Woman finds signed first-edition of cult book in charity shop for just £1.50 – and it could be worth hundreds

Last updated: 2024/08/02 at 5:08 PM

Jasmine Siddon

3 Min Read

Jamie sharing her story on how she found a first-edition, signed copy of The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. (Picture: Jam Press)

A woman has shared the shocking moment she found a secret treasure in her local charity shop that could be worth £300.

Jamie Clark was browsing in the store’s book section when she came across a copy of her favourite novel.

The 43-year-old picked up Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook, which was for sale for just £1.50 ($2) and saw it was a first edition – and signed by the author.

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In a video, which she shared online that now has 293,000 views, Jamie can be heard getting emotional as she documents her discovery.

Prices for a signed first edition of this kind vary, but one source puts it at up to $375 (£290).

Jamie, who is a writer herself, said: “I’m dying right now – $2 at Goodwill, and I know this is a big deal.

“I wanted to hurry up and get home because my husband bought me this exact book, first edition, signed, The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, two years ago.”

In the copy bought by her husband, there is a photo showing the author signing the books.

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Jamie, who is from Maine, US, said her first copy of the book was an anniversary gift from her husband two years before, and he had paid several hundred dollars for it.

At the end of her video, she can be heard laughing and said: “I’m so excited.

“I’m keeping both of the books and now have a signed first edition for each of my daughters,” as seen on What’s The Jam.

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Viewers could not believe her luck.

One person wrote: “Goodwill Is TRIPPING. $2 for a used yogurt container and $2 for a signed 1st edition book.”

Social media comment on the post of A woman finds a signed first edition of Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook" for just $2 at a charity shop, potentially worth £300, sparking excitement and disbelief online. — *Social media comment on the post. (Picture: Jam Press)*

Laurel commented: “You put in the effort to carefully look, so you deserve this happy surprise.”

“They way I gasped,” said Amber.

Heather added: “I’m about 90% sure my grandma has at least 5 copies just like this, signed with the same photo even from a book signing in New Bern, NC. I love your excitement.”