THE signature of Lakeland poet William Wordsworth is featured in a rare Victorian autograph book, which is being sold next week.

The album, worth £20,000 and containing 325 separate entries, is being used as a centrepiece to draw in crowds at a bookfair at Bolton Abbey, near Skipton, next Thursday, to raise money for ABF The Soldier’s Charity.

The book was put together in the last century by a woman in the Midlands and has been in the same family until recently, when it was bought by Neil Summersgill of Fine and Antiquarian Books.

It contains 325 separate entries from icons including Charles I, William Wordsworth, Lord Tennyson, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Charles Dickens, and Queen Charlotte and also a letter by Methodist founder Charles Wesley describing his brother John being attacked by a mob.

Mr Summersgill is not donating the proceeds of the sale to charity, but delayed selling the book until the event so that it could be used to draw in crowds for the fundraising event.

He said: “What is outstanding about this album is the number of letters that it contains.

“Many autograph albums contain mere signatures cut from letters which, whilst collectable in themselves, tell nothing of the writer.

“Letters however can be historically important, in which the writers gives something of themselves, leaving an indelible impression, and they are far more valuable both historically and financially.”

He added: “Most of today's autograph collectors seek sports and television celebrities, who are in the main ephemeral people soon to be forgotten.

“Authors, poets, artists, scientists, philosophers, thinkers, inventors, industrialists, they tend not to hog the limelight, but in the long run it is they who will make their mark on history.”

The book fair will be held at The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel, Bolton Abbey on Thursday, March 3.

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, previously known as the Army Benevolent Fund, supports soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need.