A GOLD, ENAMEL AND GARNET BODICE BROOCH FROM 1830 THAT BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA MADE FOURTEEN TIMES ITS PRE-SALE ESTIMATE AT BONHAMS JEWELRY SALE THAT TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE. WITH A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF £600–800, THE BROOCH SOLD FOR £11,400. THE FINELY DETAILED BROOCH IS EMBELLISHED WITH GREEN AND RED ENAMEL, SET WITH CABOCHON GARNETS THAT SUSPEND AN ELONGATED DROP OF A SIMILAR DESIGN. THE BROOCH ORIGINALLY BELONGED TO VICTORIA, DUCHESS OF KENT, WHO ON HER DEATH IN 1861 LEFT HER JEWELRY TO HER DAUGHTER, QUEEN VICTORIA. QUEEN VICTORIA SUBSEQUENTLY GAVE THE BROOCH TO HER THIRD DAUGHTER HELENA, PRINCESS CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, AS A PRESENT ON HER 24th BIRTHDAY IN 1870. THE REVERSE OF THE BROOCH HAS A SIMPLE, YET VERY PERSONAL ENGRAVING: 'BELONGED TO DEAR GRANDMAMMA V. FROM MAMA V.R. TO HELENA 25th MAY 1870'. ALTHOUGH PRINCESS HELENA MARRIED THE GERMAN PRINCE CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN IN 1866, THEY REMAINED IN BRITAIN CLOSE TO THE QUEEN, WHO LIKED TO HAVE HER DAUGHTERS NEARBY. HELENA WAS CONSIDERED THE MOST ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, CARRYING OUT AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAM OF ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS. SHE WAS ALSO A COMMITTED PATRON OF CHARITIES, AND WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE RED CROSS. SHE WAS ALSO THE ORIGINAL PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWORK, AND PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL BRITISH NURSES' ASSOCIATION.

BROOCH THE BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA SELLS FOR £11,400

A GOLD, ENAMEL AND GARNET BODICE BROOCH FROM 1830 THAT BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA MADE FOURTEEN TIMES ITS PRE-SALE ESTIMATE AT BONHAMS JEWELRY SALE THAT TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE. WITH A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF £600–800, THE BROOCH SOLD FOR £11,400. THE FINELY DETAILED BROOCH IS EMBELLISHED WITH GREEN AND RED ENAMEL, SET WITH CABOCHON GARNETS THAT SUSPEND AN ELONGATED DROP OF A SIMILAR DESIGN. THE BROOCH ORIGINALLY BELONGED TO VICTORIA, DUCHESS OF KENT, WHO ON HER DEATH IN 1861 LEFT HER JEWELRY TO HER DAUGHTER, QUEEN VICTORIA. QUEEN VICTORIA SUBSEQUENTLY GAVE THE BROOCH TO HER THIRD DAUGHTER HELENA, PRINCESS CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, AS A PRESENT ON HER 24th BIRTHDAY IN 1870. THE REVERSE OF THE BROOCH HAS A SIMPLE, YET VERY PERSONAL ENGRAVING: 'BELONGED TO DEAR GRANDMAMMA V. FROM MAMA V.R. TO HELENA 25th MAY 1870'. ALTHOUGH PRINCESS HELENA MARRIED THE GERMAN PRINCE CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN IN 1866, THEY REMAINED IN BRITAIN CLOSE TO THE QUEEN, WHO LIKED TO HAVE HER DAUGHTERS NEARBY. HELENA WAS CONSIDERED THE MOST ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, CARRYING OUT AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAM OF ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS. SHE WAS ALSO A COMMITTED PATRON OF CHARITIES, AND WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE RED CROSS. SHE WAS ALSO THE ORIGINAL PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWORK, AND PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL BRITISH NURSES' ASSOCIATION.

BROOCH THE BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA SELLS FOR £11,400

DAVID BENNETT, SOTHEBY'S CHAIRMAN OF JEWELRY FOR EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST, TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT SOTHEBY'S WILL SELL THE MOST VALUABLE EMERALD AND DIAMOND TIARA TO HAVE APPEARED AT AUCTION IN OVER 30 YEARS IN ITS SALE OF MAGNIFICENT AND NOBLE JEWELS IN GENEVA ON 17.MAY. ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR A RECORD £3.1-6.2 MILLION, THE HIGHLY IMPORTANT AND EXTREMELY RARE EMERALD AND DIAMOND TIARA IS COMPOSED OF 11 EXCEPTIONALLY RARE COLOMBIAN EMERALD PEAR-SHAPED DROPS WHICH WEIGH OVER 500 CARATS IN TOTAL, WHICH MAY WELL HAVE ORIGINALLY ADORNED THE NECK OF A MAHARAJAH. THE EMERALDS ARE ALSO BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN IN THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF EMPRESS EUGENIE. THE SUPERB TIARA WAS COMMISSIONED, POSSIBLY FROM THE RENOWNED JEWELERS CHAUMET, BY GUIDO COUNT VON HENCKEL, FIRST PRINCE VON DONNERSMARCK FOR HIS SECOND WIFE PRINCESS KATHARINA. THE JEWELRY COLLECTION OF THE DONNERSCARCKS WAS KNOWN TO BE ON PAR WITH, OR EVEN TO HAVE EXCEEDED, THOSE OF MANY OF THE CROWNED HEADS OF EUROPE.

SOTHEBY'S TO SELL EMERALD AND DIAMOND TIARA

DAVID BENNETT, SOTHEBY'S CHAIRMAN OF JEWELRY FOR EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST, TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT SOTHEBY'S WILL SELL THE MOST VALUABLE EMERALD AND DIAMOND TIARA TO HAVE APPEARED AT AUCTION IN OVER 30 YEARS IN ITS SALE OF MAGNIFICENT AND NOBLE JEWELS IN GENEVA ON 17.MAY. ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR A RECORD £3.1-6.2 MILLION, THE HIGHLY IMPORTANT AND EXTREMELY RARE EMERALD AND DIAMOND TIARA IS COMPOSED OF 11 EXCEPTIONALLY RARE COLOMBIAN EMERALD PEAR-SHAPED DROPS WHICH WEIGH OVER 500 CARATS IN TOTAL, WHICH MAY WELL HAVE ORIGINALLY ADORNED THE NECK OF A MAHARAJAH. THE EMERALDS ARE ALSO BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN IN THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF EMPRESS EUGENIE. THE SUPERB TIARA WAS COMMISSIONED, POSSIBLY FROM THE RENOWNED JEWELERS CHAUMET, BY GUIDO COUNT VON HENCKEL, FIRST PRINCE VON DONNERSMARCK FOR HIS SECOND WIFE PRINCESS KATHARINA. THE JEWELRY COLLECTION OF THE DONNERSCARCKS WAS KNOWN TO BE ON PAR WITH, OR EVEN TO HAVE EXCEEDED, THOSE OF MANY OF THE CROWNED HEADS OF EUROPE.

