First edition of ‘Birdsong’ specially signed by author for Thame

A first edition copy of the novel Birdsong has been donated to the Oxfam Bookshop in Thame, and the author, Sebastian Faulks has signed the book and added a unique inscription exclusively for the shop, which is to be sold by auction to raise money for the charity.

The shop in Cornmarket is dedicating its window display from Thursday, July 17,  for three weeks commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. With history, literature and poetry featured, the auction of the book will be the centrepiece of the display.

Bookshop Manager Dick Jennens said: “We are thrilled that Mr Faulks took the time to sign and inscribe this book for Oxfam.  His inscription reads: ‘To commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War – and all that was lost.’

 “The shop expects there to be lots of interest and we will be running a sealed bid auction to try to raise the most amount for Oxfam’s work.”

The sealed bid auction opens at 9.30am on Saturday,  July 19,  and closes at 12 noon on Saturday, August 2.  A reserve of £500 has been placed on the book.  The winning bid will be announced at 11am on Monday, August 4,  the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Dick continued:  “People in and around Thame have been so generous and we have a magnificent range of books about the First World War for the event. Oxfam is responding to help refugees of many conflicts at the moment, including Syria and South Sudan, and we hope that the first edition raises much needed funds for them.

“The book and the commemorative display has evoked memories for some of the shop’s volunteers, whose family members fought and survived the war. For two volunteers, their Grandfathers were captured and spent the war in Prisoner of War camps. One had to walk home from Belgium when the armistice was declared.

The grandfather of one of the younger volunteers served in the Royal Marines in battleships of the Grand Fleet and later was deployed to North Russia in July, 1919, in the North Russia Expeditionary Force. His military career was varied and included service on the staff of the Director of Combined Operations before and after D-Day.”

Anyone making a sealed bid for the book, needs to write their name, address and telephone number onto a sheet of paper, together with the value of the bid and either take it into the bookshop before 12 noon on Saturday, August 2, or post to: SEALED BID AUCTION, c/o Dick Jennens, Oxfam Bookshop, 9b Cornmarket, Thame, OX9 3DX.  Sealed bids can also be sent via email to:  oxfamshopf3715@oxfam.org.uk marking the subject line ‘Birdsong Bid’.