Lowry print of vanished landmark sells at auction

A signed LS Lowry print showing a town's now-vanished level crossing has sold at auction just a few miles away from the scene it depicts.

The Level Crossing, Burton-on-Trent, was sold by Richard Winterton Auctioneers in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

Lowry is believed to have been a frequent visitor to Burton and produced several pictures of scenes in the town.

The painting, of the now lost landmark, sold for £1,700 and features his distinctive style with a boxy depiction of a brewery train and matchstick figures.

The physical level crossing on High Street has long since been decommissioned and removed, with the gates reportedly finding new use as fencing for a farm.

"This was a lovely, clean, unfaded example of a lost local landmark in Lowry's trademark style," said auctioneer David Fergus.

"Frequently packed with fascinating detail, Lowry's distinctive images of industrial scenes and people have timeless appeal."

The Crossing pub – formerly The Blue Posts – can be seen to the right of the picture.

The print was one from a limited edition of 850 published in 1973, with the original oil painting having being completed in 1961.

The seller was from the Sutton Coldfield area and the print went to a private buyer in the UK, the auctioneers said.