SOTHEBY'S TO SELL EMERALD AND DIAMOND TIARA

A RIFLE BELONGING TO EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, BEFORE HE BECAME KING EDWARD VII WILL BE OFFERED BY GAVIN GARDINER (IN ASSOCIATION WITH SOTHEBY'S) IS A SALE OF FINE MODERN AND VINTAGE SPORTING GUNS AND RIFLES ON 20.APRIL, AT SOTHEBY'S NEW BOND STREET LOCATION. MADE BY FAMOUS LONDON GUNMAKER JAMES PURDEY & SONS, THIS HAMMER RIFLE WAS BUILT IN 1873 FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES (KING EDWARD VII 1901-1911) AND WAS USED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN TO INDIA AND USED DURING THE PRINCE'S VISIT IN 1876. RECORDS STATE THAT HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT PLACED AN ORDER WITH PURDEY'S FOR A NUMBER OF RIFLES TO BE PRESENTED AS GIFTS DURING THE VISIT, HOWEVER THIS WAS THE PRINCE'S OWN EXAMPLE AND IS ESTIMATED AT £7,000-9,000. COMMENTING ON THE AUCTION, GAVIN GARDINER SAID: 'I AM DELIGHTED TO BE OFFERING SUCH A HISTORIC RIFLE AT MY FORTHCOMING AUCTION. BUILT IN 1873 FOR EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, THE RIFLE WAS GIVEN TO ONE OF HIS FAITHFUL HUSSARS FOLLOWING HIS RECORD TIGER SHOOT ON HIS STATE VISIT TO INDIA IN 1876. UNLIKE MANY OTHER RIFLES PRESENTED ON THIS VISIT AS GIFTS, THIS PARTICULAR RIFLE WAS THE PRINCE'S OWN, THAT HE USED TO GOOD EFFECT, AND WAS GIVEN IN REWARD TO FAITHFUL SERVICE TO A MEMBER OF HIS OWN REGIMENT AT THE END OF THE MONTHS SPORT. IT IS RARE THAT SUCH IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC ITEMS APPEAR AT AUCTION, AND I AM VERY PLEASED TO HAVE DISCOVERED THIS PIECE.' GAVIN GARDINER IS THE ONLY SPECIALIST FIREARMS AUCTIONEER HOLDING HIS AUCTIONS IN THE HEART OF LONDON'S WEST END, WHERE HE HOLDS TWO SALES EACH YEAR AS WELL AS HIS PRESTIGIOUS SALE AT THE GLENEAGLES HOTEL, SCOTLAND IN AUGUST.

RARE KING EDWARD VII RIFLE TO BE AUCTIONED IN APRIL

A RIFLE BELONGING TO EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, BEFORE HE BECAME KING EDWARD VII WILL BE OFFERED BY GAVIN GARDINER (IN ASSOCIATION WITH SOTHEBY'S) IS A SALE OF FINE MODERN AND VINTAGE SPORTING GUNS AND RIFLES ON 20.APRIL, AT SOTHEBY'S NEW BOND STREET LOCATION. MADE BY FAMOUS LONDON GUNMAKER JAMES PURDEY & SONS, THIS HAMMER RIFLE WAS BUILT IN 1873 FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES (KING EDWARD VII 1901-1911) AND WAS USED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN TO INDIA AND USED DURING THE PRINCE'S VISIT IN 1876. RECORDS STATE THAT HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT PLACED AN ORDER WITH PURDEY'S FOR A NUMBER OF RIFLES TO BE PRESENTED AS GIFTS DURING THE VISIT, HOWEVER THIS WAS THE PRINCE'S OWN EXAMPLE AND IS ESTIMATED AT £7,000-9,000. COMMENTING ON THE AUCTION, GAVIN GARDINER SAID: 'I AM DELIGHTED TO BE OFFERING SUCH A HISTORIC RIFLE AT MY FORTHCOMING AUCTION. BUILT IN 1873 FOR EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, THE RIFLE WAS GIVEN TO ONE OF HIS FAITHFUL HUSSARS FOLLOWING HIS RECORD TIGER SHOOT ON HIS STATE VISIT TO INDIA IN 1876. UNLIKE MANY OTHER RIFLES PRESENTED ON THIS VISIT AS GIFTS, THIS PARTICULAR RIFLE WAS THE PRINCE'S OWN, THAT HE USED TO GOOD EFFECT, AND WAS GIVEN IN REWARD TO FAITHFUL SERVICE TO A MEMBER OF HIS OWN REGIMENT AT THE END OF THE MONTHS SPORT. IT IS RARE THAT SUCH IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC ITEMS APPEAR AT AUCTION, AND I AM VERY PLEASED TO HAVE DISCOVERED THIS PIECE.' GAVIN GARDINER IS THE ONLY SPECIALIST FIREARMS AUCTIONEER HOLDING HIS AUCTIONS IN THE HEART OF LONDON'S WEST END, WHERE HE HOLDS TWO SALES EACH YEAR AS WELL AS HIS PRESTIGIOUS SALE AT THE GLENEAGLES HOTEL, SCOTLAND IN AUGUST.

