Bonhams’ upcoming auction of fine Photographs in London takes place on Thursday 17th November at 2pm. This varied and exciting sale includes material from the very beginnings of the history of the medium through to works by some of the world’s most celebrated and sought-after contemporary masters.

The sale commences with a strong selection of rare 19th century photographs. A haunting winter image of Harlech Castle by Thomas Annan leads into three portraits by Julia Margaret Cameron, comprising an intimate shot of the photographer’s two grandchildren Margaret and Adeline (estimate £4,000-6,000), her infamous portrait of Charles Darwin, which Darwin praised as the best photograph ever taken of him (estimate £2,000-3,000), and an exquisite albumen print of Julia Jackson from 1867, one of the only known examples of her pioneering reversal technique (estimate £25,000-35,000).

Modernist works of particular note are two vintage ‘Papier découpé’ images by French photographer François Kollar (each estimated £2,500-3,000). These are complemented wonderfully by the work of János Szász, whose abstract images, ‘Wire/ Cím nélkül (Drót)’ (estimate £700–900) and ‘Slide/ Csúszda’ (estimate £800-1,200) epitomise the highly creative, technically experimental approach to photography that was coming out of Eastern Europe at this time.

A host of big British names introduce the next section: Bill Brandt, Wolfgang Suschitzky and John Bulmer, the latter’s dark, atmospheric photographs capturing the gritty reality of life in the North of England. One of two Brandt lots in the sale, the eye-opening portrait of the Hurst Family dining in their unkempt home in Jarrow, Newcastle, is accompanied by five letters from the photographer (estimate £1,500-2,000).

Also included in the sale are three important works by Robert Mapplethorpe, including ‘Tyrone’ (estimate £1,500-2,000), ’Tulips’ (estimate £3,000-5,000) and his astonishing ‘Calla Lily’ image. Taken in 1986 and estimated at £30,000-50,000, ‘Calla Lily’ is an exquisite example of Mapplethorpe’s mastery of lighting and form. This is a much sought-after opportunity to acquire a print of one of the artist’s most beautiful images.

Shot for German Vogue in 1993 and one of the most iconic images ever taken of the young Kate Moss, Albert Watson’s ‘Kate Moss, Marrakech’, is another standout lot (estimate £12,000-18,000). This piece is one of several images of timeless beauties featuring in the sale: others include Marilyn Monroe by Andre de Dienes (estimate £2,000 - 3,000), Shirley Eaton for ‘Goldfinger’ by David Hurn (estimate £2,000 - 3,000 for a group of three), Brigitte Bardot by Terry O'Neill (estimate £4,000 - 6,000) and Werner Bokelberg’s contact sheet of Uschi Obermaier taken in 1969 (estimate £2,000 - 3,000).

A striking collection of photobooks comes next, including avant-garde American artist Ed Ruscha’s infamous ‘Babycakes With Weights’ with presentation box (estimate £2,000 - 3,000), and a group of rare photobooks by Japanese photographer Hajime Sawatari, including ‘Alice’ , his controversial Seventies interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale of the adventures of Alice Liddell (estimate £800-1,200 for the group of three).

The sale concludes with an impressive selection of contemporary material. Featured lots include Nan Goldin’s striking ‘Amanda in the Shower, Hamburg’ (estimate £3,000 - 4,000), Nobuyoshi Araki’s ‘Kaori’ (estimate £4,000 - 6,000), ‘Dance Study #1’ by Miles Aldridge (estimate £4,000 - 6,000) and Erwin Olaf’s arresting image of a woman in despair from his 2007 series ‘Grief’ (estimate £6,000 - 8,000). Another star lot is a portfolio of eight prints by various photographers donated to the Merce Cunningham Dance Company to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Featured artists include Gregory Crewdson, Candida Höfer and Cindy Sherman (estimate £8,000 - 12,000).