A RARE 500-year-old book cover has been sold for an eye-watering price after being kept in an old trunk for decades.
The embroidered bible casing has been dated back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I – and went under the hammer for a whopping £120,000.
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This incredible artefact is decorated with the iconic Tudor rose design, complimented with vibrant yellow, blue and red flowers.
Before being auctioned at Cheltenham on Tuesday, the ancient piece had been locked away in an old trunk to keep it in pristine condition.
It had been well maintained by the previous owners, who held the priceless possession in their family for generations.
Originally, they thought their beloved book cover may be worth up to £20,000 – but an intense bidding war saw the price soar to an astonishing £120,000.
Auctioneer Elizabeth Poole told the BBC: “We were delighted with the outcome. This was a truly exceptional example of Elizabethan embroidery.
“Fabrics usually fade over time, but the colours on this bible cover were as vibrant as when they were first stitched.”
It was also believed the bible cover could have been crafted when James I ruled.
However, the classic Tudor rose pattern left historians to conclude it dates back to the later part of Elizabeth I’s reign.
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This comes as rare items are sold up and down the country for jaw-dropping prices.
A rare 20p coin went for a whopping £1,400 at an auction thanks to a unique detail.
The valuable gem minted in 1990 has sold at Tennants Auctioneers in Harrogate, North Yorks.
Meanwhile, a first edition copy of JRR Tolkein’s, The Hobbit, fetched £10,099.50 after being discovered by chance in a charity shop.
Plus, a dad-of-two is hoping his collection of Pokémon cards will see him earn thousands at auction.
Gordon White has already cashed in by selling half of his collection, which fetched a whopping £200,000 when it went under the hammer in November last year.
