A rare three-page letter written by George Orwell has sold for £8,000 at auction in Stonehouse, after attracting strong interest as part of a wider literary archive.
The letter achieved a hammer price of £6,500 at the sale. Once the buyer’s premium was added, the final price reached £8,000. It had been given an estimate of between £5,000 and £8,000.
What the Orwell letter discussed
Orwell wrote the letter to Geoffrey Trease, a fellow left-wing writer, about the prospect of creating a left-leaning weekly publication for children.
The item was sold as one lot within an archive from Trease’s literary estate. The archive also included original manuscripts, signed books and presentation copies given to members of his family.
The sale was conducted by Quire Auctions in Stonehouse. The result means the letter reached the top of its pre-sale estimate before the buyer’s premium was included.
A ‘truly unique item’
Quire Auctions director Mark Skipper described the result as positive and highlighted the rarity and continuing demand for Orwell’s work.
“It’s a great result, and an exciting result.”
Mr Skipper said the letter’s importance was strengthened by its place within the Trease archive, alongside manuscripts, signed books and presentation copies.
“The Orwell letter being so rare, by an author that is increasingly sought after, and so politically charged, makes it a truly unique item, one we are sure will be appreciated by the buyer.”
The Stonehouse sale brought together material connected with Trease’s literary estate, with Orwell’s letter standing out as the archive’s particularly rare item. Its subject also offers a glimpse into a possible publishing project aimed at children and shaped by left-wing ideas.
Stroud Times reported the auction result in a story dated September 21, 2026, with the page also carrying an updated date of September 20, 2026.
