Before Laurence Stephen Lowry was heralded as one of the most celebrated artists of his time, known for depicting industrial life in North West England, some of his works were displayed during Manchester Civic Week in 1925.
Few passersby took interest, but journalist A.S. Wallace felt moved by the paintings and befriended Lowry, asking to buy one.
Lowry agreed, marking down his work “Going to the Mill” from £30 to £10. He even threw in “The Manufacturing Town” as a freebie.
“Going to the Mill” was passed down through Wallace’s family until the present day, and has now been consigned to auction via Lyon & Turnbull. The painting has a pre-sale estimate of $940,000 to $1.34 million.
Along with the painting is a letter from Lowry to Wallace.
“Many thanks for your letter and cheque £10,” Lowry wrote. “I am very glad Mrs Wallace likes the picture Going to Work and take the liberty of asking you to please accept The Manufacturing Town as a souvenir of the Civic Week. I can assure you that it will always be with great pleasure that I shall think of that Saturday morning.”
“The Manufacturing Town” was previously sold by the family.
Lowry’s most expensive public sale to date came in 2022 when one of his later works fetched more than $10 million.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.