These are some of the lots that will go under the hammer next week from the private art collection of Mary Burkett OBE.

Miss Burkett, of Isel Hall, near Cockermouth, died in November aged 90. 

She was a renowned arts and charity patron and under the terms of her will, some local charities will benefit. 

The auction, at Cockermouth's Mitchells sale room on Station Road, will take place next Thursday and Friday. 

There will be 543 lots, including items from her art collection, built up over many years.

Mark Wise, Mitchells director and auctioneer, said: "It's a privilege and very fitting to act in the sale of Mary’s estate.

"She was a familiar figure here at Mitchells and attended our sales regularly over many years.

"Her art collection reflects a large part of her life, not least her support and patronage of many local artists including Percy Kelly, Edward Hughes, Jenny Cowern and Lorna Graves and other artists of national and international importance."

Miss Burkett was an active supporter locally of the Senhouse Roman Museum in Maryport and Rosehill Theatre in Whitehaven.

She also recognised and promoted the talent of Aspatria artist Sheila Fell (1931-1979), Workington-born artist Percy Kelly (1918-1993) and Alfred Wainwright (1907-1991) whom she regarded as much artist as guidebook author.

As director of Abbot Hall Art Gallery in Kendal for 20 years, she discovered and exhibited the Lake District work of renowned German artist Kurt Schwitters (1887-1948). 

She was also a world-leading authority on the ancient art of feltmaking and was the founder and first president of the International Feltmakers Association.

One of the main highlights of the sale and of particular interest in West Cumbria is a unique collection of illustrated "painted letters" by Mr Kelly, which he sent to Miss Burkett over 25 years.

The correspondence formed the basis for her book Dear Mary, Love Percy - A Creative Thread, edited by David A Cross and published in 2011.

The correspondence consists of 141 lots with estimates ranging from £50 to £600 

Mr Wise said: "It is likely to be the last time a substantial collection of Percy Kelly

artworks comes on the market at any one time.”

Other major highlights include  80 lots of studio potter, 20 pieces by the artist Jenny

Cowern (1943-2005) and an original pencil sketch of Jemima Puddle-Duck by Beatrix Potter for the title page of Jemima Puddle-Duck’s painting book published in 1925.

The drawing is expected to make between £6,000 and £9,000.

Her art collection also includes two fine early English portraits. The first is a 16th century portrait of Sir John Puckering wearing robes as Keeper of the Privy Seal valued at between £4,000 and £6,000 and the second is an early 17th century portrait of Lady Parker (nee Senhouse) wearing a bonnet and embroidered ruff and dress with an estimate of between £3,000 and £5,000.

Also in the sale are a unique collection of letters to Miss Burkett from Stalin’s daughter Svetlana Alliluyeva, known as Lana Peters and felt work by renowned artists. 

Mr Wise added: "She was an astonishing person with huge energy who dedicated a large proportion of her life championing local artistic talent in an unselfish and philanthropic fashion.

"I really cannot imagine, in the increasingly commercial world that we live in, where the next Mary Burkett will come from."

A fully illustrated catalogue, including images and close-ups of all lots to be sold, can be viewed online at www.mitchellsantiques.co.uk.

Lots can also be viewed at the saleroom from Sunday, between 11am and 3pm, Monday and Tuesday from 10am to 5pm and Wednesday from 10am to 7pm.