Britain's Tate Gallery has unveiled eight etchings by 18th century writer and artist William Blake, which lay undiscovered for decades before turning up at a second-hand book sale.
The hand-coloured works were inherited by Blake's widow Catherine after his death in 1827, but they later disappeared for decades until they were found tucked inside a railway timetable in a box of books.
"Blake's work is rarely available for purchase, making a recent discovery like this all the more remarkable," the Tate said, announcing it had bought the pictures for 441,000 pounds ($A764,000).
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Tate director Nicholas Serota added: "This was an extraordinary find, and I am delighted we have been able to acquire it for the nation.
"Blake has always been central to our historic collection of British art here at Tate, and these beautiful etchings will help us represent the amazing diversity of his work."
Stephen Deuchar, head of the Art Fund which contributed to buying them, said: "These powerful etchings reveal the immense technical skill of William Blake, as well as his legendary imaginative range, and the story behind their discovery makes this acquisition all the more exciting."
The works will go on public display at Tate Britain in July, and will travel to the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Art in Moscow in November 2011 for the exhibition William Blake and British Visionary Art.
The owner who sold the etchings to the Tate has asked to remain anonymous.
