Inside the Paisley bookstore with a book that became a Hollywood hit

From Hell is a graphic novel written by Alan Moore and was originally brought out as a 14 series of comic books between 1989 and 1998 before the collection was fully published in 1999.

However, after the film adaptation helped skyrocket Moore to fame, it turned the limited edition book into a collector's item.

The movie starred Johnny Depp and Heather Graham.

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Brian Hannan, a former journalist with From Hell book (Image: Anthony Flett)

Now, one of the very few books is on sale at Abbey Books on Wellmeadow Street for £150.

The shop, which opened in 1984, mostly contains books which are donated with the only new books sold being ones that are released about Paisley.

Brian Hannan, who is a retired journalist and helps manage the bookstore, admits that it is unique to see a book being that expensive and not being "old".

He said: "Unusually, it is not an old book but is incredibly rare.

"Before he (Alan Moore) was as famous as he became, they brought out a very limited edition of the From Hell novel.

"And when the movie came out, this version became very rare and it was worth a few quid.

"None of our books here are usually priced that high but online you'd be expected to pay roughly £250 for this."

Despite the book fetching a high price, Brian admits that it is something he has become attached to and wouldn't be sad if it didn't go.

And with the Paisley shop holding over 40,000 books in total, there are a number that the store manager says hold a lot of history and value.

Brian, who also has written several books, said that amongst the vast collection they have on their shelf, there are always hidden gems on the shelves.

He said: "We often get dealers coming into the store.

"One time I had a customer come up and tell me that they had found a book with a cover which was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. 

"It was only one of six.

"I think it went for something like £1.

"This place always has something for everyone and the window is always good for that as many people walk past and see something that grabs their attention, then they walk in."

Along with getting thousands of donations each year, Abbey Books has also become a "museum" of sorts.

Sometimes amongst the donations, personal items within the books are forgotten about and fall out when opened in the shop.

Examples of these are letters sent back and forth to people who were travelling, along with postcards from various locations.

One item detailed a trip from a sailor who sent back a response to their family in Scotland.

The author went on to say: "We get tons of letters and personal items in donations that we receive.

"In amongst some of the books we have had was a bill from a Chinese laundry in Shangai.

"It is no use to man or mouse but I am sure that it would be of more interest to a memorabilia dealer.

"You get fantastic history sometimes and that is what makes it special at times being here."