A sign bearing the name of Britain's most famous address is expected to fetch thousands when it goes under the hammer.
The 19th century cast iron Downing Street sign was previewed today at Bonhams auctioneers in central London ahead of its sale next Wednesday.
It is estimated to fetch between £4000 and £6000.
Downing Street, in Whitehall, was built in the 1680s by Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet, on the site of a mansion called Hampden House. Downing was a soldier and diplomat who served under Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II.
Number 10 is the official residence and office of the Prime Minister. Number 11 is the official residence and office of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
It has been the residence of the Prime Minister for almost 300 years, but not every PM wanted to live in it. It wasn't until Arthur Balfour became PM in 1902 that it became the PM's official residence.
Downing Street sign expected to raise thousands as it goes under the hammer
By Rob Lyons
14th January 2010
Daily Mail
A sign bearing the name of Britain's most exclusive political address is expected to fetch several thousand pounds when it goes under the hammer.
The 19th century cast iron Downing Street sign was previewed today at Bonhams auctioneers in central London ahead of its sale next Wednesday.
With the General Election fast approaching it is perhaps the perfect gift for political pundits or even politicians keen to hang on to the remnants of power.
It is estimated the Downing Street sign will sell for between £4000 to £6000
The sign, which features raised black lettering on a white background, is estimated to sell for between £4,000 and £6,000 at the auction in New Bond Street.
The houses of Downing Street
9 Downing Street - Houses the Chief Whip's office and is the Downing Street entrance to the Privy Council Office.
10 Downing Street - The official residence of the Prime Minister since 1735, but not officially until 100 years ago.
11 Downing Street - The official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer since 1828.
12 Downing Street - Currently houses the Prime Minister's Press Office, Strategic Communications Unit and Information and Research Unit
14 Downing Street - Occupied by the War Office and Colonial Office in the 19th century. Demolished in 1876.
15-16 Downing Street - Now demolished. Once held the Foreign Office.
18 Downing Street - Was occupied by the West India Department of the Colonial Office.
20 Downing Street - Was occupied by the Tithe Commission.
The slice of British political history was one of a number of road signs sold off in the 1980s by Westminster City Council and is among 702 lots within the annual Gentleman's Library Sale.
Andrew Currie, spokesman for Bonhams said: 'It's very rare for a sign like this to come on the market, there aren't many things like this around.
'We are expecting interest from a lot of people keen on collecting political memorabilia.
'It is of course the perfect time for it to come on sale with the General Election due to be held in the next few months.
'This sign is known throughout the world, everyone knows where Downing Street is, so we are anticipating a lot of interest.'
Also going under the hammer in the sale is a fossil skeleton of an ice age cave bear which is expected to fetch between £18,000 and £22,000.
10 Downing Street is the official residence and office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. It is also the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government. Downing Street is located in Whitehall and houses the official residences of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Whip. Downing Street was built in the 1680s by Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet on the site of a mansion called Hampden House. Downing was a soldier and diplomat who served under Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II. In the service of the King he was rewarded with the plot of land adjoining St James's Park upon which Downing Street now stands. Number 10 was originally three houses. In 1732, King George II offered them to Sir Robert Walpole, Britain's first PM, who accepted on the condition that they be a gift to the office of First Lord of the Treasury (an early name for the PM) rather than to him personally. Walpole commissioned William Kent to join the three houses together. It is this larger house that is known today as Number 10 Downing Street. The arrangement was not an immediate success. Despite its size and convenient location near Parliament, few early Prime Ministers lived there. Costly to maintain, neglected, and run-down, Number 10 was close to being razed several times. It wasn't until Arthur Balfour became Prime Minister in 1902 that Number 10 became the official residence of the Prime Minister. Despite it looking small on the outside, 10 Downing Street contains about one hundred rooms. There is a private residence on the third floor and a kitchen in the basement. The other floors contain offices and numerous conference, reception, sitting and dining rooms where the Prime Minister works and meets with and entertains government ministers, national leaders and foreign dignitaries.
dailymail.co.uk
The 19th century cast iron Downing Street sign was previewed today at Bonhams auctioneers in central London ahead of its sale next Wednesday.