RARE KING EDWARD VII RIFLE TO BE AUCTIONED IN APRIL

FROM THREADBARE ARMCHAIRS TO MARBLE MANTEL CLOCKS, GARDEN FURNITURE TO A SILVER POCKET KNIFE, THOUSANDS OF THE LATE DUTCH QUEEN JULIANA'A POSSESSIONS ARE GOING UNDER THE HAMMER IN AN ATTIC SALE FIT FOR A KING. THE FOUR-DAY AUCTION BY SOTHEBY'S STARTED MONDAY AND WAS STIRRING INTEREST AMONG SERIOUS COLLECTORS AS WELL AS DIE-HARD ROYALTY FANS OF THE POPULAR HOUSE OF ORANGE. A TOTAL OF 1,725 LOTS GATHERED FROM SEVEN ROYAL PALACES WERE BEING AUCTIONED WITH THE PROCEEDS GOING TO FOUR CHARITIES, ONE CHOSEN BY EACH OF JULIANA'S FOUR DAUGHTERS. 'IT'S REALLY LIKE A ROYAL ATTIC SALE', AUCTIONEER MARK GROL TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. 'WITH PAINTINGS TO PRINTS, CERAMICS, SILVER, FURNITURE. JUST BASICALLY EVERYTHING YOU WOULD FIND IN A PALACE.' THE SALE IS INTENDED TO CLEAR OUT UNWANTED BELONGINGS THAT WERE LEFT OVER AFTER JULIANA'S ESTATE WAS DIVIDED AMONG HER DAUGHTERS FOLLOWING HER DEATH IN 2004 AT AGE 94. SOME 10,000 PEOPLE COME ON VIEWING DAYS LAST WEEK AT THE SOTHEBY'S OFFICE IN AMSTERDAM, SHUFFLING THROUGH A MAZE OF OAK TABLES, MAHOGANY AND SATINWOOD CHAIRS, AND GIANT CHANDELIERS. WALLS WERE LINED WITH OIL AND WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS. TO UNDERSCORE THE ROYAL PROVENANCE, PHOTOS SHOWED SOME OF THE LOTS IN USE AT THE PALACES THEY CAME FROM. ONE PHOTO SHOWED QUEEN JULIANA, HER HUSBAND PRINCE BERNHARD AND THEIR FOUR DAUGHTERS, INCLUDING PRESENT QUEEN BEATRIX, EATING BREAKFAST AT SOESTDIJK PALACE USING A SERVICE BEING AUCTIONED WITH A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF $4,185-$5,580. GROL SAID THAT ONLY AFTER THE FIRST 213 LOTS WERE UP FOR GRABS ON MONDAY WOULD THERE WOULD BE AN INDICATION OF HOW FAR OVER THE PRE-SALE MINIMUM ESTIMATE OF ABOUT $2.07 MILLION THE AUCTION WOULD GO. HE SAID INTEREST WAS HIGH NOT JUST FROM THE NETHERLANDS, BUT ALSO FROM THE US, RUSSIA AND CHINA. EARLY BIDDING WAS BRISK, WITH A COMBINATION OF ONLINE, TELEPHONE AND AUCTION ROOM BIDS PUSHING UP THE PRICE OF THE FIRST LOT, A QUINTESSENTIALLY DUTCH WATERCOLOUR OF SKATERS ON A FROZEN WATERWAY BY JAN ANTHONIE LANGENDIJK TO $7,000. THE PRE-SALE ESTIMATE WAS $1,377-$2,066. THOSE IN THE ROOM WERE GIVEN CARDS, ORANGE, OF COURSE, WITH A BIDDER'S NUMBER ON IT. THERE APPEARED TO BE SOME BARGAINS ON OFFER, WITH THE CHEAPEST LOT AN OAK WRITING DESK WITH A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF JUST $35-$70. 'SOME ITEMS WILL GO FOR A REASONABLE PRICE, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST BOTH FROM COLLECTORS AND PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BUY A SOUVENIR FROM THE ROYAL FAMILY WHO'S VERY POPULAR IN THE NETHERLANDS', GROL SAID. ROYAL FANS WERE LIKELY BEHIND LIVELY ONLINE BIDDING FOR A PINE BOX WITH 'ZKH PRINS DER NEDERLANDEN STAL SOESTDIJK', MEANING 'HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE OF THE NETHERLANDS SOESTDIJK STABLE' PAINTED ON THE LID. ONE BIDDER WHO DESCRIBED HIMSELF AS A COLLECTOR AND A ROYAL FAN SAID HE HOPED TO BUY SOME ANTIQUE PORCELAIN. 'I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD', SAID THE MAN, WHO DECLINED TO GIVE HIS NAME. 'WHERE DO I PUT IT ALL?'

SOTHEBY'S SELLS THE LATE DUTCH QUEEN JULIANA'A POSSESSIONS

FROM THREADBARE ARMCHAIRS TO MARBLE MANTEL CLOCKS, GARDEN FURNITURE TO A SILVER POCKET KNIFE, THOUSANDS OF THE LATE DUTCH QUEEN JULIANA'A POSSESSIONS ARE GOING UNDER THE HAMMER IN AN ATTIC SALE FIT FOR A KING. THE FOUR-DAY AUCTION BY SOTHEBY'S STARTED MONDAY AND WAS STIRRING INTEREST AMONG SERIOUS COLLECTORS AS WELL AS DIE-HARD ROYALTY FANS OF THE POPULAR HOUSE OF ORANGE. A TOTAL OF 1,725 LOTS GATHERED FROM SEVEN ROYAL PALACES WERE BEING AUCTIONED WITH THE PROCEEDS GOING TO FOUR CHARITIES, ONE CHOSEN BY EACH OF JULIANA'S FOUR DAUGHTERS. 'IT'S REALLY LIKE A ROYAL ATTIC SALE', AUCTIONEER MARK GROL TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. 'WITH PAINTINGS TO PRINTS, CERAMICS, SILVER, FURNITURE. JUST BASICALLY EVERYTHING YOU WOULD FIND IN A PALACE.' THE SALE IS INTENDED TO CLEAR OUT UNWANTED BELONGINGS THAT WERE LEFT OVER AFTER JULIANA'S ESTATE WAS DIVIDED AMONG HER DAUGHTERS FOLLOWING HER DEATH IN 2004 AT AGE 94. SOME 10,000 PEOPLE COME ON VIEWING DAYS LAST WEEK AT THE SOTHEBY'S OFFICE IN AMSTERDAM, SHUFFLING THROUGH A MAZE OF OAK TABLES, MAHOGANY AND SATINWOOD CHAIRS, AND GIANT CHANDELIERS. WALLS WERE LINED WITH OIL AND WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS. TO UNDERSCORE THE ROYAL PROVENANCE, PHOTOS SHOWED SOME OF THE LOTS IN USE AT THE PALACES THEY CAME FROM. ONE PHOTO SHOWED QUEEN JULIANA, HER HUSBAND PRINCE BERNHARD AND THEIR FOUR DAUGHTERS, INCLUDING PRESENT QUEEN BEATRIX, EATING BREAKFAST AT SOESTDIJK PALACE USING A SERVICE BEING AUCTIONED WITH A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF $4,185-$5,580. GROL SAID THAT ONLY AFTER THE FIRST 213 LOTS WERE UP FOR GRABS ON MONDAY WOULD THERE WOULD BE AN INDICATION OF HOW FAR OVER THE PRE-SALE MINIMUM ESTIMATE OF ABOUT $2.07 MILLION THE AUCTION WOULD GO. HE SAID INTEREST WAS HIGH NOT JUST FROM THE NETHERLANDS, BUT ALSO FROM THE US, RUSSIA AND CHINA. EARLY BIDDING WAS BRISK, WITH A COMBINATION OF ONLINE, TELEPHONE AND AUCTION ROOM BIDS PUSHING UP THE PRICE OF THE FIRST LOT, A QUINTESSENTIALLY DUTCH WATERCOLOUR OF SKATERS ON A FROZEN WATERWAY BY JAN ANTHONIE LANGENDIJK TO $7,000. THE PRE-SALE ESTIMATE WAS $1,377-$2,066. THOSE IN THE ROOM WERE GIVEN CARDS, ORANGE, OF COURSE, WITH A BIDDER'S NUMBER ON IT. THERE APPEARED TO BE SOME BARGAINS ON OFFER, WITH THE CHEAPEST LOT AN OAK WRITING DESK WITH A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF JUST $35-$70. 'SOME ITEMS WILL GO FOR A REASONABLE PRICE, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST BOTH FROM COLLECTORS AND PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BUY A SOUVENIR FROM THE ROYAL FAMILY WHO'S VERY POPULAR IN THE NETHERLANDS', GROL SAID. ROYAL FANS WERE LIKELY BEHIND LIVELY ONLINE BIDDING FOR A PINE BOX WITH 'ZKH PRINS DER NEDERLANDEN STAL SOESTDIJK', MEANING 'HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE OF THE NETHERLANDS SOESTDIJK STABLE' PAINTED ON THE LID. ONE BIDDER WHO DESCRIBED HIMSELF AS A COLLECTOR AND A ROYAL FAN SAID HE HOPED TO BUY SOME ANTIQUE PORCELAIN. 'I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD', SAID THE MAN, WHO DECLINED TO GIVE HIS NAME. 'WHERE DO I PUT IT ALL?'

