LONDON.- Christie’s will commemorate 20 years of Maritime sales with the auction of Important Maritime Art which will take place on 31 October 2007 at King Street. This auction will offer over 120 works of art by the most notable names in Maritime art including Willem van de Velde the Younger, Jacob Knyff, Thomas Luny and Montague Dawson and will include ship's portraits, depictions of naval battles, topographical views and exceptional models. Individual estimates range from £10,000 to £200,000 and the sale is expected to realise a total in excess of £3 million.

An early highlight of the auction is The Royal Yacht Cleveland, with Charles II aboard, arriving to inspect the flagship at the Nore by Jacob Knyff (1638-1681) which survives in exceptional condition and is expected to realise £30,000-50,000. Cleveland was built in 1671 and was the favourite yacht of Charles II, who named the vessel after one of his most famous mistresses, Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland.

A selection of paintings depicting historic battles will be offered at the auction. Highlighting this section is H.M.S. Victory engaging the Spanish flagship at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, 1797; and The Spanish prizes entering the Tagus after the battle by William Anderson (1757-1837) which are offered together with an estimate of £70,000-100,000. Another impressive pair is The British Fleet in action at Trafalgar, with Nelson’s Victory heavily engaged; and After the close of the action by Lieutenant Robert Strickland Thomas, R.N. (1787-1853) which is believed to have been commissioned by Sir William Hargood, a hero of Traflagar, and which has an estimate of £50,000-80,000.

The selection of 20th century pictures is highlighted by six works by Montague Dawson, F.R.S.A., R.S.M.A. (1895-1973), including The 1970 Americas Cup Series: A downwind led, Intrepid leading Gretel (II) which is expected to realise £150,000-250,000. Contemporary artists will also be represented in the sale, including David Brackham (b.1932), Jamie Medlin (b.1970) and Richard Firth (b.1971).

The highlight of the maritime models to be offered at the auction is a Prisoner of War model of H.M.S. Prince of Wales, made from bone and baleen and previously in the ownership of King Leopold III of Belgium. Crafted in intricate detail by French prisoners incarcerated in England circa 1800, it is expected to realise £150,000-250,000.