An astonishing discovery of ten signed Salvador Dalí lithographs has been made in a London garage after being forgotten for half a century. Found during a routine valuation by an auctioneer, these rare artworks and five by Theo Tobiasse are now expected to fetch thousands at an upcoming auction.
A Hidden Treasure Emerges
The lithographs were uncovered when Chris Kirkham, an associate director of Hansons Richmond auction house, was called to assess antiques in Mayfair, central London. “It was an amazing find,” Kirkham remarked, adding, “I was invited to assess some antiques at a client’s home. During the visit, the vendor took me to his garage, and lo and behold, out came this treasure trove of surrealist lithographs – all 15 of them.” The lithographs included 10 by Salvador Dalí and 5 by Theo Tobiasse, a French artist.
Forgotten Artworks for Over 50 Years
The artworks had been stored in the garage for over 50 years, stashed away and forgotten. Kirkham said, “They’d been tucked away and forgotten about for around 50 years. It felt quite surreal. You never know what you’ll uncover on a routine home visit.” The client had purchased the prints from a central London gallery during the 1970s to frame them for his home in Berkeley Square but never got around to it.
As the seller plans to retire and move abroad, these lithographs will finally see the light of day. “He’s looking to retire and move abroad, so now his lithographs will finally see the light of day at auction,” Kirkham explained.
An Anticipated Auction Event
The Dalí lithographs, depicting mostly mythological and allegorical scenes, were initially purchased for £500 ($660). Each Dalí print is now expected to fetch around that amount individually when they go under the hammer on September 30. Kirkham further stated, “Dalí and Tobiasse are highly regarded, and anything connected to them is sought after. These lithographs provide an inexpensive way to own a signed print.”
Salvador Dalí, a prominent figure in the Surrealist movement, was known for his strange, dream-like images, including the iconic melting clocks. His works continue to captivate art collectors and enthusiasts, making this auction highly anticipated.
A New Home for Forgotten Art
As the lithographs make their way to auction, they bring the excitement of rediscovery. The story of these long-forgotten treasures tucked away in a garage for half a century only adds to their value and allure. Art lovers now have the chance to own a piece of surrealist history when these lithographs go up for sale on September 30.
