Amid the chaos and conflict of recent times we have something wonderful to celebrate in 2022 – the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Queen Elizabeth II took up her role on February 6, 1952 so this year, at the age of 95, she is marking 70 years of service to the people of the UK, the Realms and the Commonwealth. She is the first British monarch to do so.
Much is planned to mark this unprecedented milestone including a four-day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5.
I could not let this momentous anniversary pass without doing something to honour it. So, on May 26 Hansons will hold a Royal Memorabilia Platinum Jubilee Auction – and I hope some remarkable finds will come to the fore to make it special.
Royal memorabilia spark marvellous memories of monarchs, milestones and royal celebrations. Many of you will remember the street parties that marked the Queen’s 1977 Silver Jubilee. Perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to meet or greet Her Royal Highness during a visit, or attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Hansons’ royal finds have hit the headlines over the years, such as the discovery of Queen Victoria’s bloomers in 2008. They sold for £4,500 along with a chemise, £3,800, and a nightdress, £5,200. Bids came in from Brazil, Russia, Hong Kong and New York, such is the fascination with the British monarchy.
But the bloomers story did not end there. In 2020 we found another pair together with a skirt, bodice, stockings and leather boots belonging to Queen Victoria. They had been in a Norfolk wardrobe for more than 100 years.
They sold for more than £17,000 with most of the items secured for £14,000 by Historic Royal Palaces. This independent charity looks after London’s Kensington Palace, Victoria’s place of birth, alongside five other former royal residences.
The clothing is now part of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection cared for by Historic Royal Palaces. I’m proud Hansons helped to save these items for the nation.
The seller inherited the items from his ancestor, Scottish-born photographer Alexander Lamont Henderson. He received a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria to depict everyday royal life. Consequently, as well as the royal clothing, Hansons managed the sale of Henderson’s photographic archive. It included 69 oval enamel miniature photographic portraits and numerous glass slides, one capturing Queen Victoria’s drawing room in the Grand Hotel in Grasse, France.
We’ve even sold a slice of Queen Victoria’s wedding cake – well, a few surviving crumbs. It was discovered wrapped in parchment, inscribed, folded and wax sealed twice. The cake was said to belong to Robert Sayer, a lieutenant aboard HMS Victory. Those crumbs made £760 in 2016.
Still on a food theme, in 2012 we uncovered a slice of royal toast! It was believed to have come from Prince Charles’s breakfast on the day he married Princess Diana in 1981.
The Derby mother of a Buckingham Palace maid, who was visiting her daughter at the time, said one of her daughter’s duties was to collect Prince Charles’s breakfast tray from outside his room. Our vendor was with her in the corridor, spotted the prince had left some toast and decided to take it as a keepsake. She stored it in a Royal Crown Derby cup for 21 years. It sold for £230.
Royal servants inevitably gain some of the best souvenirs. In 2020 Hansons sold a lifetime collection of touching private letters and cards from members of the British royal family – sent to a woman who dedicated her life to them.
The late Marjorie Dawson grew up in a terraced house in Bolton, was orphaned at the age of 12 but went on to become Princess Alexandra of Kent’s personal maid when the royal was 18. Marjorie, then 39, served her from 1954 until she retired at the age of 75 in 1990.
She travelled the world with the royal family, was whisked round the dance floor by Prince Philip, attended royal weddings, became a firm friend of Prince Charles and stayed in every royal residence from Buckingham Palace to Balmoral.
Her vast collection of memorabilia included letters and cards hand-signed by Princess Alexandra of Kent, Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
I hope this inspires you to dig out any royal memorabilia. I would like to find something extra special to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, honouring her life, work and dedication to duty.
If you have any royal memorabilia, do get in touch. Book a free valuation appointment by emailing [email protected] or calling 01283 733988. General and specialist valuations are available every week, by appointment, at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, including, on March 18, 10am-4pm, free textile and clothing valuations with Notty Hornblower.
