London – A selection of works depicting English coastal scenes by British painters including Alan Lowndes, Mary Fedden and John Bellany are among highlights of the Modern British and Irish Art sale on 26 March at Bonhams Knightsbridge. Harbour in Autumn by Alan Lowndes (British, 1921-1978) leads the sale with an estimate of £30,000-50,000.

Mary Gatenby, Bonhams' Associate Specialist for Modern British and Irish Art in London, commented: "Our spring sale is led by a delightful selection of English coastal scenes, from Gorleston to St Ives, including Alan Lowndes' spectacular Harbour in Autumn. The sale will also bring a strong collection of works by Duncan Grant to auction for the first time, many once owned by Grant's close friend and muse, the writer Paul Roche. A particular highlight is a charming pencil sketch of a woman on the front of a postcard addressed to fellow Charleston resident, Quentin Bell, with his name and address peeking through Grant's elegant linework."

Additional highlights include:

• Lancashire Scene, an evocative work in oil by the great individualist of British Art Theodore Major (British, 1908-1999). Painted in 1951, the work is a masterful example of Major's depictions of his home county; its sinuous streets, industrial landscape and smoky sky. The artist's subtle manipulations of colour and tone skilfully capture the region's distinct atmosphere. The work has an estimate of £15,000-20,000.

• Mary Fedden (British, 1915-2012), Still Life with Oval Window, estimate of £15,000-20,000. A fine example of Fedden's work in the 1970s, the artist employs a distinctive palette of complementary reds, oranges and purples that is typical of works from this period. The piece is offered together with personal correspondences from the artist to the previous owner.

• 22 works by Duncan Grant (British, 1885-1978), many once owned by Grant's close friend and muse, the poet and novelist Paul Roche (British, 1916-2007). Including a pencil drawing of a woman by Grant on the front of a postcard dated 20th April 1939 – the postcard was sent by Harry Lintott, addressed to fellow Bloomsbury artist Quentin Bell while he was living at Charleston, Firle. It has an estimate of £600-800.