MEDIA ALERT | LONDONAnnabel's Auction
London – The much-anticipated landmark sale celebrating Annabel’s, 44 Berkeley Square ·1963–2018· on 20 November 2018 realised £4,099,250 / $5,259,338 / €4,587,061, selling 100% by lot and 100% by value. Having attracted over 2,000 visitors to the in-situ pre-sale exhibition at the old Annabel’s, the auction welcomed registered bidders from 40 countries across 5 continents. The proceeds from two of the lots, by Christian Voigt and Richard Young which sold for a combined total of £33,125/ $42,503/ €37,067, will go to The Children’s Charity for The Good of All Children. Comprising 264 lots, the auction drew international interest, sparking competitive bidding in the saleroom, on the telephones and online, with over 50% of the lots sold on or directly underbid via Christie’s LiveTM. Seven artist records were set for Glyn Warren Philpot, R.A., Henry Mayo Bateman, Richard Young, Andreas Farcas, A. Duncan Carse, John Stanton Ward, R.A., and John Thomas Young Gilroy.
Orlando Rock, Christie’s UK Chairman: “This sale has captured the hearts and imaginations of many across generations. The stellar result of the auction is a testament to Annabel’s global reputation as one of the most elegant and glamorous Clubs in the world – as well as to the enduring influence of the eye of founder Mark Birley. We saw competitive bidding across the whole sale, with particularly notable prices realised for one of Glyn Warren Philpot’s final portraits of Henry Thomas which sold for £368,750/ $473,106/ €412,631, becoming the top lot of the sale, and Sir Alfred James Munnings’s Study of a grey horse which fetched £242,750/ $311,448/ €271,637, selling for more than 16 times the low estimate. Having welcomed over 2,000 people to the pre-sale in-situ view at 44 Berkeley Square, it is wonderful that so many people engaged with this landmark sale, with some securing highly sought after keepsakes that they will treasure, ensuring that the legacy of the old Annabel’s lives on as the works of art and objects move in to the next chapters of their stories.”
Annabel’s spokesperson: “We are thrilled with the success of this auction. The sale has shown the absolute passion and respect for Mark Birley and the lasting legacy of Annabel’s.”
The legendary destination of royalty, fashion icons, recording stars and Hollywood greats alike, from Kate Moss to Frank Sinatra, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, to Jack Nicholson, Elizabeth Taylor and Leonardo DiCaprio, among many others, Annabel’s was founded 55 years ago by Mark Birley; Richard Caring acquired the Birley Group – including Annabel’s – in 2007. Having offered unprecedented access to the normally private world of Annabel’s during the in-situ pre-sale view, the old Club’s doors have now closed for the last time; the new Annabel’s opened in April 2018 two doors up at 46 Berkeley Square.
For the top ten lots please see separate document; for the full results of the auction please visit Christies.com