Agatha Christie's 'insightful' letters up for auction

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Dawn LimbuWest of England

Getty A black and white photo of Agatha Christie sitting on a chair as she signs a book. She is smiling at he camera and is wearing a hat, a black blouse and a pearl necklace.

A collection of items from English crime author Agatha Christie's housekeeper are set to make more than £1,000 at auction.

Items from Phyllis Rice, the former housekeeper of Christie's holiday home Greenway House in Devon, will go under the hammer at Wessex Auction Rooms in Chippenham, Wiltshire, on Friday.

Among the items are six letters addressed to Rice and notes with instructions on how to feed Christie's much-loved dogs.

Auctioneer Bridget Meadows said: "These lots form a wonderful insight into Agatha Christie's personal life at Greenway House."

Wessex Auction Rooms A collection of six handwritten letters spread out on a black background.

"The collection has been tucked away by the family until recently, so it has been a real privilege to research and catalogue all of the items and learn a little more about one of the world's favourite authors," Meadows added.

The five lot collection also includes first editions of Five Little Pigs and Star Over Bethlehem, both signed by Christie.

Wessex Auction Rooms A handwritten note with instructions for how to feed Agatha Christie's three dogs.

Christie is the world's best-selling author of all time and is known for her 66 detective novels, including Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile.

Born in Torquay, Devon, in 1890, she died in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, aged 85 in 1976.

The items up for sale include six letters to Rice detailing everything from compliments on alterations made to Christie's clothing by Rice and details of payments for said alterations.

There are also details of Rice's trial period at Greenway House.

Wessex Auction Rooms An orange hardback copy of Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie. There is a sticker on the front with images of three gift boxes and a note that says "To Mrs Rice from Agatha Christie".

The letters also contain a group of housekeeper's notes from Greenway cottage, including various contact details for her literary agent, doctor, builder, solicitor and others.

"We have, unsurprisingly had interest from enthusiasts around the world, so I am hoping that we exceed the top estimate of £1,000," said Meadows.

The auction is set to begin at 12:00 GMT on Friday.

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