SOTHEBY'S SELLS THE LATE DUTCH QUEEN JULIANA'A POSSESSIONS

A GOLD, ENAMEL AND GARNET BODICE BROOCH FROM 1830 THAT BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA WILL BE OFFERED IN THE JEWELERY SALE, TAKING PLACE ON 6.APRIL AT BONHAMS KNIGHTSBRIDGE. THE FINELY DETAILED BROOCH IS EMBELLISHED WITH GREEN AND RED ENAMEL, SET WITH CABOCHON GARNETS THAT SUSPEND AN ELONGATED DROP OF A SIMILAR DESIGN. IT IS ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR £600 – 800. THE BROOCH ORIGINALLY BELONGED TO VICTORIA, DUCHESS OF KENT, WHO ON HER DEATH BED IN 1861 (THE SAME YEAR AS THE DEATH OF PRINCE ALBERT) LEFT HER JEWELRY TO HER DAUGHTER, QUEEN VICTORIA. QUEEN VICTORIA SUBSEQUENTLY GAVE THE BROOCH TO HER THIRD DAUGHTER HELENA, PRINCESS CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, AS A PRESENT ON HER 24th BIRTHDAY IN 1870. THE REVERSE OF THE BROOCH HAS A SIMPLE, YET VERY PERSONAL ENGRAVING: 'BELONGED TO DEAR GRANDMAMMA V. FROM MAMA V.R. TO HELENA 25th MAY 1870'. ALTHOUGH PRINCESS HELENA MARRIED THE GERMAN PRINCE CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN IN 1866, THEY REMAINED IN BRITAIN CLOSE TO THE QUEEN, WHO LIKED TO HAVE HER DAUGHTERS NEARBY. HELENA WAS CONSIDERED THE MOST ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, CARRYING OUT AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAM OF ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS. SHE WAS ALSO AN ACTIVE PATRON OF CHARITIES, AND WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE RED CROSS. SHE WAS ALSO FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWORK, AND PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL BRITISH NURSES' ASSOCIATION.

BONHAMS TO SELL BROOCH THAT ONCE BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA

A GOLD, ENAMEL AND GARNET BODICE BROOCH FROM 1830 THAT BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA WILL BE OFFERED IN THE JEWELERY SALE, TAKING PLACE ON 6.APRIL AT BONHAMS KNIGHTSBRIDGE. THE FINELY DETAILED BROOCH IS EMBELLISHED WITH GREEN AND RED ENAMEL, SET WITH CABOCHON GARNETS THAT SUSPEND AN ELONGATED DROP OF A SIMILAR DESIGN. IT IS ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR £600 – 800. THE BROOCH ORIGINALLY BELONGED TO VICTORIA, DUCHESS OF KENT, WHO ON HER DEATH BED IN 1861 (THE SAME YEAR AS THE DEATH OF PRINCE ALBERT) LEFT HER JEWELRY TO HER DAUGHTER, QUEEN VICTORIA. QUEEN VICTORIA SUBSEQUENTLY GAVE THE BROOCH TO HER THIRD DAUGHTER HELENA, PRINCESS CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, AS A PRESENT ON HER 24th BIRTHDAY IN 1870. THE REVERSE OF THE BROOCH HAS A SIMPLE, YET VERY PERSONAL ENGRAVING: 'BELONGED TO DEAR GRANDMAMMA V. FROM MAMA V.R. TO HELENA 25th MAY 1870'. ALTHOUGH PRINCESS HELENA MARRIED THE GERMAN PRINCE CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN IN 1866, THEY REMAINED IN BRITAIN CLOSE TO THE QUEEN, WHO LIKED TO HAVE HER DAUGHTERS NEARBY. HELENA WAS CONSIDERED THE MOST ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, CARRYING OUT AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAM OF ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS. SHE WAS ALSO AN ACTIVE PATRON OF CHARITIES, AND WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE RED CROSS. SHE WAS ALSO FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWORK, AND PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL BRITISH NURSES' ASSOCIATION.

