Winston Churchill's despatch box sells for more than £150k

Winston Churchill's Secretary of State for the Colonies Dispatch Box number 7 was sold at an auction at Sotheby's tonightPhoto: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Winston Churchill's old despatch box has been sold for £158,500 at an auction at Sotheby's in London tonight.

Wartime leader Winston Churchill Credit: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

The iconic red leather box was used by the former Prime Minister to carry his documents when he went to parliament to deliver speeches during his days as Secretary of State for The Colonies in 1921 and 1922.

Sold as part of a sale celebrating the life of Churchill's last surviving child, Lady Mary Soames, the box fetched more than 25 times it's pre-sale estimate of £5,000-£7,000.

Other lots featured in the sale included 15 of the wartime Prime Minister's private paintings offering a glimpse into Churchill's artistic talents.

The Goldfish Pool at Chartwell by Winston Churchill Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Sotheby's said they were honored to have been put in charge of selling a piece of British history.

Henry Wyndham, chairman of Sotheby's Europe, said: "As the 50th year since Sir Winston Churchill's death approaches, it is a huge honour to have been entrusted with this sale."

Last updated Wed 17 Dec 2014