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Version 25 | Version 26 |
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Downing St sign removed from sale | Downing St sign removed from sale |
(20 minutes later) | |
A 19th Century Downing Street sign has been withdrawn from an auction after doubts were raised over whether it is from the famous political address. | A 19th Century Downing Street sign has been withdrawn from an auction after doubts were raised over whether it is from the famous political address. |
The cast-iron sign was to go under the hammer at Bonhams as part of the Gentleman's Library Sale on Wednesday. | The cast-iron sign was to go under the hammer at Bonhams as part of the Gentleman's Library Sale on Wednesday. |
But it was withdrawn after a councillor from Cambridge claimed that it might be a sign from that city - and not London. | But it was withdrawn after a councillor from Cambridge claimed that it might be a sign from that city - and not London. |
The sign, which has raised black letters on a white background, was expected to fetch up to £6,000. | |
Number 10 Downing Street has housed office of the prime minister since 1730 and later his or her family, although the last incumbent Tony Blair moved his family next door. | |
We can't go ahead and sell something until we know what it is Bonhams spokesman | We can't go ahead and sell something until we know what it is Bonhams spokesman |
The auctioneer had initially said that the "very rare" sign was originally sold by Westminster City Council in the 1980s. | |
Bonhams said it standard practice to not to auction items which were not properly identified. | |
A spokesman said: "Somebody questioned the provenance of it and when that happens we always withdraw the item from sale. | A spokesman said: "Somebody questioned the provenance of it and when that happens we always withdraw the item from sale. |
"We can't go ahead and sell something until we know what it is. | "We can't go ahead and sell something until we know what it is. |
"Cambridge City Council thought they recognised it as a sign from Cambridge rather than a sign from London." | "Cambridge City Council thought they recognised it as a sign from Cambridge rather than a sign from London." |