It is estimated to fetch between £4000 and £6000.
Downing Street, in Whitehall, was built in the 1680s by Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet, on the site of a mansion called Hampden House. Downing was a soldier and diplomat who served under Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II.
Number 10 is the official residence and office of the Prime Minister. Number 11 is the official residence and office of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
It has been the residence of the Prime Minister for almost 300 years, but not every PM wanted to live in it. It wasn't until Arthur Balfour became PM in 1902 that it became the PM's official residence.
Downing Street sign expected to raise thousands as it goes under the hammer
By Rob Lyons
14th January 2010
Daily Mail
A sign bearing the name of Britain's most exclusive political address is expected to fetch several thousand pounds when it goes under the hammer.
The 19th century cast iron Downing Street sign was previewed today at Bonhams auctioneers in central London ahead of its sale next Wednesday.
With the General Election fast approaching it is perhaps the perfect gift for political pundits or even politicians keen to hang on to the remnants of power.
It is estimated the Downing Street sign will sell for between £4000 to £6000
The sign, which features raised black lettering on a white background, is estimated to sell for between £4,000 and £6,000 at the auction in New Bond Street.
The houses of Downing Street
9 Downing Street - Houses the Chief Whip's office and is the Downing Street entrance to the Privy Council Office.
10 Downing Street - The official residence of the Prime Minister since 1735, but not officially until 100 years ago.
11 Downing Street - The official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer since 1828.
12 Downing Street - Currently houses the Prime Minister's Press Office, Strategic Communications Unit and Information and Research Unit
14 Downing Street - Occupied by the War Office and Colonial Office in the 19th century. Demolished in 1876.
15-16 Downing Street - Now demolished. Once held the Foreign Office.
18 Downing Street - Was occupied by the West India Department of the Colonial Office.
20 Downing Street - Was occupied by the Tithe Commission.
The slice of British political history was one of a number of road signs sold off in the 1980s by Westminster City Council and is among 702 lots within the annual Gentleman's Library Sale.
Andrew Currie, spokesman for Bonhams said: 'It's very rare for a sign like this to come on the market, there aren't many things like this around.
'We are expecting interest from a lot of people keen on collecting political memorabilia.
'It is of course the perfect time for it to come on sale with the General Election due to be held in the next few months.
'This sign is known throughout the world, everyone knows where Downing Street is, so we are anticipating a lot of interest.'
Also going under the hammer in the sale is a fossil skeleton of an ice age cave bear which is expected to fetch between £18,000 and £22,000.
10 Downing Street is the official residence and office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. It is also the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government. Downing Street is located in Whitehall and houses the official residences of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Whip. Downing Street was built in the 1680s by Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet on the site of a mansion called Hampden House. Downing was a soldier and diplomat who served under Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II. In the service of the King he was rewarded with the plot of land adjoining St James's Park upon which Downing Street now stands. Number 10 was originally three houses. In 1732, King George II offered them to Sir Robert Walpole, Britain's first PM, who accepted on the condition that they be a gift to the office of First Lord of the Treasury (an early name for the PM) rather than to him personally. Walpole commissioned William Kent to join the three houses together. It is this larger house that is known today as Number 10 Downing Street. The arrangement was not an immediate success. Despite its size and convenient location near Parliament, few early Prime Ministers lived there. Costly to maintain, neglected, and run-down, Number 10 was close to being razed several times. It wasn't until Arthur Balfour became Prime Minister in 1902 that Number 10 became the official residence of the Prime Minister. Despite it looking small on the outside, 10 Downing Street contains about one hundred rooms. There is a private residence on the third floor and a kitchen in the basement. The other floors contain offices and numerous conference, reception, sitting and dining rooms where the Prime Minister works and meets with and entertains government ministers, national leaders and foreign dignitaries.
dailymail.co.uk