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Churchill and Lord Nelson Autographs Command High Prices at Sotheby's |
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Written by PFC
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Wednesday, 21 July 2010 |
 PFC - The auction of literature, history & illustration offered a number of treasures for fans of British history
Last Thursday's auction of English Literature, History, Children's Books and Illustrations at Sotheby's offered up some particular highlights for collectors and fans of British history alike.
Amongst the 215 lots on sale, autographed documents from two key figures, Winston Churchill and Lord Horatio Nelson were particular highlights.
Collectible documents related to the late Sir Winston Churchill, Britain's leader during the darkest days of the Second World War, were sold in eight different lots.
The highlights included a collection of letters and documents belong to Mr Nigel Patrickson, who worked for Churchill, framing and restoring various pieces of artwork.
The collection included four typed letters signed by Churchill, as well as a framed and autographed picture of the then elderly leader alongside his wife Clementine.
In addition to this, were letters from Patrickson himself, including one account to future Prime Minister Edward Heath on how Churchill had over painted a mouse on Ruben and Snyder's "The Lion and the Mouse."
The collection also featured two booklets relating to Churchill's 1965 funeral. The entire collection came with an auction estimate of £2,500, which it promptly doubled, bringing in £5,000.
Additionally a rare signed, first edition copy of Winston Churchill's 1900 book "Ian Hamilton's March" proved a highlight.
The book was inscribed "to Samuel Smethurst Esq from Winston S. Churchill."
Smethurst was a Methodist lay preacher and close confidant of Churchill, with letters sent between the two currently residing in the British archives. With an auction estimate of £4,000 attached, the signed book sold for £8,750.
Six lots relating to the life of Lord Horatio Nelson also came up for sale at the auction.
Of the eight lots available at the auction, highlights included a previously unpublished letter written to his assistant John Udney expressing his desire to attack a key stronghold of the French. The autographed letter had an estimated auction price of £4,000 but sold for £6,875 to one lucky bidder.
Elsewhere, collectors were treated to a more personal signed document, as a letter to Lord Nelson's famous mistress Emma Hamilton, came up for sale with an estimated auction price of £2,000.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 July 2010 )
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