LONDON.- Christie’s presents the one off themed exhibition and auction The London Sale. The special extended exhibition, which ran for six-weeks throughout the Olympic Summer from 27 July through to the auction on 3 September 2012, proved popular with visitors to the buzzing cultural hub of South Kensington. The auction will comprise over 150 lots in total, presenting a broad variety of items synonymous with London and offering an exciting opportunity for lovers of London to acquire iconic pieces of the city’s imagery and history from paintings and topographical views, through to memorabilia, fashion, and even an original double-decker Routemaster Bus which dates back to another iconic year in British history – 1966 (estimate: £20,000-30,000). Items will range from just £500 with important paintings expected to fetch up to £200,000.

Nick Martineau, Director and Head of Sale commented: “Christie‟s is delighted to stage an extended public exhibition for „The London Sale‟ – a special auction that will celebrate art and icons of the capital, and which will be on public view throughout the Olympic period (July-September) at our South Kensington saleroom on Old Brompton Road. We hope that London residents and tourists alike will enjoy visiting the exhibition and learning a little more about London‟s rich history through the objects and works of art on offer. These are just a few highlights which will be sold at auction on 3 September, but the sale continues to grow – the deadline for consignments is 30 April. With estimates starting at only £500, the sale will provide a wonderful opportunity for lovers of London to bid on everything from an original 1966 Routemaster bus through to beautiful 19th century views across the River Thames.”

HIGHLIGHTS
PAINTINGS
• David Shepherd (b. 1930), Terminal 2, Heathrow. Oil on canvas. Estimate: £3,000-5,000

• Edward Seago (1910-1974), The Quadriga, Hyde Park Corner. Oil on canvas. Estimate: £80,000-120,000

• John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836-1893), St Paul's Cathedral, from the River Thames, 1883. Oil on canvas. Estimate: £150,000-200,000

• Attributed to William Havell (1782-1857), Fishermen by the Thames, with Putney Bridge beyond. Pencil and watercolour. Estimate: £2,000-3,000

FASHION
• A selection of outfits believed to have been worn by Baroness Margaret Thatcher prior to becoming Prime Minister

• A turquoise Mansfield dress, jacket and matching belt. Estimate: £1,000-1,500

• A yellow Mansfield dress and jacket. Estimate: £1,000-1,500

• A two-piece navy blue wool suit with red piping and silk polka dot trim. Estimate: £1,000-1,500

VINTAGE POSTERS AND PRINTS
• Simon Patterson (b. 1967), The Great Bear. Lithograph in colours, 1992 on woven paper signed in pencil, numbered 33/50. Designed to replicate the London Underground Map, each tube line represents groups of celebrities and well-known people, including scientists, saints, philosophers, comedians, explorers and footballers. Estimate: £14,000-18,000

• Norman Wilkinson (1878-1971), London By LMS, The Houses of Parliament. Lithograph in colours, c.1930. An original vintage poster advertising travel to London by rail. Estimate: £3,000-5,000

• Norman Wilkinson (1878-1971), London by LMS, Whitehall. Lithograph in colours, c.1930. An original vintage poster advertising travel to London by rail. Estimate: £2,000-3,000

• Christopher Clark R.I. (1875-1942), British Army Ceremonial. Lithograph in colours, c.1950, printed by Jordison & Co., Ltd., London. An original vintage poster advertising travel to London by rail Estimate: £1,000-1,500

MEMORABILIA
• An early Victorian mahogany and ebonised stool, circa 1866. Stamped to the cross stretcher ‘VRB IN o421/1866’, also with a printed paper label 'GRV. Buckingham Palace. L.C.D' Its label was applied by the Lord Chamberlain's Department, who held responsibility for the furnishings of Buckingham Palace. Estimate: £500-800.

• A bronze model of a Grenadier Guard After George Edward Wade, late 19th century, 17 ¼ in. (43.8 cm.) high Estimate: £1,500-2,500.

• A plaster maquette of the famous, ‘Guy the gorillla’ who was a much-loved resident of London Zoo from 1947 through to 1978. Named after Guy Fawkes (due to his arrival at the Zoo on 5 November) he became a TV celebrity during the 1960s and 70s and a near life-size bronze statue of him, created in his memory by William Timym, continues to be an attraction at the Zoo today. Estimate: £1,800-2,500

• An original pub sign from ‘The London Inn’, circa 1965. Acrylic on board, painted wood frame, 80 x 120 cm. The pub name ‘London Inn’ dates back to the stagecoach era when it was common practice for an inn to indicate the destination of the coach which called there – London was obviously a common destination, particularly in South West counties. The signs were often illustrated by instantly recognisable London landmarks or scenes so that those who could not read could still identify the inn. Estimate: £500-800

TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEWS
• Panorama of the River Thames in 1845. Estimate: £1,500-2,000

• A picture that is thought to represent one of the many proposals that the City Corporation considered for a new Thames crossing in 1876. Over 50 schemes were submitted, with the proposal for a bridge – which ultimately resulted in the present Tower Bridge – finally winning. A proposal for a Thames tunnel, circa 1876 A.M. Brown, after a design by J Standfield M.I.C.E., 19th century, oil on canvas. Estimate: £2,000-4,000