & Illustrations, Playing Cards, Modern First Editions & Autographs. There are plenty of single volumes available, but there is also this complete set of CS Lewis first editions from his Chronicles of Narnia series. These Geoffrey Bles volumes were published from 1950-56 and are offered together with an estimate of £7000-10,000.

View and bid for this complete set of the Chronicles of Narnia books here.

Totally Tintin

This collection of seven Tintin books published in London has an estimate of £180-220 at Hanson’s Christmas Library & Harry Potter Auction at Bishton Hall on December 16.

Another set of seven books goes under the hammer at Hanson’s Christmas Library & Harry Potter Auction at Bishton Hall on December 16. This is a collection of Tintin books by Hergé published in London by Methuen & Co from 1960-62. Titles include The Seven Crystal Balls, The Shooting Star and Tintin in Tibet. The are estimated to take £180-220.

View and bid for this collection of Tintin books here.

Harry Potter power

This first edition, first issue signed copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets has an estimate of £3000-5000 at Hanson’s Christmas Library & Harry Potter Auction at Bishton Hall on December 16.

Lot one in Hanson’s Christmas Library & Harry Potter Auction at Bishton Hall on December 16 is a first edition, first issue inscribed copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second book in the series. The 1998 hardback is signed: To Jill, who very spookily gave me a beautiful card with something from Book Four on it! With many thanks, J K Rowling. In good condition, the volume has an estimate of £3000-5000 and goes under the hammer on December 16.

View and bid for this Harry Potter book here.