A BROONS annual dating back to 1959, and bought at a car boot sale for 5p a number of years ago, was sold at auction in St Andrews yesterdayfor £1350.

The near 50-year-old edition, in excellent condition and focusing on the exploits of the famous family from Glebe Street, was a birthday gift to a young girl from the renowned artist Dudley D. Watkins.

However, its value rocketed because the front sleeve of the book contained a personally written and signed birthday message from Watkins to the youngster, called Rosemary, as well as an added bonus of an original ink drawing of the Oor Wullie character by the artist.

The annual came under the hammer at MacGregor’s auction rooms in Largo Road, St Andrews, yesterday and attracted offers from four interested buyers.

None of the bidders attended the sale and the highest pre-bid of £1350 wasn’t topped and the hammer came down without an offer coming from the floor of the auction room.

Auctioneer Sandra Urie said later, “We had estimated that it would go for £800 and over, but being an unknown quantity you can never be too certain.”

The book was purchased by a collector of Broons and Oor Wullie memorabilia from East Lothian. Among the unsuccessful bidders was Dundee Museum.

The annual was sold some years ago at a car boot sale and was part of a job lot which was bought for 5p by a man from the St Andrews area.