TALES of big game hunting, natural history and slavery from a Kington man's private library collection of over 10,000 books is set to raise over a million at Sotheby's.

Described as the most impressive library of Africana to come to light in many years and assembled over 35 years by bibliophile, Humphrey Winterton, the collection is set to go under the hammer on May 28 and 29 in London.

Mr Winterton's fascinating archive on Africa, where he lived and worked for many years, comprises thousands of rare books and manuscripts covering East Africa, the Sudan, Egypt, Arabia and the Indian Ocean.

Sotheby's experts described the collection as 'the most important and finest library of its kind to come to auction within living memory' which contains 'exceptional copies' of memorabilia, periodicals, maps and drawings.

Dating from the 16th century, the collection includes 'My African Journey' by Winston Churchill (est. £300 - £500) and a limited edition signed copy of Stanley's 'Darkest Africa' (est. £2,000 - £3,000).

Works by other notable explorers include Richard Burton's 'The lake regions of Central Africa' (est. £2,000 - £3,000) and 'Missionary travels and researches in South Africa' by David Livingstone (est. £200 -£300).

For further details contact Sotheby's on www.sothebys. com or call 0207 936 000.