Original geek’s manual at £95k

BRAINS: Lovelace THE first ever computer manual, written by a woman 175 years ago, has fetched nearly 20 times its expected price at auction.

Ada Lovelace’s Sketch of the Analytical Engine was bought for £95,000.

It was one of only seven copies of the book still thought to be in existence.

Lovelace, the only legitimate child of poet Lord Byron, was a maths prodigy who died, aged 36.

During her short life, she played a key role in the early development of computer programming.

She became friends with mathematician Charles Babbage over his automatic mechanical calculator, the Difference Engine.

The book, published in 1843, was signed by “Lady Lovelace”.

It was described by auctioneer Philip Allwood as “the first separate edition of arguably the most important paper in the history of digital computing before modern times”.

It was sold at auction on Friday by Moore Allen & Innocent in Cirencester, Glos, and was originally expected to fetch just £5,000. It was snapped up by an anonymous buyer.

A BENTLEY Continental owned by Sir Elton John and husband David Furnish has sold for more than £73,000. The motor includes diamond quilted leather seats.