RARE books from York are expected to raise a fortune beside unseen work of one of Britain's favourite authors.

The collection, including a series on the history of madness, dates back as far as 1764, with one volume expected to bring as much as £600 at a North Yorkshire sale this month.

Others include writing on the history of York and the Minster.

They will be sold at an auction in Leyburn, alongside an autograph book containing a hand-written poem by Winnie the Pooh's creator, AA Milne.

The author, who created the children's favourite and his friends, wrote the four-verse poem Before Tea in May 1925. It was scrawled in the pages of an autograph book - now expected to be worth up to £220.

The literary gems are to be auctioned as part of a major book sale at Tennant's of Leyburn on February 27.

A Tennant's spokesman said of the autograph book: "It's quite an exciting discovery.

"Milne's popularity is as high as ever, but sadly there's no E H Shepherd illustration to go with it."

The autograph book is being sold by an unnamed North Yorkshire family which is believed to have inherited it.

Also going under the hammer is a letter, dated March 1987, from the famous Victorian

nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale.

The yellowed letter, which has been repaired by tape and is expected to fetch between £80 and £120, is addressed to a Mrs Fyfe and is a detailed reply into an inquiry about getting the woman's daughter a position as a trainee nurse.

Viewing for the nearly 400 lots will be held on February 25 and 26.

Updated: 11:57 Friday, February 07, 2003