A signed David Hockney print, donated to a Salvation Army charity shop in Norwich, has sold for £41,160 after being discovered by a sharp-eyed volunteer. The print, tucked inside a copy of the book Paper Pools for 46 years, was auctioned online and drew intense bidding.
Discovery at Norwich Charity Shop
Jemma Banks, a long-serving volunteer and local artist, noticed the donated book contained something special. Flicking through the pages, she found an original signed print that had remained hidden since 1978. The Salvation Army Trading Company and its eBay store researched the item and listed it for auction.
The print, titled Lithographic Water Made of Lines, Crayon, and Two Blue Washes, is from Hockney's celebrated swimming pool series. Published in 1980, Paper Pools features Hockney's pool artworks, and the inclusion of an original signed print made it an exceptionally rare collector's piece.
Auction Success
The charity reported that bidding “quickly gathered pace,”最終 selling for £41,160. The anonymous buyer said: “I’ve admired David Hockney’s work for many years, so acquiring such an iconic piece is incredibly special. I’m delighted that, at the same time, the purchase will help support the invaluable work of The Salvation Army.”
Ms Banks added: “It was a privilege to hold a genuine signed David Hockney print in my hands, and I was amazed that it had remained safely inside the book for 46 years, looking as fresh as the day it came off the lithographic press. As a local artist, I recognised that the book might be something special, but I never imagined just how significant it would turn out to be.”
Impact on Charity Work
Major Tracey Bale, who leads The Salvation Army’s Norwich Citadel, said: “Jemma’s knowledge and curiosity made all the difference. Thanks to her recognising that this was far more than an ordinary donated book, an incredible piece of art has been preserved and transformed into vital funds for our work. Our volunteers see thousands of donations every week, and this story highlights the expertise, care and dedication they bring every single day.”
Hockney, one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, died peacefully at home on June 11 at age 88. He was known for his innovative use of different formats, including digital art and iPads. Trained at Bradford School of Art and the Royal College of Art, he graduated with a gold medal in 1962 and became a seminal figure in modern British art.
