Jack Aubrey first editions could sail away

A complete set of ‘Jack Aubrey’ first editions expected to sell for up to £1,500 at Surrey auction house John Nicholson’s on August 13.

A complete set of first editions of the 20 ‘Jack Aubrey’ and ‘Stephen Maturin’ novels of Patrick O’Brian provides the highlight of the auctioneer’s Antiquarian and Secondhand Books auction.

The stories won a major international following and led to the making of the 2003 Hollywood blockbuster Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany.

Published between 1970 and 1999, the copies are all first impressions and all in their original dust wrappers. In clean condition and with no inscriptions, they also have Myelar protective covers.

The estimate for the set is £1,000-1,500.