The City, a 23in x 2ft 11in (59 x 89cm) oil on board by the Stockport artist Turner (b.1920), appeared at Bonhams' sale in Chester on March 17. The signed and dated 1961 work was a typical Turner composition of a street scene with figures, with his trademark distorted perspective.
Estimated at £3000-5000, it sold to a collector for £14,800 (plus 20% buyer's premium) against private and trade competition.
This was one of five Turner pictures offered in the sale that were purchased in the 1970s to decorate a Manchester textile factory and had remained in an attic since the factory closed 20 years ago. The remaining four sold to the same trade buyer for prices between £6000 and £12,600.
The same day at Bonhams Bond Street, Blackpool Beach by Helen Bradley (1900-1979), a 2ft 6in x 3ft 2in (76 x 97cm) oil, sold for a record £120,000 against hopes of £70,000-90,000.
