- Published

A signed print by the British artist David Hockney has sold for more than £41,000 after being found in a book donated to a charity shop.

The print was discovered inside a 1980 copy of Hockney's Paper Pools, which had been donated over the counter to the Salvation Army shop in Lower Goat Lane, Norwich, a year ago.

When a volunteer decided to thumb through it recently, she discovered the original print depicting a swimming pool, signed by the artist, who died last month aged 88.

The book and print were auctioned on the charity's eBay site and an anonymous, but "delighted", bidder paid £41,160.

Long-serving Salvation Army volunteer and local artist Jemma Banks, who found the print, said: "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. I'm delighted that something hidden away for so long will now help raise money for people in our community who need it most."

Hockney's Paper Pools book contains some of the artist's most celebrated swimming pool artworks.

The original signed print enclosed within the book made it an "exceptionally rare collector's piece", the Salvation Army said.

Maj Tracey Bale, who leads The Salvation Army's Norwich Citadel, said: "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."

The anonymous buyer told the charity: "I've admired David Hockney's work for many years, so acquiring such an iconic piece is incredibly special.

"I'm delighted that, at the same time, the purchase will help support the invaluable work of The Salvation Army.

"It's wonderful to know that something with such cultural significance can also make a meaningful difference to people's lives."

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