ID :
11685
Sun, 07/06/2008 - 20:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/11685
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Queen Mother's note fetches 16,000 pounds at auction
H.S. Rao
London, Jul 6 (PTI) A handwritten note by Britain's Queen
Mother requesting Dubonnet and gin with instructions for an
alfresco lunch in the sunshine fetched 16,000 pounds at an
auction at Colchester in Essex.
The note was the star attraction at the sale of Royal
memorabilia belonging to the Queen Mother's favourite page
William 'Backstairs Billy' Tallon, which raised nearly 450,000
pounds Saturday.
The letter, from the Queen Mother to Tallon, said: "I
think that I will take 2 small bottles of Dubonnet and gin
with me this morning, in case it is needed. It is a beautiful
day, could we have lunch under the tree - one could have 14
at the table and four at a small table."
Eight letters written by Princess Diana sold for 20,000
pounds. In one - a handwritten note dated June 28, 1982, she
thanked Tallon for the gifts he sent after the birth of Prince
William.
It read: "We are not sure at the moment what has hit us,
except a very strong pair of lungs! Both parents are making
little sense, we just seem to spend most of our time gazing at
this tiny person. Everyone has been so terribly kind to us,
swamping KP (Kensington Palace) with glorious flowers and
loving messages."
The letter fetched 5,000 pounds.
Less popular were notes and cards written by Prince
Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla. A Christmas card
from them made just 360 pounds.
The 400 people at the auction in Colchester including
several from the U.S. and Canada gasped when bidding began at
1,100 pounds.
The Queen Mother's letter was expected to sell for 300
pounds and eventually fetched 16,000 pounds. It was bought by
an anonymous telephone bidder, who claimed to be standing
outside Buckingham Palace.
The top-priced individual item was a 1945 portrait of
the Queen Mother by Sir James Gunn, which was sold for 30,000
pounds.
Tallon died seven months ago, aged 72, after giving 52
years of loyal service. His collection included photographs,
paintings and ornaments and had been carefully stored in his
one-bedroom grace and favour apartment.
London, Jul 6 (PTI) A handwritten note by Britain's Queen
Mother requesting Dubonnet and gin with instructions for an
alfresco lunch in the sunshine fetched 16,000 pounds at an
auction at Colchester in Essex.
The note was the star attraction at the sale of Royal
memorabilia belonging to the Queen Mother's favourite page
William 'Backstairs Billy' Tallon, which raised nearly 450,000
pounds Saturday.
The letter, from the Queen Mother to Tallon, said: "I
think that I will take 2 small bottles of Dubonnet and gin
with me this morning, in case it is needed. It is a beautiful
day, could we have lunch under the tree - one could have 14
at the table and four at a small table."
Eight letters written by Princess Diana sold for 20,000
pounds. In one - a handwritten note dated June 28, 1982, she
thanked Tallon for the gifts he sent after the birth of Prince
William.
It read: "We are not sure at the moment what has hit us,
except a very strong pair of lungs! Both parents are making
little sense, we just seem to spend most of our time gazing at
this tiny person. Everyone has been so terribly kind to us,
swamping KP (Kensington Palace) with glorious flowers and
loving messages."
The letter fetched 5,000 pounds.
Less popular were notes and cards written by Prince
Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla. A Christmas card
from them made just 360 pounds.
The 400 people at the auction in Colchester including
several from the U.S. and Canada gasped when bidding began at
1,100 pounds.
The Queen Mother's letter was expected to sell for 300
pounds and eventually fetched 16,000 pounds. It was bought by
an anonymous telephone bidder, who claimed to be standing
outside Buckingham Palace.
The top-priced individual item was a 1945 portrait of
the Queen Mother by Sir James Gunn, which was sold for 30,000
pounds.
Tallon died seven months ago, aged 72, after giving 52
years of loyal service. His collection included photographs,
paintings and ornaments and had been carefully stored in his
one-bedroom grace and favour apartment.
