The postcard was sent from D H Lawrence to an Eakring woman in 1911.
A postcard from author D H Lawrence found in Bilsthorpe has sold for over £1,000.
The card, which was discovered by chance just as it was about to be thrown in a skip at a Bilsthorpe tip, sold yesterday at Hansons’ Library Auction, Bishton Hall, Staffordshire, for a hammer price of £1,500 – more than seven times its original estimate of £200-£250.
Seller Mrs Patricia Endean-Rowe, 71, a retired teacher, from Eakring, Nottinghamshire, gasped in shock as she watched the price hurtle upwards .
Afterwards, she said: “I can’t believe it – we’re absolutely delighted. It’s far more than we expected it to make. I’m trembling.”
The postcard was thought to have been lost years ago, but when Patricia was clearing out her late mother's bungalow with relatives, it was discovered by accident when a plastic box was about to be thrown into a skip at Bilsthorpe tip four years ago.
The handwritten and signed postcard was sent to Miss N Holderness, School House, Eakring, around 1911 and features a picture of Old School House and Rock Cottages, in Shirebrook, Derbyshire.
Amusingly, D H Lawrence was far from impressed by the north Derbyshire town, describing it as a "most hideous place – I contrast it with Eakring. Keep well – love to all – D H Lawrence’."
The four Holderness sisters, Nellie (Ellen Mary), Mabel, Elsie and Kitty, became acquainted with David Herbert Lawrence as Kitty was at teacher training college with him in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Their father, George Holderness, was a schoolmaster in Eastwood, Notts, where Lawrence was born.
Patricia said: “Kitty Holderness, my grandmother, went to college in Ilkeston with D H Lawrence. They were trainee teachers together. Family legend has it that Lawrence was enamoured with Kitty but we don’t know that for certain.
“Lawrence also gave two signed books to Kitty, a copy of Sons and Lovers and a poetry book, so they must have been fairly close.
“George Holderness became head of Eakring School and Lawrence visited the family at the School House. I’m told my great grandfather gave the author a wonderful reference for a teaching job in London. Lawrence wrote about a headmaster once and we did wonder if it was based on our great grandfather.
“Kitty was the only sister to have children, one of whom was my father. The sisters were all prolific postcard collectors.”
John Worthen, Emeritus Professor at the University of Nottingham, said the card was probably sent to Nellie on August 20, 1911, when her father, George, was running Eakring Public Elementary School.
Jim Spencer, books expert and associate director at Hansons, said: “This is in incredible result. There was quite a tussle for the card in the end but you can understand it. Lawrence is one of England’s most famous literary figures. His impact is still felt today and some of his books, such as Lady Chatterley’s Lover, have been adapted for film and television.
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This postcard written by D H Lawrence compares Eakring with Shirebrook.
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