'We nearly shredded Alan Turing papers auctioned for £465,000'

The recent auction of papers penned by World War Two codebreaker Alan Turing had a close call before their true worth was recognized, according to the woman who put them up for sale. The collection, which dates back to the 1930s and features a copy of Turing’s PhD dissertation, fetched £465,400 at an auction in Etwall, Derbyshire.

Bridget Pitcher, hailing from Newark, shared that the papers were stumbled upon in an attic by a cousin during a visit to her mother’s residence. Among the documents were correspondences exchanged between the renowned scientist and her uncle, Norman Routledge, who shared a passion for mathematics. Ms. Pitcher, 68, revealed that initially, there was contemplation about discarding the papers due to the overwhelming quantity of paper present.

The discovery unfolded during a planned cousin reunion in November 2024, where the papers were brought out for inspection. Upon closer examination, it was revealed that the documents were linked to Alan Turing. One of the highlights was a letter penned by Turing to Ms. Pitcher’s uncle, alongside other significant correspondences, including one from Turing’s mother to her uncle. The emergence of Turing’s signature on one of the papers added an extra layer of excitement.

Ms. Pitcher admitted that her family was unaware of her uncle’s acquaintance with Turing, and were taken aback by the revelation of the papers’ potential value when they sought an appraisal. The valuation estimate ranged from £50,000 to £150,000, a figure that was comfortably eclipsed at the eventual auction. The successful sale left Ms. Pitcher feeling content that the papers had found appreciative new owners who could truly understand and cherish their significance

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