Barbara Taylor Bradford Inscribed First Editions, Writing Desks, and Typewriter to Auction

Nearly 200 lots telling the writing story of Barbara Taylor Bradford go under the hammer at Doyle on May 7 including her favourite typewriter, paintings of her dogs, jewelry and rare first editions of her own works.

The British writer and journalist (1933- 2024) made her name with A Woman of Substance (1979) and wrote 40 novels, selling more than 92 million copies. She collected first editions of her novels, many gifted by her publisher, leather bound, which she displayed in her library. Among those offered at the auction is a a first edition of A Woman of Substance with a handwritten dedication from Barbara to her husband Bob Bradford (estimate: $300-$500) to coincide with the publication of Hold The Dream and its television miniseries premiere: "Oct. 1984 To my dearest Bob/Who not only helps me to "Hold the Dream" - my own dream - but makes all things possible. All of my love, always, Barbara Taylor Bradford."

Among the lots are two of her writing desks, a 20th century Louis XVI style gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau plat  (estimate: $800-$1,200) and a 20th century George III style burl walnut desk (estimate: $500-$700). “Barbara hand-picked her writing desks, all had to have drawers and the space for lots of paper to spread out," said Vicki Downey, co-trustee of The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust and one of her closest friends. "Tucked away in one of the drawers was a small shoe box, filled with new novel ideas that she would have while writing a current novel, ready for Barbara to delve into as soon as she had sent off her finished manuscript.”