On April 5, 2011 South African freelance photographer Anton Hammerl went missing after coming under fire from Gaddafi loyalists. For 44 days his family was told repeatedly by the Libyan regime that he was alive and well. The truth is he was left to die in the desert. A campaign is currently underway to locate and recover his remains.

Antib Hammerl in Brega. Photo credit: Unaj Aranzadi.

2011 was one of the worst years for photojournalism with 3 deaths in addition to Anton’s, followed by yet another in 2012. Besides raising funds for Anton’s 11, 8 and 1 year-old children the evening aims to highlight the sacrifices made by photographers – particularly freelancers – who assume great risks to bring back images to agencies, magazines, publishers and readers worldwide, often with little backup.

Signed prints by some of the world’s leading photographers – including Sebastiao Salgado, Alec Soth, Christopher Anderson, Ed Kashi, Yuri Kozyrev, Larry Fink, Lynsey Addario, Susan Meiselas, Ron Haviv, David Burnett, Joao Silva, Bruce Davidson, Greg Marinovich, Samuel Aranda, Roger Ballen and Vincent Laforet – will be auctioned off by Christie’s Senior Vice President Lydia Fenet.

"The upcoming ‘Friends of Anton’ auction at Christie’s is a milestone in contemporary photojournalism", says New York-based collector Alan L. Paris, "As a collector of photojournalism, I am particularly excited because this is the first ever auction dedicated to contemporary photojournalism. The contributors are top notch, the photos are of the highest quality, the material is fresh to the marketplace, and it is all for a very good cause."

• Christie’s is located at 20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020.
• Auction: 6:30pm, May 15th, 2012.
• 501c(3) Reporters Without Borders is the fiscal sponsor of this all-volunteer evening, which is made possible by the generous assistance of Christie’s, Innovative Philanthropy and Edelman. 

A beautiful signed print by VII photographer Ed Kashi from his series about ageing.
Ed Kashi

A tour of London in Frontline’s armoured vehicle with chauffeur and guide Vaughan Smith.

One of Julian Assange’s disguises, a USB stick containing the Afghanistan and Iraq War Logs and a lunch or dinner with Julian Assange to take you through the logs.
Wikileaks

Murdo Macleod’s book GNIUS (“face” in Gaelic), with a signed foreword by Alan Rusbridger.
The Guardian

A weekend stay for two at the Gandamack Lodge in Kabul; food, drink and armoury included.
Peter Jouvenal

Two signed Louis Theroux DVD box sets: The Strange & The Dangerous and Law & Disorder and a coffee with Louis.
Louis Theroux

A money can’t buy visit to London’s most exclusive gin bars
The private bar at the Beefeater Distillery in Kennington is famed as possibly the world’s most exclusive gin bar – cocktails at the distillery will be followed by food and drinks at Mark’s bar at Hix before a visit to London’s next most exclusive gin bar – the private club of the Yeoman Warders in the Tower of London. An exclusive opportunity to see the ceremony of the keys at the Tower completes the experience for 4 people.
Chivas Brothers

An opportunity to sit in the BBC News studio watching the 6 o’clock news be transmitted live.
George Alagiah & the BBC

Jon Snow’s set of socks and tie.
Jon Snow

A night out in Paris with free drinks for two at Bar 61.
Remy Ourdan, Bar 61 Paris

A signed print by one of France’s most experienced war photographers, Patrick Chauvel.
Patrick Chauvel

A tour of ITV News newsroom and studios, meet the presenters and watch from behind the scenes as an ITV News programme is broadcast live.
ITN

War Stories and Six Days by Jeremy Bowen, signed by the man himself PLUS a Hassan Nasrallah car air freshener from Hezbollah.
Jeremy Bowen

A framed photograph of Paddy O’Connell in mid-flow at a First Wednesday event, signed by the man himself.
Chris King & Paddy O’Connell

Home cooked spaghetti Bolognese at Paddy O’Connell’s London residence.
Paddy O’Connell

A Limited Edition signed copy of Eugene Richards’ War is Personal -a real collectors’ item.
Aidan Sullivan & Getty Images

A selection of 10 titles from V40, Verso’s 40th year of radical independent publishing.
The Verso Book of Dissent
The Obama Syndrome by Tariq Ali
Surveys from Exile by Karl Marx (his journalism from London!)
Meltdown by Paul Mason
Dispatches from the Dark Side by Gareth Peirce
Israel and Palestine by Avi Shlaim
None of us were like this before by Joshua ES Phillips
Words & Money by Andre Schiffrin
The Return of the Public by Dan Hind
A Seventh Man by John Berger and Jean Mohr
Verso

Dinner in the BBC’s canteen with John Sweeney and an undercover tour of the BBC.
John Sweeney

A stunning photograph by VII photographer Gary Knight of India’s Special Boat Force patrolling the small canals off Lake Dal near Srinagar, printed by Metro Imaging.
Gary Knight & Metro Imaging

An all expenses paid weekend for two at the Frontline Club.
The Frontline Club

Bottle of The Glenlivet Founders Reserve
Bottled this year to mark the visit to The Glenlivet by HRH The Prince of Wales to open the newly expanded Glenlivet Distillery. Only 1824 bottles of this 21 year old single malt were produced to mark the year George Smith founded the distillery. (Retail £250)
Chivas Brothers

To book for the Annual Party please see here (MEMBERS ONLY).

The auction features photography from top fine art photographers and photojournalists, including Jane Bown and Dave Stewart. The photographs include some limited edition signed works, featuring well known personalities and political themes. The photography will be sold by Sotheby’s auctioneer Adrian Biddell. This fantastic evening will also include performances from London based ‘Beats of Polynesia’ and Special Guests on the night will include members of the Samoan rugby team. The event will be held at the Financial Times, 1 Southwark Bridge on Tuesday 9th March from 7pm onwards.

For more information and details on how to attend Annabel Cook can be reached at print.auction@ft.com. RSVPs by 3.30pm today.