Historic books on sale to repairShandy Hall shrine to writer

Paul Jeeves

NEARLY 100 historic books and prints will be auctioned off to raise funds for a house which is a shrine to fans of literature.

The lots, some of which date from the 14th century, will be sold to help finance repairs to Shandy Hall in the North Yorkshire village of Coxwold.

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The property is best known as the home of author Laurence Sterne, who wrote the now classic novel The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman while living there.

The collection of books and prints will be sold at Tennants Auctioneers in Leyburn on Wednesday next week. It is hoped up to 5,000 will be raised for the Laurence Sterne Trust, which owns Shandy Hall.

Among the lots are an Italian choir book leaf dating from the 14th century as well as an 1858 print by Nathaniel Whittock, called Bird's Eye View of York.

Organiser Peter Miller, who is a trustee of the Laurence Sterne Trust as well as a partner of Ken Spelman Books in York, said: “There are some fascinating items up for sale, and every penny raised will go to the trust to help pay for the repairs.”

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Sterne, who was the vicar of Coxwold for eight years up until his death in 1768, renamed his house Shandy Hall after his fictional hero’s ancestral home.

It has since attracted legions of fans who flocked there after his death.

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