But, the sketch of Bethel Street in Norwich – one of the artist’s earliest works – sold for more than £2,000.

Sir Alfred Munnings was born to a farming family in Mendham, which straddles the Norfolk/Suffolk border. After attending Redenhall Grammar School and Framlingham College, when he was just 14, his artistic talent won him an apprenticeship in Norwich.

It was during this time as a poster artist with Page Brothers, which began in 1892, that he sketched the Bethel Street picture.

Chantal Haddon, of Bonhams, said: “We sold the image for £2,400 – so it did sell really well. We don’t usually get sketches – I have worked in East Anglia for nearly eight years but I’ve not seen a drawing like that before.

“We’ve sold paintings by Munnings, but his sketches, especially of Norwich, are quite unusual.”

When he was 20, and still in Norwich, Munnings was proving a talented painter. He successfully submitted a picture for the Royal Academy’s annual exhibition – the first of 230 pictures that were accepted by the Academy.

But some of his early and most celebrated paintings of East Anglian life were done when Munnings lived in Mendham. He rented rooms at Shearings Farm, where the crossroads are now, and befriended a Romany family in the village who became the subjects of many of his paintings.

Despite his early success, Munnings is renowned for his equestrian pictures, and after marrying champion horsewomen Violet McBride, he concentrated on capturing images of racing and hunting activities.

In the latter half of his life, Munnings lived at Castle House in Dedham on the Essex/Suffolk border, which he described as his ‘dream home’.

Following his death in 1959, his wife turned the house into museum which celebrated his life and work.

Diane Roe, who organises visits for the museum, said: “This is really tremendous, and just shows that his reputation is increasing.

“He did say in his autobiography that he thought when he died, his paintings might be worth quite a lot of money.”

In Mendham, the pub – the Sir Alfred Munnings – is the only obvious evidence of his time there.

Landlord Lee Wright was thrilled and said: “It’s amazing isn’t it. It’s great to hear that his paintings, from this beautiful part of the countryside, are worth so much.”

To visit Castle House telephone Diane Roe, 01206 322127

The Sir Alfred Munnings pub in Mendham is open from noon until midnight, Monday to Friday, and some of the artist’s work is on show.

georgina.smith@dissexpress.co.uk

WebWatch:

www.siralfredmunnings.co.uk