BONHAMS TO SELL BROOCH THAT ONCE BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA

HRH PRINCE WILLIAM OF WALES AND MISS CATHERINE MIDDLETON HAVE APPROVED THE ROYAL COLLECTION'S RANGE OF CHINA COMMISSIONED TO COMMEMORATE THEIR ROYAL FORTHCOMING MARRIAGE ON 29.APRIL.2011. THE OFFICIAL ROYAL WEDDING RANGE INCLUDES A TANKARD (£35), EIGHT-INCH PLATE (£40) AND PILL BOX (£25) IN ENGLISH FINE BONE CHINA. EACH PIECE BEARS THE COUPLE'S ENTWINED INITIALS IN GOLD AND SILVER SURMOUNTED BY THE CORONET OF PRINCE WILLIAM AND THE WEDDING DATE. THE RANGE IS DECORATED WITH A PATTERN OF DOVES, WHITE RIBBONS AND HEARTS IN SILVER, GOLD AND GREY, SET AGAINST A PALE-GRAY STRIPED BACKGROUND. INSIDE THE TANKARD ARE ROWS OF TINY HEARTS AND TWO SILVER DOVES HOLDING A GOLD WEDDING RING. THE ROYAL WEDDING CHINA IS HANDMADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ROYAL COLLECTION IN STOKE-ON-TRENT USING METHODS THAT HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR OVER 250 YEARS. EACH ITEM IS INDIVIDUALLY DECORATED AND THEN EMBELLISHED WITH SEVERAL LAYERS OF BURNISHED GOLD AND PLATINUM BEFORE A FINAL LAYER OF GILDING IN 22 CARAT GOLD IS APPLIED BY HAND. ALL PIECES COME IN A PRESENTATION BOX AND ARE WRAPPED IN WHITE TISSUE-PAPER PRINTED WITH DESIGNS INSPIRED BY THE WALL HANGINGS IN CLARENCE HOUSE. THE OFFICIAL ROYAL WEDDING COMMEMORATIVE RANGE CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE, AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE ROYAL COLLECTION SHOPS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE, WINDSOR CASTLE AND THE PALACE OF HOLLYROODHOUSE, AND WILL ALSO BE SOLD AT BALMORAL, HIGHGROVE AND SANDRINGHAM. ALL PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF THE ROYAL WEDDING RANGE ARE DEDICATED TO THE ROYAL COLLECTION TRUST, A REGISTERED CHARITY. THE AIMS OF THE TRUST ARE THE CARE AND CONSERVATION OF THE ROYAL COLLECTION AND THE PROMOTION OF PUBLIC ACCESS AND ENJOYMENT THROUGH EXHIBITION, PUBLICATION, LOANS AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

OFFICIAL ROYAL WEDDING RANGE FOR PRINCE WILLIAM AND CATHERINE MIDDLETON

HRH PRINCE WILLIAM OF WALES AND MISS CATHERINE MIDDLETON HAVE APPROVED THE ROYAL COLLECTION'S RANGE OF CHINA COMMISSIONED TO COMMEMORATE THEIR ROYAL FORTHCOMING MARRIAGE ON 29.APRIL.2011. THE OFFICIAL ROYAL WEDDING RANGE INCLUDES A TANKARD (£35), EIGHT-INCH PLATE (£40) AND PILL BOX (£25) IN ENGLISH FINE BONE CHINA. EACH PIECE BEARS THE COUPLE'S ENTWINED INITIALS IN GOLD AND SILVER SURMOUNTED BY THE CORONET OF PRINCE WILLIAM AND THE WEDDING DATE. THE RANGE IS DECORATED WITH A PATTERN OF DOVES, WHITE RIBBONS AND HEARTS IN SILVER, GOLD AND GREY, SET AGAINST A PALE-GRAY STRIPED BACKGROUND. INSIDE THE TANKARD ARE ROWS OF TINY HEARTS AND TWO SILVER DOVES HOLDING A GOLD WEDDING RING. THE ROYAL WEDDING CHINA IS HANDMADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ROYAL COLLECTION IN STOKE-ON-TRENT USING METHODS THAT HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR OVER 250 YEARS. EACH ITEM IS INDIVIDUALLY DECORATED AND THEN EMBELLISHED WITH SEVERAL LAYERS OF BURNISHED GOLD AND PLATINUM BEFORE A FINAL LAYER OF GILDING IN 22 CARAT GOLD IS APPLIED BY HAND. ALL PIECES COME IN A PRESENTATION BOX AND ARE WRAPPED IN WHITE TISSUE-PAPER PRINTED WITH DESIGNS INSPIRED BY THE WALL HANGINGS IN CLARENCE HOUSE. THE OFFICIAL ROYAL WEDDING COMMEMORATIVE RANGE CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE, AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE ROYAL COLLECTION SHOPS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE, WINDSOR CASTLE AND THE PALACE OF HOLLYROODHOUSE, AND WILL ALSO BE SOLD AT BALMORAL, HIGHGROVE AND SANDRINGHAM. ALL PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF THE ROYAL WEDDING RANGE ARE DEDICATED TO THE ROYAL COLLECTION TRUST, A REGISTERED CHARITY. THE AIMS OF THE TRUST ARE THE CARE AND CONSERVATION OF THE ROYAL COLLECTION AND THE PROMOTION OF PUBLIC ACCESS AND ENJOYMENT THROUGH EXHIBITION, PUBLICATION, LOANS AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

OFFICIAL ROYAL WEDDING RANGE FOR PRINCE WILLIAM AND CATHERINE MIDDLETON

A 1955 ASTON MARTIN DB2/4 SPORTS SALOON, WHICH WAS OWNED BY KING BAUDOUIN OF BELGIUM, WHO REIGNED FROM 1951 UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1993, IS TO BE SOLD AT BONHAMS' PARIS SALE OF MOTOR CARS AT THE GRAND PALAIS ON 5.FEBRUARY.2011. THE CAR WHICH IS WAS SUPPLIED TO THE KING IN FEBRUARY 1955, HAS ATTRACTED A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF $250,000. KING BAUDOUIN WAS RENOWNED FOR HIS LOVE OF FAST CARS, AS WELL AS HAVING THE ASTON MARTIN, DESCRIBED IN AUTOCAR (1953) AS 'AN EXPENSIVE CAR DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE CONNOISSEUR OF SPORTS CARS WHO IS NOT LIMITED BY FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS', HE ALSO OWNED A PORSCHE SPYDER AND WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT MASERATIS. ACCOMPANIED BY PHOTOGRAPHS OF KING BAUDOUIN WITH HIS BROTHER, THE PRESENT KING ALBERT II, THE CAR IS IN CONCOURS CONDITION FOLLOWING ITS COMPLETE RESTORATION TO ORIGINAL SPECIFICATIONS BETWEEN 2001 AND 2008. A 1956 BENTLEY S1 CONTINENTAL SPORTS SALOON OWNED BY ANOTHER WELL-KNOWN BELGIAN FIGURE, THE FINANCIER, BARON EMPAIN, IS ALSO TO BE OFFERED IN THE SALE. ESTIMATED AT $300,000, THE CAR WAS DELIVERED NEW TO THE BARON IN 1956 AND KEPT UNTIL 1960 WHEN HE SOLD IT TO A FAMILY MEMBER, COUNT D'ARSCHOT.

