Rare 18th-century ship's diary sells at Derbyshire auction for £4,900

A rare 18th-century diary, documenting the tales of Captain Skottowe, has been sold at auction. The 240-year-old diary was written by Skottowe when he was commanding the East Indies trading ship Bridgewater and was sold at auction for £4,900. It was found during a house clearance in Burton by Charles Hanson, owner of Hanson Auctioneers in Etwall. Mr Hanson, who is pictured with the diary, said: "It was just written paper from the 18th century but the context, voyage, the journey and the love it gave the audience of buyers is fantastic and that is what happens when history talks."