A book of poems believed to be written by the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong Emperor, will be auctioned on November 21, reported China Radio International on Tuesday.

The 40-page book, with an estimate value of 2.8 to 3.5 million yuan (about US$400,000) was robbed from Beijing's Agriculture Altar by the Eight Power Allied Force a century ago.

The owner of the book, who is reluctant to give his name, says he bought the book some time ago from an elderly man.

Historians say the Qianlong Emperor used to visit the Agriculture Altar, where he wrote many of the poems that are contained in the book.

Sources say the representatives from the Agriculture Altar will bid for the book.

(CRI.com November 10, 2004)