A menu doodled on by “naughty” artist David Hockney is set to fetch £15,000 at auction.
The restaurant price list features dishes such as ‘Poached Finnan Haddock with arsenic sauce’, ‘Calves balls in crème’ and ‘Hot ding dong on toast’.
What started as a trip out for lunch has now turned into one of the sought after menus in the nation.
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Hockney and painter Patrick Procktor were out for some food at a Hungry Horse, as reported by Need To Know.
The pair at the spot on Fulham Road, Hammersmith, west London, began doodling on the menu.
According to a cashier who later became the owner of the restaurant, a ‘flouncy waiter’ requested a clean menu after a customer had drawn on their one.
Fortunately the pair were recognised by the workers and were labelled ‘very naughty boys’ before taking their menu away.
The menu from 1969 was framed by the restaurateur who had the fortunate foresight – with the item now on sale for £15,000 55 years later.
The artwork will feature in the Christmas Fine Art catalogue at Sloane Street Auctions tomorrow (5 Dec).
Daniel Hunt, Sloane Street Auctions’ owner, said: “Recognising the customer who had doodled over the menu with their brand new Mont Blanc ink pen as David Hockney, sitting with Patrick Procktor, they promptly told them they were very naughty boys and whisked the menu away.
“This is a wonderful piece of social and even art history.
“Hockney remains Britain’s favourite living artist and has always displayed a tremendous sense of humour.
“This gem helps recapture a moment in time shared between two great friends during one of the most creative periods of London’s recent past.”
