Hockney print found in charity book sells for £41,160

A signed David Hockney print hidden inside a donated book has sold at auction for £41,160. The artwork was discovered by a volunteer at a Salvation Army charity shop in Norwich and sold to an anonymous bidder on the charity's eBay site.

The piece was found inside a 1980 copy of Hockney's Paper Pools, a publication featuring some of his most celebrated swimming pool artworks. Volunteer Jemma Banks, a local artist, found the original lithograph when she thumbed through the book, which had been donated over the counter a year ago.

Hockney died last month aged 88. The £41,160 winning bid for this exceptionally rare collector's piece demonstrates the sustained market demand for authenticated works following the artist's death. It also illustrates how high-value cultural assets can bypass traditional auction houses, instead moving directly through informal secondary market channels like charity shops.

"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. "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."

The anonymous buyer emphasized the cultural weight of the acquisition. "I've admired David Hockney's work for many years, so acquiring such an iconic piece is incredibly special," the buyer said. "I'm delighted that, at the same time, the purchase will help support the invaluable work of The Salvation Army."

For the charity, the accidental discovery translates directly into operational funding. "Thanks to [Jemma] 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," said Maj Tracey Bale, who leads The Salvation Army's Norwich Citadel.