Christie's Fine Auction House

Sonya Redway Reading was next placed in the Christie's Fine Art Auction House. After Hepworth's death, in 1978, the painting remained as property of her estate for six years until it was sold to Christie's. The auction of the painting was held on Monday the 2nd of April, 1984 in London. The catalogue of Hepworth's works auctioned off by Christies at that time is titled: Pictures and Drawings Removed from the Studio of the Late Miss Dorothy Hepworth (Patricia Preece). This is a catalogue of auction from the South Kensington Christie's location. At this sale, the painting, Sonya Redway Reading, was purchased by an American collector. He and his family members were the owners of several works by Hepworth and he wanted to add to their collection.

Sources:

"Pictures and Drawings Removed from the Studio of the Late Miss Dorothy Hepworth (Patricia Preece)." Christie's Auction House. London: South Kensington, 1984. Print.