Rare First Edition of To Kill a Mockingbird Found in London Charity Shop
Workers at an Oxfam bookshop on Portobello Road in London announced the discovery of a rare first US edition of To Kill a Mockingbird, which was subsequently acquired by the British Library’s Eccles Institute for the Americas and Oceania following an assessment of its condition.
Portobello Road Charity Shop Unearths American First Edition
Thrift store discoveries often yield unexpected literary treasures. Olivia Haysman-Walker, manager of the Portobello Road Oxfam shop, explained that deputy manager Gurpreet Karlcut first noticed the hardback while sorting through a recent donation of American books. Haysman-Walker subsequently researched the print dates, jacket design, and binding to confirm its status as a first U.S. edition, fourth impression.
Pristine Pages Survive Worn Dust Jacket
While the dust jacket showed visible wear around the edges—suggesting it had served as a reading copy—the pages inside remained in unblemished condition, with no torn or written-on leaves. The rarity of the volume commanded substantial attention, with first editions of the classic novel traditionally valued between thousands and tens of thousands of pounds.
National Collection Secures the Volume Online
Rather than remaining on open retail shelves, the book was listed on Oxfam’s online shop. Staff from the British Library’s Eccles Institute for the Americas and Oceania spotted the listing online, contacted the shop to verify its authenticity, and ultimately purchased the volume for the national collection. Haysman-Walker personally delivered the book to the library.
Proceeds Fuel Global Humanitarian Initiatives
The proceeds from the sale directly support Oxfam’s global charitable initiatives, including humanitarian responses to poverty, conflict, and natural disasters such as severe flooding in Nepal. Haysman-Walker noted that the Portobello Road shop frequently receives remarkable literary donations due to a generous local community, having previously housed first editions of The Lord of the Rings and early printings of Alice in Wonderland.
Second Hand September Highlights Hidden Treasures
The discovery coincides with Second Hand September, a reminder of the kind of treasures that can be hiding among the shelves and donations in shops.