A signed David Hockney print discovered in a donated book at a Salvation Army charity shop in Norwich has sold for £41,160 at auction. The print, found by volunteer Jemma Banks, had remained hidden inside a copy of Paper Pools for 46 years.
Discovery at the charity shop
Jemma Banks, a long-serving volunteer and local artist, was sorting through donations at the Goat Lane shop when she noticed a book titled Paper Pools. Flicking through the pages, she found an original signed print by Hockney, who died aged 88 last month. ‘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,’ Banks said.
Auction and sale
The Salvation Army Trading Company researched the print and listed it on the charity’s Collectables & Curiosity eBay shop. Bidding ‘quickly gathered pace’, and the artwork sold 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.’
Significance of the print
Published in 1980, Paper Pools features some of Hockney’s most celebrated swimming pool artworks. The inclusion of an original signed print made the book an ‘exceptionally rare collector’s piece’. 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.’
Hockney's legacy
David Hockney, one of the most celebrated British artists of modern times, died peacefully at home on June 11. He was known for his versatility, embracing digital art and iPad painting alongside traditional methods. He trained at Bradford School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London, graduating with a gold medal in 1962.
