Christie's Are Back Again - A general view of the scene during the sale with the auctioneer, Sir Alec Martin, asking for bide. The world famous sale rooms of Christie's returned to business at their rebuilt premises in King Street, St. James's, today, for the first time since they were blitzed during the war. Christie's have occupied there premises since 1823, and many famous works of art have been auctioned there. Today's sale was of part of the Copner picture collection from Panshaner, the home of Lady Desborough, who died last year. October 16, 1953.