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'Iconic' rare item spotted at Salvation Army charity shop sells for 41,000

A signed David Hockney print handed in at The Salvation Armys charity shop in Norwich has sold for more than 41,000 after being spotted by an eagle-eyed volunteer

[at The Salvation Armys charity shop in Norwich]

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The print was found at The Salvation Armys charity shop in Norwich(Image: Google Maps )

An extremely rare item found in a charity shop has sold for more than 41,000.

A volunteer at The Salvation Armys charity shop in Norwich noticed that a donated book contained an original signed print by David Hockney, who died aged 88 last month.

A copy of Paper Pools was donated over the counter last year. It was long-serving volunteer and local artist Jemma Banks who noticed how valuable the donation might be.

Flicking through the pages, she found an original signed print that had remained tucked safely inside the book for 46 years.

The print was researched by the Salvation Army Trading Company and online eBay store, and the book was then listed for auction on The Salvation Armys Collectables & Curiosity eBay shop.

[Hockney died peacefully at home on June 11]

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Hockney died peacefully at home on June 11(Image: Getty Images)

The charity said bidding quickly gathered pace - with the artwork selling for a staggering 41,160. The buyer, who asked to remain anonymous, is said to be thrilled with his purchase.

He said: Ive admired David Hockneys work for many years, so acquiring such an iconic piece is incredibly special.

Im delighted that, at the same time, the purchase will help support the invaluable work of The Salvation Army. Its wonderful to know that something with such cultural significance can also make a meaningful difference to peoples lives.

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. Im delighted that something hidden away for so long will now help raise money for people in our community who need it most.

['Lithographic Water Made of Lines, Crayon, and Two Blue Washes' by British artist David Hockney]

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'Lithographic Water Made of Lines, Crayon, and Two Blue Washes' by David Hockney(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Published in 1980, Paper Pools details some of Hockneys most celebrated swimming pool artworks. The original signed print enclosed within the book made it an exceptionally rare collectors piece, The Salvation Army said.

Major Tracey Bale, who leads The Salvation Armys Norwich Citadel and works closely with staff at the shop, said: Jemmas 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. Every donation matters, and occasionally one arrives that has an extraordinary story to tell.

One of the most celebrated and influential British artists of modern times, Hockney died peacefully at home on June 11, his publicist Erica Bolton said.

During his lifetime, Hockney was lauded for his use of different formats, embracing digital art and the use of iPads as much as traditional painting.

He trained at the Bradford School of Art in the 1950s, followed by the Royal College of Art in London, where he graduated with gold medal distinction in 1962 and subsequently emerged as one of the seminal talents in the new generation of British artists.

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