25 May,2010 11:59 AM IST | | ANI
A rare inscribed copy of the book in which famed detective Sherlock Holmes made his first appearance is expected to fetch up to 400,000 pounds when it goes under the hammer.
Sotheby's will auction the work, which it described as "one of the rarest books of modern times", in London this summer.
The book titled 'A Study In Scarlet', was written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in less than three and was published in 1887.
The copy of is one of only two inscribed examples known to exist.
"Undoubtedly the most important book Conan Doyle ever wrote, A Study In Scarlet gave birth to Sherlock Holmes, explained how he and Dr Watson came to be together and set in motion one of the most successful characters - and indeed the first major serial character - in English literature, a forerunner of everyone from Hercule Poirot to James Bond," The Scotsman quoted a Sotheby spokesperson as saying.
The novel will be released on 15 July as part of an English Literature, History, Children's Books and Illustrations sale.
