Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Arts: Collectors snap up rare Rupert Bear books

Sunday 05 October 1997 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An antique collection of Rupert Bear books went under the hammer yesterday, with a 1931 first edition of Monster Rupert being sold for pounds 1,100.

Demand was also strong for a collection of comics from the Second World War period, including the Wizard, Hotspur, Rover and Dandy, which sold for pounds 1,200. There were some pleasant surprises for the sellers, such as Rupert: Little Bear and the Ogres, which, despite being in poor condition, sold for pounds 300 because of its rarity.

A letter from AE Bestall, the second of the series of Rupert artists, fetched pounds 360, almost four times what was expected, while three 1930s Rupert badges sold for pounds 200, well above the predicted price.

Hamer 20th Century Books, which ran the sale at Dinnington, South Yorkshire, was "very pleased" with the pounds 25,000 total. But many other lots disappointed. A first Rupert Book, dated 1921, expected to go for pounds 600, failed to reach the reserve price. There was also no sale for Rupert and the Secret Trail, with a pounds 1,100 tag. A repaired Rupert the Little Lost Bear of 1921 did not reach its reserve of pounds 600, while a 1925 Rupert and the Old Miser went for a "bargain" pounds 200, less than half what was predicted.The Rupert Adventure Series, numbers 1-50, expected to fetch about pounds 1,000, were sold for just pounds 680.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in