BONHAMS TO SELL 1955 ASTON MARTIN ONCE OWNED BY KING BAUDOUIN OF BELGIUM

A 1955 ASTON MARTIN DB2/4 SPORTS SALOON, WHICH WAS OWNED BY KING BAUDOUIN OF BELGIUM, WHO REIGNED FROM 1951 UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1993, IS TO BE SOLD AT BONHAMS' PARIS SALE OF MOTOR CARS AT THE GRAND PALAIS ON 5.FEBRUARY.2011. THE CAR WHICH IS WAS SUPPLIED TO THE KING IN FEBRUARY 1955, HAS ATTRACTED A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF $250,000. KING BAUDOUIN WAS RENOWNED FOR HIS LOVE OF FAST CARS, AS WELL AS HAVING THE ASTON MARTIN, DESCRIBED IN AUTOCAR (1953) AS 'AN EXPENSIVE CAR DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE CONNOISSEUR OF SPORTS CARS WHO IS NOT LIMITED BY FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS', HE ALSO OWNED A PORSCHE SPYDER AND WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT MASERATIS. ACCOMPANIED BY PHOTOGRAPHS OF KING BAUDOUIN WITH HIS BROTHER, THE PRESENT KING ALBERT II, THE CAR IS IN CONCOURS CONDITION FOLLOWING ITS COMPLETE RESTORATION TO ORIGINAL SPECIFICATIONS BETWEEN 2001 AND 2008. A 1956 BENTLEY S1 CONTINENTAL SPORTS SALOON OWNED BY ANOTHER WELL-KNOWN BELGIAN FIGURE, THE FINANCIER, BARON EMPAIN, IS ALSO TO BE OFFERED IN THE SALE. ESTIMATED AT $300,000, THE CAR WAS DELIVERED NEW TO THE BARON IN 1956 AND KEPT UNTIL 1960 WHEN HE SOLD IT TO A FAMILY MEMBER, COUNT D'ARSCHOT.

BONHAMS TO SELL 1955 ASTON MARTIN ONCE OWNED BY KING BAUDOUIN OF BELGIUM

GENEVA BASED AUCTIONEERS HOTEL DES VENTES SOLD A HIGHLY IMPORTANT AND UNIQUE COLLECTION OF EXTENSIVE CORRESPONDENCE, PHOTOGRAPHS AND DRAWINGS EXCHANGED BETWEEN HIH GRAND DUKE GEORGE ALEXANDROVICH, HIH GRAND DUCHESS XENIA ALEXANDROVNA, HIH GRAND DUKE MIKHAIL ALEXANDROVICH AND HIH GRAND DUCHESS OLGA ALEXANDROVNA AND THEIR PRIVATE TUTOR FERDINAND THORMEYER OF SWITZERLAND. THE AUCTION ROOM WAS OVERCROWDED LEAVING STANDING ROOM ONLY. THE TWO MOST PROMINENT BUYERS WERE SWISS PRIVATE COLLECTORS. RUSSIAN BUYERS WERE ACTIVE BOTH IN THE ROOM AND BY TELEPHONE AS WELL AS A SELECT FEW AMERICAN CLIENTS. THE TOTAL SALE PRICE REACHING 390,000 SWISS FRANCS, THE COLLECTION FETCHED ALMOST FOUR TIMES ITS HIGH ESTIMATE. BERNARD PIGUET, DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL AUCTIONEERS OF HOTEL DES VENTES STATES: 'WE ARE DELIGHTED WITH THE SUCCESS OF THIS SALE, WHICH HAS SURPASSED OUR EXPECTATIONS. WE CAN REVEAL THAT ALL THE LOTS HAVE BEEN SOLD WITHOUT EXCEPTION AND FOR AN AMOUNT ALMOST FOUR TIMES THE HIGH ESTIMATE, CLEARLY SHOWING TEH LEVEL OF INTEREST AMONG COLLECTORS FOR THIS HISTORICAL AND UNPUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE'. THE LOT THAT ACHIEVED THE HIGHEST PRICE IN THE COLLECTION WAS LOT #185, THE 35 LETTERS WRITTEN BY GRAND DUKE MIKHAIL BETWEEN 1902 AND 1911 ESTIMATED AT 5,000-8,000 SOLD FOR 34,000 SWISS FRANCS. CLOSE BEHIND WAS LOT #184, CONSISTING OF 80 LETTERS WRITTEN BY THE GRAND DUKE BETWEEN 1900 AND 1904 ESTIMATED AT 10,000-15,000, SOLD FOR 32,800 SWISS FRANCS. MATCHING THIS WAS THE PRECIOUS ROSE GOLD AND SILVER CIGARETTE CASE LOT #164, PRESENTED BY NICHOLAS II AND HIS BROTHER GRAND DUKE GEORGE TO THEIR TUTOR, ESTIMATED AT 5,000-8,000 AND ALSO SOLD FOR 32,800. THE HIGHEST PRICE FOR A SINGLE PHOTOGRAPH WAS LOT #153, THE FAMILY PORTRAIT OF ALEXANDER III BY LEVITSKY, ESTIMATED AT 400-600 AND FETCHING 6,600 SWISS FRANCS.

