Sale of historic library contents in Shropshire

Whitchurch auctioneers Trevanion & Dean have been asked to auction the contents of the library at the historic Hawkstone Hall in Shropshire.

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The library is an eclectic mix of books dating from 1520-1900 and formed an important part of the teaching library at Hawkstone Hall throughout the 20th century.

The grade 1 listed, early 18th century mansion near Hodnet in Shropshire was built between 1700 and 1725 by Richard Hill of Hawkstone (1655–1727), second of the Hill baronets, of Hawkstone. Brothers Rowland (1st Viscount Hill) and Robert Hill, who fought at the 1815 Battle of Waterloo.

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The financial difficulties of Rowland Clegg-Hill, the 3rd Viscount Hill meant that the hall was sold and the estate split in the early 20th century.

The hall was acquired after Lord Marchamley’s death by the Roman Catholic Redemptorist Order in 1926 and, until 1973, was a seminary, the current library includes philosophy, spirituality, theology and church teaching examples.

“It has been an absolute honour to have been asked to handle the auction of Hawkstone Hall Library, the dispersal of the library gives the buyer a unique opportunity to acquire a text from one of Shropshire’s most prestigious properties,” said Aaron Dean, partner at the firm of auctioneers.

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He continued, “The collection is a fascinating amalgamation of libraries from across the Roman Catholic faith and further field, it includes classic early historical works, sumptuous bindings, early missal’s, three volume work of Egypt and Nubia illustrated by David Roberts amongst many, many others!”

book_1Mr Dean has a wealth of experience in bibliotheca and has a vast experience in handling the dispersal of libraries including; the Taylor-Coleridge Library at Ottery St Mary, the private library of Yehudi Menuhin and the library of Elizabeth College, St Peter Port Guernsey amongst many others.

Mr Dean also holds the record for the most expensive George Orwell first edition ever sold, having auctioneered it himself up to a staggering £86,000.

The library will be offered as part of Trevanion and Dean’s next auction on the 23rd January 2016 at their premises on Station Road, Whitchurch.

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