Rare glimpse into history as North York Moors farmer's ancient library of agricultural books goes under the hammer

Martin Henry Burtt was a well-known figure in the North York Moors agricultural community, who began farming at York House in Glaisdale in 1967.

Now a vast agricultural library he amassed over five decades is to go under the hammer, granting a remarkable insight into historical change.

Tennants auctioneer Jane Tennant said the 180-lot collection features works from leading agricultural writers dating back many hundreds of years.

She said: "We've got everything from the 1600s up to the 19th century covered in these books. That paints a picture of how much it has changed in that time.

"This really is an historical record. It's interesting to look back - it does come full circle."

Fascinated by farming as a boy, Mr Burtt was known for a keen enquiring mind and as an innovator even in the early days of York House, now run by one of his triplet sons. He was the first to own a Charolais bull in the area and the first to bring in Texel sheep, both of which are now firmly established across Yorkshire's farms.

Mr Burtt was also a key figure in the NFU, serving on committees such as the Dairy Board, Wages Board, and Hill Farming Committee, and rising to become Deputy National Chairman.

In auction houses and antiquarian book shops he was also well known, taking great pains to preserve his collection and with book bindings cautiously cared for.

Now, represented in the collection are greats such as Gervase Markham, Leonard Mascall and Jethro Tull, showing how each built on the work of previous generations.

Ms Tennant said: "He was a farmer, and I suppose he was probably buying a lot of these books as reference texts. But like any collection you get the bug for it. I think it probably became a passion, the collection, as much as an interest in agriculture and the land."

A single owner collection such as this, she added, paints a picture of someone's passion.

"It may seem niche, but when you get into it there are a huge number of different topics," she said. "We've got everything from the complete farrier and horse doctor, through to beekeeping, sheep breeding, land stewarding. There's even one on bog draining."

Tennants Auctioneers are selling The Glaisdale Agricultural Library: The Private Collection of a Yorkshire Agriculturalist today.

Among lots are such texts as Jethro Tull's The New Horse-Houghing Husbandry, published in 1731 and with an estimate of £1,500 to £2,500 plus buyer's premium.Another, Joseph Blagrave's The Epitomie of the Art of Husbandry’, from 1685, has an estimate of £400 to £600.