COLLECTION OF RARE AND HISTORIC CORRESPONDENCE SOLD AT AUCTION IN GENEVA

GENEVA BASED AUCTIONEERS HOTEL DES VENTES SOLD A HIGHLY IMPORTANT AND UNIQUE COLLECTION OF EXTENSIVE CORRESPONDENCE, PHOTOGRAPHS AND DRAWINGS EXCHANGED BETWEEN HIH GRAND DUKE GEORGE ALEXANDROVICH, HIH GRAND DUCHESS XENIA ALEXANDROVNA, HIH GRAND DUKE MIKHAIL ALEXANDROVICH AND HIH GRAND DUCHESS OLGA ALEXANDROVNA AND THEIR PRIVATE TUTOR FERDINAND THORMEYER OF SWITZERLAND. THE AUCTION ROOM WAS OVERCROWDED LEAVING STANDING ROOM ONLY. THE TWO MOST PROMINENT BUYERS WERE SWISS PRIVATE COLLECTORS. RUSSIAN BUYERS WERE ACTIVE BOTH IN THE ROOM AND BY TELEPHONE AS WELL AS A SELECT FEW AMERICAN CLIENTS. THE TOTAL SALE PRICE REACHING 390,000 SWISS FRANCS, THE COLLECTION FETCHED ALMOST FOUR TIMES ITS HIGH ESTIMATE. BERNARD PIGUET, DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL AUCTIONEERS OF HOTEL DES VENTES STATES: 'WE ARE DELIGHTED WITH THE SUCCESS OF THIS SALE, WHICH HAS SURPASSED OUR EXPECTATIONS. WE CAN REVEAL THAT ALL THE LOTS HAVE BEEN SOLD WITHOUT EXCEPTION AND FOR AN AMOUNT ALMOST FOUR TIMES THE HIGH ESTIMATE, CLEARLY SHOWING TEH LEVEL OF INTEREST AMONG COLLECTORS FOR THIS HISTORICAL AND UNPUBLISHED CORRESPONDENCE'. THE LOT THAT ACHIEVED THE HIGHEST PRICE IN THE COLLECTION WAS LOT #185, THE 35 LETTERS WRITTEN BY GRAND DUKE MIKHAIL BETWEEN 1902 AND 1911 ESTIMATED AT 5,000-8,000 SOLD FOR 34,000 SWISS FRANCS. CLOSE BEHIND WAS LOT #184, CONSISTING OF 80 LETTERS WRITTEN BY THE GRAND DUKE BETWEEN 1900 AND 1904 ESTIMATED AT 10,000-15,000, SOLD FOR 32,800 SWISS FRANCS. MATCHING THIS WAS THE PRECIOUS ROSE GOLD AND SILVER CIGARETTE CASE LOT #164, PRESENTED BY NICHOLAS II AND HIS BROTHER GRAND DUKE GEORGE TO THEIR TUTOR, ESTIMATED AT 5,000-8,000 AND ALSO SOLD FOR 32,800. THE HIGHEST PRICE FOR A SINGLE PHOTOGRAPH WAS LOT #153, THE FAMILY PORTRAIT OF ALEXANDER III BY LEVITSKY, ESTIMATED AT 400-600 AND FETCHING 6,600 SWISS FRANCS.

COLLECTION OF RARE AND HISTORIC CORRESPONDENCE SOLD AT AUCTION IN GENEVA

IN THE SPRING SOTHEBY'S AMSTERDAM WILL OFFER 1500 LOTS FROM THE ESTATE OF QUEEN JULIANA ON THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE EXECUTORS ON BEHALF OF HER FOUR HEIRS, HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES PRINCESS IRENE, PRINCESS MARGRIET AND PRINCESS CHRISTINA. THE TOTAL SUM REALIZED BY THE 1500 LOTS TO BE SOLD WILL GO TO CHARITY AND THE SALE WILL BE AT SOTHEBY'S AMSTERDAM ON 14-17.MARCH.2011. THE REALIZED AMOUNT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO PORTIONS; THE FIRST PART WILL BE DONATED TO THE RED CROSS, CHOSEN BY THE FOUR HEIRS BECAUSE OF THE LONG TERM INVOLVEMENT OF QUEEN JULIANA IN ITS WORK. THE REMAINING PORTION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR EQUAL PARTS; THE PRINCESS BEATRIX FUND WHICH IS THE CHOICE OF QUEEN BEATRIX, PRINCESS IRENE CHOSE THE NETUURCOLLEGE, PRINCESS MARGRIET CHOSE THE RED CROSS AND THE PRINCESS CHRISTINA CONCOURS WAS CHOSEN BY PRINCESS CHRISTINA. WHILE MOST OF THE ITEMS ON SALE, WHICH INCLUDES FURNITURE, PORCELAIN, GLASS, SILVER, PAINTINGS AND SOME DRAWINGS, COME FROM THE PALACE SOESTDIJK WHERE QUEEN JULIANA LIVED FOR ALL HER MARRIED LIFE, SOME OF THE FURNITURE WAS IN THE STORES OR ATTICS AT OTHER ROYAL PALACES, AND MANY OF THE DRAWINGS AND PRINTS WERE HELD IN THE ROYAL ARCHIVE. FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF QUEEN JULIANA AN EXHAUSTIVE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION FOLLOWED. OFFICIAL GIFTS FROM THE ESTATE WERE TRANSFERRED TO VARIOUS FOUNDATIONS OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF ORANGE-NASSUA AND NATIONAL MUSEUMS. AFTER THE EXHAUSTIVE PROCESS, WHICH HAS TAKEN OVER SIX YEARS, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE VOLUME OF FURNITURE, PAINTINGS, PORCELAIN AND SILVER WHICH WAS BEYOND ANY REQUIREMENTS. THE HEIRS DECIDED THAT THE RESIDUAL PROPERTY SHOULD BE SOLD FOR CHARITY AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SALE AT SOTHEBY'S AMSTERDAM. THE AUCTION WILL BE A REMARKABLE AND CERTAINLY UNIQUE EVENT. THE PROPERTY TO BE SOLD WAS ONLY IN PART ACQUIRED BY QUEEN JULIANA AND PRINCE BERNHARD, WHILE THE LARGER PART HAD BEEN ACCUMULATED OVER THE LAST ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS, HAVING BEEN PASSED BY INHERITANCE TO QUEEN JULIANA FROM KING WILLEM I, II AND III, QUEEN EMMA AND QUEEN WILHELMINA. THE INVENTORY MARKS AND LABELS ON MANY OF THE PIECES SHOW THAT OVER THE GENERATIONS THEY WERE USED IN FOURTEEN DIFFERENT PALACES AND ROYAL RESIDENCES THROUGHOUT THE NETHERLANDS. SOTHEBY'S WILL DONATE THE PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF THE CATALOG TO THE SAME FOUR CHARITIES THAT HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY THE HEIRS. THE CATALOG, WHICH WILL BE A PERMANENT RECORD OF THE MEMORABLE ROYAL EVENT, IS NOW BEING PREPARED AND WILL BE AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY. IT WILL BE VERY DETAILED WITH ALL THE 1500 LOTS ILLUSTRATED IN COLOUR. ALSO, WHEREVER IT IS POSSIBLE, LINKS WILL BE MADE BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL LOTS, THE MONARCHS WHO OWNED THEM AND THE MANY ROYAL PALACES AND RESIDENCES WHERE THEY WERE USED OVER THE GENERATIONS.

