One of the most important corporate art collections to come onto the market in recent times is to go under the hammer.

Eastern Daily Press: Sunset in France by Mary Fedden, which has a pre-sale estimate 7,000-10,000 and is part of the Archant art collection, is going to auction at Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham. Image: ArchantSunset in France by Mary Fedden, which has a pre-sale estimate 7,000-10,000 and is part of the Archant art collection, is going to auction at Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham. Image: Archant (Image: Archant)

The 126 paintings amassed by media company Archant - the owner of this newspaper - come up for sale at a special event hosted by Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham on October 10.

The Archant Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art, which includes works by Gwyneth Johnstone, Mary Newcomb, Tessa Newcomb, James Dodds, Derrick Greaves, John Bellamy, Maggi Hambling and Gerard Stamp, was started in the 1960s by Sir Timothy Colman. The Norfolk-based organisation was co-founded by the Colman family in 1845.

Highlights of the sale include: ‘Figures in extensive landscapes’, a pair of oils on board by Gwyneth Johnstone, which have a pre-sale estimate of £20,000-£30,000; ‘Passage from Hull’ by Mary Newcomb (£8,000-£10,000) and ‘Sunset in France’ by Mary Fedden (estimate £7,000-£10,000).

Among the other important works are ‘Self-portrait with nude’ by John Bellamy (estimate £3,000-£5,000), ‘Utensils 2001’ by Derrick Greaves (estimate £3,000-£4,000) and ‘Small yellow boat’ by James Dodds (estimate £2,000-£3,000).

Eastern Daily Press: Utensils 2001 by Derrick Greaves, which has a pre-sale estimate 3,000-4,000 and is part of the Archant art collection, is going to auction at Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham. Image: ArchantUtensils 2001 by Derrick Greaves, which has a pre-sale estimate 3,000-4,000 and is part of the Archant art collection, is going to auction at Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham. Image: Archant (Image: Archant)

Kevin Lines, Keys’ director and head of fine art, said: “Archant, which was formerly known as Eastern Counties Newspapers, is a firm with a long heritage in East Anglia, and remains a leading national player in the media world.

“This fine collection of works by modern and contemporary artists was amassed over nearly two centuries by the families which owned the company for most of its existence.

“Many generations of those families had a really good eye for the best contemporary painters, and the quality of the works on offer reflect this.

“Such an important corporate collection coming to the market will elicit interest from art-lovers right across the UK and beyond.”

Eastern Daily Press: Self-portrait with nude by John Bellamy, which has a pre-sale estimate of 3,000-5,000 and is part of the Archant art collection, is going to auction at Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham. Image: ArchantSelf-portrait with nude by John Bellamy, which has a pre-sale estimate of 3,000-5,000 and is part of the Archant art collection, is going to auction at Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham. Image: Archant (Image: Archant)

The collection has been on display at Archant’s Norwich headquarters for many years, with a number of pieces lent to major exhibitions. Several works formed part of a landmark Masterpieces exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre in 2013.

The auction will take place on Keys’ online, live bidding platform KeysLive at bid.keysauctions.co.uk and at www.the-saleroom.com. The catalogue can be found online at bid.keysauctions.co.uk.

Eastern Daily Press: Figures in extensive landscapes, a pair of oils on board by Gwyneth Johnstone, which have a pre-sale estimate of 20,000-30,000 and is part of the Archant art collection, is going to auction at Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham. Image: ArchantFigures in extensive landscapes, a pair of oils on board by Gwyneth Johnstone, which have a pre-sale estimate of 20,000-30,000 and is part of the Archant art collection, is going to auction at Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham. Image: Archant (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Passage from Hull by Mary Newcomb, which has a pre-sale estimate of 8,000-10,000 and is part of the Archant art collection, is going to auction at Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham. Image: ArchantPassage from Hull by Mary Newcomb, which has a pre-sale estimate of 8,000-10,000 and is part of the Archant art collection, is going to auction at Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham. Image: Archant (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: 'Small yellow boat' by James Dodds, with a pre-sale estimate of 2,000-3,000, part of the Archant art collection is going to auction at Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham. Image: Archant'Small yellow boat' by James Dodds, with a pre-sale estimate of 2,000-3,000, part of the Archant art collection is going to auction at Keys Auctioneers and Valuers of Aylsham. Image: Archant (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Kevin Lines of KeysKevin Lines of Keys (Image: Archant)