This may look like an ordinary desk on first glance but it has an extraordinary history behind it.

Because this 200-year-old mahogany desk used to belong to former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and was based at his home in Hughenden Manor. It is being auctioned off next Tuesday.

The desk is described by Christie's auctioneers as being 'five foot by three foot six inches in George III mahogany and satinwood crossbanded partners' with 15 drawers and a cupboard. It is expected to fetch between £5,000 and £8,000.

Mr Disraeli was twice Conservative Prime Minister in 1868 and again in 1874 and was the Earl of Beaconsfield. He was also a keen writer and wrote more than 25 books, both fiction and non-fiction.

Mr Disraeli bought Hughenden Manor, near High Wycombe, and its 750 acre estate in 1847 and lived there with his wife Mary until his death in 1881. The Manor is now a National Trust property.

The desk was then bought by Penelope Vestey in 1954 and is up for sale again following her death earlier this year.

Fliss Coombs from the National Trust said she had not been aware the desk was for sale and was unsure if the Trust would be bidding to return it to the Manor.

The auction will take place at Christie's in South Kensington.