5th Nov, 2024 9:30
Royalty, Antiques & Fine Art
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H.M. King Edward VIII (later the Duke of Windsor), fine English navy wool fur lined overcoat with Astrakhan collar
H.M. King Edward VIII (later the Duke of Windsor), fine English navy wool fur lined overcoat with Astrakhan collar made for the monarch in 1934 by Simpson & London Ltd when he was Prince of Wales. This very stylish coat is cut in the military fashion with wool twill body, double breasted front with two rows of six polished horn buttons and features an angled breast pocket and angled side pockets with flaps, upturned cuffs and wide Astrakhan collar. It is further enhanced with a nutria fur lining for extra warmth. The inside pocket bears the tailor's label marked 'H.R.H.The Prince of Wales K.G./ No.X4-438 and dated 2.11.34. The size is chest 40in (102cm), length 49in, (124cm)
H.R.H. The Duke of Windsor as he became was considered a leader of men's fashion even down to the way he tied his ties (the Windsor Knot). In his book 'A Family Album' published in 1960, he recalls this coat being made for him as a gift by his old friend and equerry, General Trotter, and had served him well as an invaluable cold-weather asset: "In New York, when I venture out into the streets in the winter, I almost always put on a heavy, fur lined overcoat..... My grandfather, who liked to wear a coat with an Astrakhan collar, might have not have scorned this one of mine.....'
After the Duke and Duchess of Windsor died this coat and the rest of their possessions were sold by Sothebys in several monumental sales in New York in 1997. The coat which had been so beautifully cared for along with the rest of the Duke's wardrobe by his loyal valet Sydney Johnson, was numbered lot 2865 and far exceeded its estimate of 1500-2500 dollars going on to make 20,700 dollars (approx £15,000 at the time). This is a very rare opportunity to buy a very stylish and beautifully made Royal overcoat with guaranteed provenance belonging to one of the most famous and controversial British monarchs of the 20th century.
Sold for £2,100
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For clients unable or not wishing to attend our sale we are happy to accept absentee bids. Absentee bids can either be left in person with our office team, phoned or emailed to us. We simply require lot numbers and descriptions and the maximum bid which you wish to leave. Absentee bids are then transferred to our auction pages and the auctioneer will bid on your behalf. If the lot can be purchased at a lower price than your maximum bid our auctioneers will always endeavour to work in your interest to purchase the lot for you as cheaply as other bids will allow. If the same bid is left by two people on a lot we will precedence to the bidder who leaves the bid first.
We are happy to provide condition reports for online and absentee bidders and to supply additional photographs on any lot. We ask that condition report requests are submitted at least 24 hours prior to the sale. (Whilst every care is taken to give an accurate condition report, we accept no responsibility for any omissions or errors in our reports. It is the buyer’s responsibility to view the lots and satisfy themselves as to their condition.)
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We are happy to accept phone bids for our Fine Art and Collectors’ sales. Phone bids may be arranged in person with our office team, by phone or by email. We simply require the lot number and details of the lots which you wish to bid on and contact phone number / numbers. Our phone bidders will call in advance of your chosen lot / lots and bid on your behalf during the sale.
Telephone bids must be booked by 4pm the day before the sale but can be arranged earlier, we have limited lines and certain lots can be over-subscribed for phone bidding, in such instances we conduct a first come, first served basis and we encourage clients to book well in advance or risk being disappointed.
Auction: Royalty, Antiques & Fine Art, 5th Nov, 2024
The catalogue for Reeman Dansie’s Royalty, Fine Art & Antiques sale is available to browse, and we are delighted to be offering almost 1600 lots over the course of two days. The sale begins with the Royalty section, which contains its usual range of rare and desirable items, including a wool overcoat tailor-made for H.M. King Edward VIII, which the later Duke of Windsor found particularly useful for the cold New York winters (lot 1, £2000-3000). Other highlights include an important English Royal inlaid satinwood table made for H.M. Queen Adelaide, the Consort of H.M. King William IV (lot 81, £2500-3500). A range of photographs, letters, and other interesting ephemera can be found throughout the section.
Ceramics and glassware will follow; it’s a particularly interesting section, with everything from William de Morgan, and Martin Brothers, to Chinese porcelain, represented. Notable lots include a rare English delft ware Duke of Marlborough charger dating from circa 1710 (lot 328,£3000-5000). The rest of the day will include silver, jewellery, and watches, where there are plenty of opportunities to find an ideal Christmas present for a loved one: a favourite piece of ours is a fine Victorian gold moonstone and rose-cut diamond bangle, the circular carved moonstone depicting the man in the moon (lot 606, £2000-3000).
Day two will commence with the works of art section, which will open with Part I of the Christopher Rayner Collectionof playing cards. Spanning three centuries, and including rare Tarot and Transformation decks, we anticipate tremendous interest in this fine and well-preserved collection. Other highlights include a bronze group sculpture by Francesco Fanelli, the Italian-born royal sculptor of Charles I of England (lot 1104, £5000-7000).
Pictures will follow; there are over 250 to be sold, and we are particularly excited about an important pair of oil paintings of Grosvenor and Hanover Squares, by Edward Dayes (1763-1804) (lots 1301 and 1302, £20,000-30,000 each). The paintings come with interesting provenance, having been the property of Edward Curzon, 6th Earl Howe of Gopsall Park and Penn House, thence by descent to a Lady of title. The sale will conclude with furniture and rugs, where a number of Liberty pieces will be sold alongside a wide range of other items dating from the 17th to 20th centuries.
We look forward to welcoming you to the sale.
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Viewing
Friday 1st November 12pm - 5pm
Saturday 2nd November 9am - 1pm
Monday 4th November 9am - 6pm
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