Sunday People

ROLF £25k ART SALE

- By Susan Watkins and Karen Rockett

JAILED paedophile Rolf Harris will be quids in when his art is auctioned – but for half its previous value.

A self-portrait has a guide price of £3,000. It was valued at £6,000 just before his 2014 conviction.

And the disgraced star’s painting of a Maori chief is expected to fetch up to £25,000. It is believed to have been worth up to £50,000 several years ago.

Harris, 86, will receive 4 per cent of the sale prices because of Artist’s Resale Rights. This is although he is serving nearly six years in jail for 12 indecent assaults on four girls, one aged eight.

The paintings will be sold for two different owners by Robson Kay, of Manchester.

Earlier this year, eBay was criticised for allowing sales of art by Harris, who painted the Queen’s portrait before he was exposed as a pervert.

Art experts have called the market for Harris “very difficult”. The 1971 pen and ink self-portrait is on 3ft by 2ft of hessian fabric. Robson Kay said: “We would suggest a guide price of around £3,000.”

The Maori chief was painted on a 6ft by 4ft board on a stage at Oamaru town hall, New Zealand, in 1984. It comes with a letter from Harris confirming its authentici­ty and giving a little background.

The auction spokesman said: “We understand Bonhams valued it at up to £50,000 several years ago.” POLICE sent nine cars after a caller saw a “maniac with a blade”. It was a man clipping his hedge with shears in Salisbury, Wilts. TEN bakers made an 8ft by 11ft gingerbrea­d model of Castle Howard to go on show at the Yorkshire stately home.

 ??  ?? SALE: Harris and Maori pic
SALE: Harris and Maori pic
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