A collection of correspondence by Lord Byron broke the world record price Thursday for a group of letters or manuscript by a British Romantic poet, auction house Sotheby's said. The collection, which came from the library of 1894-1895 prime minister Archibald Primrose, the Earl of Rosebery, was sold for 277,250 pounds (458,800 dollars, 309,050 euros). The pre-sale estimate was 150,000 to 180,000 pounds. The collection, which includes 71 handwritten pages, contains many unpublished letters and material detailing relationships as well as his thoughts and pursuits immediately prior to his rise to fame. 'We are absolutely delighted with the above-estimate price achieved for such an important collection of letters by Byron,' said Gabriel Heaton of Sotheby's. 'The pre-sale interest in the collection has been international in its scope and extremely enthusiastic, demonstrating just how prominent Lord Byron remains in the literary canon and in people's affection. 'There has been particular interest in what this unique collection reveals about Byron as a poet as well as the more sensitive and thoughtful side to a man most frequently recognised as one of history's most notorious lotharios. 'The letters talk of love and poetry, of religion, travel and revolution, and their sale has offered a wonderful opportunity to reveal aspects of Lord Byron's character that were either unknown or long-forgotten.' 