Collections

Bonhams is delighted to offer for sale The Roy Astley Collection: Theatrical Designs by Cecil Beaton and Oliver Messel, a detailed archive of original costume and set designs by some of the most iconic designers of 20th century stages and screens. Roy Astley himself worked in theatre for the entirety of his career as a successful stage and company manager and his collection reflects his love for the variety and vibrancy of this world. The quality of his collection meant that many of his works were exhibited in landmark exhibitions, including the 1986 Cecil Beaton retrospective at Barbican Art Gallery.

Alongside these original works, is a further selection of Cecil Beaton Photographs from the Estate of Geoffrey Sawyer. Geoffrey was a long-standing assistant and printer of Beaton, with his own work also part of the National Portrait Gallery's collection. Offered here are some of Beaton's early works as a Vogue photographer, as well as more photographs of the glittering stars of stage, screen and society of the 20th century.

Together with these collections, Bonhams is also offering Selected Items from the Estate of Sir Brian Williamson. A former chairman of the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange, Sir Brian was born in Ireland and educated at Trinity College, Dublin. As keen a collector of Old Master Pictures and Modern British Art as he was for 18th century silver and giltwood furniture, there is a strong Irish thread running through the lots on offer which pay homage to his early life.

Concluding the sale is elected Items from the Estate of the Late Howard Godfrey. Howard was a respected fine art dealer, specialising in 18th and 19th century furniture, pictures, bronzes and decorative objects. Trading for over 30 years, his shop was a destination call for both private buyers and the London trade, and we are delighted to be offering items from his personal collection here.