Rare Agatha Christie Artifacts to Go on View at Landmark British Library Show

The British Library will host “Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery” to mark 50 years since Agatha Christie’s death. The exhibition opens October 30 and presents 100 artifacts, including photographs, notes, and poisons, with some items making public debut. Artifacts come from the British Library collection and from loans managed by the Christie Archive Trust. The exhibition aims to cover Christie’s entire body of work, using five thematic, chronological sections. “The Country House” presents her upbringing through childhood photos, a typed copy of her first short story, and feedback from Dorothy L. Sayers. “The Dispensary” focuses on her pharmacist period, featuring letters, exam notes, World War I service records, and a dispensary of poisons.

"The British Library is preparing to host “the biggest exhibition held in the U.K. in almost 25 years to celebrate Christie's writing,” according to Lucy Rowland, lead curator for “ Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery,” which opens on October 30. There, the Queen of Crime's fans will find 100 artifacts spanning photographs, notes, and even poisons. Some will be making their public debut."

"A selection of these relics will hail from the British Library's collection, which also holds the Magna Carta and the famed Diamond Sutra. Others are on loan, including an array from the Christie Archive Trust, which essentially manages Christie's estate. “My father, Mathew, has carefully selected a wide range of items from the Christie Archive which offer remarkable insights into Agatha Christie from both a professional, and personal perspective,” said James Prichard, Christie's grandson who serves as CEO and chairman for Agatha Christie Limited."

"Unlike the 200-piece Agatha Christie show that toured Europe at the turn of the century, “A World of Mystery” will aim to cover the late writer's entire oeuvre. In order to tell the full story, however, the show will simultaneously share Christie's saga over five thematic, chronological sections. “The Country House” will open with Christie's charmed upbringing, as told through childhood photos, a typed copy of her first short story, and feedback on her work offered by acclaimed British writer Dorothy L. Sayers."

"Next, “The Dispensary” will immerse guests in Christie's pharmacist era, several years after marrying her first husband, around age 24. Letters from him will appear, as will Christie's notes for her pharmaceutical exams, her World War I service record, and “a dispensary filled with the poisons that crop up in Christi"

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