A pair of tortoiseshell glasses that once perched on the end of Sir Winston Churchill’s nose are to be sold at auction.

The plastic-framed reading spectacles were made in 1954 for the former Prime Minister who was often seen wearing glasses when appearing in public.

Complete with a blue leather-covered case, they will be sold by Northamptonshire auctioneers JP Humbert on March 17.

Auctioneer Jonathan Humbert said the glasses, which are in “pristine condition” with no scuffs or marks to the lenses or circular frames, were left with opticians Dixey of Wigmore Street, London, after they had been sent there for some work.

“They were made for Sir Winston,” Mr Humbert said, “and he had them and wore them for some time.

“They went back to have some adjustment or tightening made and they were either then never collected or were replaced.”

Mr Humbert said a compliments slip from Dixey which said “These tortoiseshell spectacles were made in 1954 for the Right Honourable Sir Winston Leonard Churchill”, was also included in the glasses case.

By cross-referencing with pictures of Winston Churchill wearing glasses from the 1950s, auctioneers were able to guarantee their provenance.

They will go into the auction for a “very modest” unreserved starting price of between £200 and £300, Mr Humbert said, but interest in them is expected to be high.

He said: “To get a pair of Churchill’s spectacles in first-class condition with provenance is a real coup.

“Anything he has owned or touched is always at a real premium and these glasses have definitely been on the Church­illian nose.”

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