Clive Hirschhorn sells collection of modern first editions valued at a million pounds

The retired theatre critic's collection includes a copy of The Great Gatsby estimated at selling for £75,000

Mr Hirschhorn has kept all 500 first editions in mint condition, and never read them. They are expected to fetch £1 million at auction next week. He is selling them to help fund his retirement.

Amongst the first editions going under the hammer are:

• A signed first edition of Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange, estimated at £2,000-£3,000

• Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep (£6,000 - £8,000)

• Casino Royale by Ian Fleming (£10,000-£15,000)

• Graham Greene's Brighton Rock (£40,000-£60,000)

Mr Hirschhorn said in Metro newspaper that the books were 'for show not blow,' and not for reading. 'If I wanted to, I would go out and buy a paperback.'

Is there a first edition you wish you owned - and if you'd got it, would you sell it? Tell us in the box below!