An Edwardian car won in a wager by a famous Nottinghamshire journalist is expected to reach up to £30,000 at auction.

Born in Stapleford, Notts, on July 21, 1875, Arthur Mee left his local school at the age of 14, determined to make it in the world of newspapers.

While not exceptional in science and maths at school, Arthur was outstanding in English.

And he had no problem becoming a proof reader's assistant at the Nottingham Evening News, which merged with the Nottingham Evening Post in 1967.

At 16 he started reporting for the Nottingham Daily Express, where he wrote what his editor called "the best interview he had ever read".

He soon returned to the Evening News to be appointed editor at the tender age of 20.

He moved to London in 1896 and went on to have an illustrious career in journalism.

It was said that he had a great affection for round numbers.

For his Harmsworth History of the World magazine he came up with the slogan "ten thousand pictures of ten thousand years".

Having a reputation for living up to his rash promises, he made sure the publication had enough images to justify the claim.

After telling his publisher Heinemann the magazine would make £20,000, he was told they would be surprised if it made half that amount.

The clever journalist shrewdly asked if they would buy him a car when the £10,000 rolled in.

The reply came: "You bet I will". So the wager stood.

Only half way through the series the magazine had raised the money and the writer was presented with a Martini 20/24hp Roi-de-Belges.

Ironically, the writer never learned to drive, preferring to be chauffeured by his daughter Marjorie.

His family roots were still in Nottingham - his nephew Alan Mee and great-niece Emily Muggeridge met for the first time in Stapleford in 2001 at the re-launch of the refurbished Arthur Mee Centre, part of Broxtowe College.

And the Bonham's auction may also bring Arthur Mee's car back to Nottingham if a local bidder shows interest.

The Swiss vehicle given to him in 1906 was made by the makers of the famous Martini-Henry rifle. It is powered by a pair-cast, four cylinder 100x130mm engine and was sold for about £640 in chassis form.

The car, registration D 2404, is being sold by Bonham's as part of a collection that belonged to the late George Milligan, who died this year aged 94. He was a successful farmer who had a love for classic vehicles.

Arthur Mee's Martini was bought by a Mr Milligan in Scotland in 1965 for £2,150.

Arthur Mee:
1875: Born Stapleford, Notts;
1889: Left school to become a proof reader's assistant at the Nottingham Evening News;
1891: Becomes reporter at the Nottingham Daily Express;
1895: Becomes editor of the Nottingham Evening News;
1896: Joins editorial team of London's Tit-bits journal;
1901: Takes on editorship of periodical Black and White;
1903: Fails in bid to persuade magnate Sir Alfred Harmsworth to print a new periodical; becomes literary editor of the Daily Mail;
1905: Takes on the Harmsworth Self-Educator;
1906: Makes car wager while developing his Harmsworth History of the World;
1908: First issue of the Children's Encyclopaedia;
1919: Founds The Children's Newspaper;
1943: Dies aged 68 in Kent.

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