LONDON.- The name Eden is amongst the few synonymous with 20th century British politics. Bonhams Collections sale on Wednesday 28 June will offer highlights from the estate of a notable member of this political family, the late John Eden, Baron Eden of Winton. Lord Eden was the nephew of Anthony Eden, Prime Minister between 1955-1957, and after serving in the 2nd Gurkha Rifles in the Second World War he too forged a career in politics. When first elected as Conservative MP for Bournemouth West in 1954 he was the youngest member of the House of Commons, known as the ‘Baby of the House’.

Following the death of his father Sir Timothy Eden in 1963, John Eden inherited the titles of 9th Baronet of West Auckland and the 7th Baronet of Maryland. One of his distinguished predecessors was Robert Eden, Governor of Maryland, who, as one of the last surviving British colonial governors, left America days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Eden diligently represented his constituents for thirty years, serving as Minister of State for Industry, and Minister for Posts & Telecommunications in Edward Heath’s government, and was appointed to the Privy Council in 1972. Following his retirement from the Commons, Eden was created a life peer as Baron Eden of Winton, of Rushyford in the County of Durham on 3 October 1983. With still much to give, Lord Eden entered the House of Lords, where he served until 2015. On his retirement he was the oldest surviving former MP with the earliest date of first election.

Chairing many diverse organisations including the International Tree Foundation and the British Lebanese Association, Lord Eden particularly enjoyed his role as Chairman of the Trustees of the Royal Armouries between 1986 and 1994 and was instrumental in the creation of the new headquarters museum for the Armouries at Leeds to which 38,000 items were moved from London.

Charlie Thomas, Bonhams Group Head, Private Collections, Furniture & Works of Art, U.K, commented: “The Eden family are a truly political family, one which has had a huge impact, both on a local and a national scale. We are delighted to be able to bring items for the estate of the late John Eden, Baron Eden of Winton to auction as part of Bonhams Collections sale.”

Highlights for the collection of Lord Eden include:

·Gainsborough Dupont (Sudbury 1754-1797 London), Portrait of Anne Smyth, in a white dress and hat, holding her pinafore in her right hand. Estimate: GBP2,500 - 3,500.

Anne Smyth (circa. 1774-1808) was to become Lady Eden when she married Frederick Morton Eden, 2nd Baronet of Maryland, in 1792. Her father was perfumer to the Royal Household and the family resided on New Bond Street during the 1780s and 90s.Frederick Morton Eden inherited the baronetcy from his father, Robert, in 1784 and was known for his writings on poverty and social change, in particular his volumes The State of the Poor published in 1797. Together they had eight children.

·George James (active England 1755-1795), Portrait of Sir Frederick Morton Eden as a child, seated on a stone step, patting a dog's head, wearing a white dress and red slippers. Estimate: £2,500 - 3,500.

·John Smart (British, 1742-1811), A portrait miniature of a gentleman, traditionally identified as Sir John Eden, wearing a brown coat over his green waistcoat, white chemise and stock, his powdered wig worn en queue and tied with black ribbon. Watercolour on ivory, signed and dated on the obverse, JS/ 1779, gold frame, the reverse set with blue foiled glass. Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000.

·An 18K gold Victorian cigarette case. Louis Dee, London 1882. Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000.