Toast, Knickers, Jewels and Notes: Craziest Royal Auction Lots
A piece of toast salvaged from Prince Charles's breakfast tray is going up for auction in England next week. As any auctioneer will tell you, provenance is all when it comes to the saleroom, and there's no finer ownership credentials than royalty. Here, we review some of the most notable royal sales, from Wallis's jewels to Queen Vic's knickers.
Royal toast
A piece of toast, said to have come from Prince Charles's breakfast on the day he married Princess Diana, is to be auctioned next week.
The toast is well preserved, having not been buttered, unlike this slice.
The mother of a Buckingham Palace maid, who was visiting her daughter at the time of the 1981 wedding, claims to have taken the leftover slice.
Rosemarie Smith, 83, from Derby, said she had stored the slice in a Royal Crown Derby cup at her home ever since.
"I was with her in the corridor and saw Prince Charles had left some toast on the tray. I had been thinking about a keepsake from the wedding and saw the toast and thought to myself: 'Why not'?"
One's Knickers
A PAIR of silk knickers allegedly owned by the Queen were put up for sale on eBay, and sold for over $10,000.
The underwear was sold by the estate of Baron Joseph "Sepy" de Bicske Dobronyi, described as an aristocrat, art collector, traveller and bon vivant.
It is alleged the bloomer-style knickers, which have not been confirmed as authentic, were left on a private jet during the Queen’s visit to Chile in 1968.
There, it is claimed, they were picked up by the pilot and given to his friend, Hungarian-born Dobronyi, who died in 2010.
It is alleged the bloomer-style knickers, which have not been confirmed as authentic, were left on a private jet during the Queen’s visit to Chile in 1968.
There, it is claimed, they were picked up by the pilot and given to his friend, Hungarian-born Dobronyi, who died in 2010.
Wonders of Wallis
A Sotheby's employee holds an emerald, ruby and diamond broach belonging to the Duchess of Windsor and created by Cartier in 1957. Wallis's jewels fetched in the region of £3 million GBP at the sale.
Wonders of Wallis (2)
An onyx and diamond panther bracelet also included in the sale.
Lame Duck
Not all royal auctions are glamorous: how about this set of duck figurines, including two which had lost their heads, which were among the lots on view at the Princess Michael of Kent possessions auction in 2006. The ducks fetched £30.
Dressing Diana
Diana's Gowns
Two of Princess Diana's dresses which were auctioned through WE tv & Wedding Central in Beverly Hills on May 7th in celebration of the Royal Wedding, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity, are shown at Times Square on April 20, 2011
What Am I Bid?
Another Princess Diana Dress Auction at Waddington's Auctioneers on June 23, 2011 in Toronto, Canada.
Going, Going, Gone!
A see-through dress worn by Kate Middleton during a charity fashion show at St Andrews Universty, Scotland, in 2002, pictured at an auction in central London, on March 17, 2011. The transparent black number, worn at Saint Andrews University fashion show in Scotland which William attended, fetched £10,000.
Close Up
Detail of the see through knitted dress designed by Charlotte Todd which was worn by Kate Middleton at the annual St Andrews University charity fashion show in 2002
Backstairs Billy
Pages 2 & 3 of a handwritten letter from HRH Diana Princess of Wales to William Tallon dated June 28th 1982 (written following the birth of her son Prince William), which was estimated at £1500 GBP. The lifetime collection of William Tallon (known affectionately as 'Backstairs Billy'), a longstanding servant of the Royal Family, went to auction on July 5, 2008.
Drinks, please
A request for coffee and champagne from the Queen mum
And Your Reward Is...
A Royal Presentation silver snuff box inscribed inside 'Clarence House - For William Tallon in gratitude for 40 years of faithful service from Elizabeth R'.
Royal Train Spotter
Neil Booth who has been a collector of railway memorabilia since his childhood poses with a selection of locomotive name plates including Lady Diana Spencer and the station name Althorp Park which were auctioned off.
Speedy Goncharlies
Prince Charles's Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante was sold at Sotheby's in 1995 In Aid Of The Prince Of Wales's Charities Trust. Also in the sale was a Daimler Db 18 Sports Coupe (right), originally ordered in 1950 in King George 6th's name.
Bid up
Photos of the Royal family - thats Charles on the deer - to be auctioned later this month after they were found in a photographer's attic.
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