SOTHEBY'S TO SELL 1500 LOTS FROM THE ESTATE OF QUEEN JULIANA

IN THE SPRING SOTHEBY'S AMSTERDAM WILL OFFER 1500 LOTS FROM THE ESTATE OF QUEEN JULIANA ON THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE EXECUTORS ON BEHALF OF HER FOUR HEIRS, HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES PRINCESS IRENE, PRINCESS MARGRIET AND PRINCESS CHRISTINA. THE TOTAL SUM REALIZED BY THE 1500 LOTS TO BE SOLD WILL GO TO CHARITY AND THE SALE WILL BE AT SOTHEBY'S AMSTERDAM ON 14-17.MARCH.2011. THE REALIZED AMOUNT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO PORTIONS; THE FIRST PART WILL BE DONATED TO THE RED CROSS, CHOSEN BY THE FOUR HEIRS BECAUSE OF THE LONG TERM INVOLVEMENT OF QUEEN JULIANA IN ITS WORK. THE REMAINING PORTION WILL BE DIVIDED INTO FOUR EQUAL PARTS; THE PRINCESS BEATRIX FUND WHICH IS THE CHOICE OF QUEEN BEATRIX, PRINCESS IRENE CHOSE THE NETUURCOLLEGE, PRINCESS MARGRIET CHOSE THE RED CROSS AND THE PRINCESS CHRISTINA CONCOURS WAS CHOSEN BY PRINCESS CHRISTINA. WHILE MOST OF THE ITEMS ON SALE, WHICH INCLUDES FURNITURE, PORCELAIN, GLASS, SILVER, PAINTINGS AND SOME DRAWINGS, COME FROM THE PALACE SOESTDIJK WHERE QUEEN JULIANA LIVED FOR ALL HER MARRIED LIFE, SOME OF THE FURNITURE WAS IN THE STORES OR ATTICS AT OTHER ROYAL PALACES, AND MANY OF THE DRAWINGS AND PRINTS WERE HELD IN THE ROYAL ARCHIVE. FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF QUEEN JULIANA AN EXHAUSTIVE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION FOLLOWED. OFFICIAL GIFTS FROM THE ESTATE WERE TRANSFERRED TO VARIOUS FOUNDATIONS OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF ORANGE-NASSUA AND NATIONAL MUSEUMS. AFTER THE EXHAUSTIVE PROCESS, WHICH HAS TAKEN OVER SIX YEARS, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE VOLUME OF FURNITURE, PAINTINGS, PORCELAIN AND SILVER WHICH WAS BEYOND ANY REQUIREMENTS. THE HEIRS DECIDED THAT THE RESIDUAL PROPERTY SHOULD BE SOLD FOR CHARITY AND WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SALE AT SOTHEBY'S AMSTERDAM. THE AUCTION WILL BE A REMARKABLE AND CERTAINLY UNIQUE EVENT. THE PROPERTY TO BE SOLD WAS ONLY IN PART ACQUIRED BY QUEEN JULIANA AND PRINCE BERNHARD, WHILE THE LARGER PART HAD BEEN ACCUMULATED OVER THE LAST ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS, HAVING BEEN PASSED BY INHERITANCE TO QUEEN JULIANA FROM KING WILLEM I, II AND III, QUEEN EMMA AND QUEEN WILHELMINA. THE INVENTORY MARKS AND LABELS ON MANY OF THE PIECES SHOW THAT OVER THE GENERATIONS THEY WERE USED IN FOURTEEN DIFFERENT PALACES AND ROYAL RESIDENCES THROUGHOUT THE NETHERLANDS. SOTHEBY'S WILL DONATE THE PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF THE CATALOG TO THE SAME FOUR CHARITIES THAT HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY THE HEIRS. THE CATALOG, WHICH WILL BE A PERMANENT RECORD OF THE MEMORABLE ROYAL EVENT, IS NOW BEING PREPARED AND WILL BE AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY. IT WILL BE VERY DETAILED WITH ALL THE 1500 LOTS ILLUSTRATED IN COLOUR. ALSO, WHEREVER IT IS POSSIBLE, LINKS WILL BE MADE BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL LOTS, THE MONARCHS WHO OWNED THEM AND THE MANY ROYAL PALACES AND RESIDENCES WHERE THEY WERE USED OVER THE GENERATIONS.

SOTHEBY'S TO SELL 1500 LOTS FROM THE ESTATE OF QUEEN JULIANA

TONIGHT AT SOTHEBY'S, A GROUP OF 20 EXCEPTIONAL JEWELS AND PRECIOUS OBJECTS FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION OF THE DUCHESS OF WINDSOR WERE PRESENTED FOR SALE, SOME 23 YEARS AFTER THEY WERE LAST AUCTIONED IN THE LEGENDARY AUCTION OF 'JEWELS OF THE DUCHESS OF WINDSOR', STILL THE MOST VALUABLE SINGLE-OWNER JEWELRY COLLECTION EVER SOLD. THE 20 PIECES, WHICH WERE ANNOUNCED FOR SALE BACK IN JULY OF THIS YEAR AND HAVE SINCE TRAVELED TO ASIA, THE MIDDLE EAST, RUSSIA AND THE US AND WHICH ALSO INCLUDE SOME SIGNATURE PIECES FROM THE 1987 SALE, BROUGHT A TOTAL OF £7,975,550, A FIGURE WELL IN EXCESS OF PRE-SALE EXPECTATIONS OF £2,906,000-4,211,000. IN 1987 THE 20 PIECES HAD BEEN ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR £197,531-268,189. SPEAKING AFTER THE SALE, DAVID BENNETT, CHAIRMAN OF SOTHEBY'S JEWELRY IN EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST, SAID: 'IT HAS BEEN AN IMMENSE PLEASURE TO BRING ONCE AGAIN TO SALE THESE JEWELS WORN BY A WOMAN WHO WAS A LEADER OF FASHION AND THE EPITOME OF ELEGANCE AND SOPHISTICATION FOR HER GENERATION AND BEYOND. THE COLLECTION COMPRISED NOT ONLY MASTERPIECES OF 20th CENTURY JEWELRY BY CARTIER, BUT ALSO PIECES WHOSE INTIMATE INSCRIPTIONS TELL THE STORY OF PERHAPS THE GREATEST LOVE STORY OF THE 20th CENTURY, THE ROMANCE THAT LED EDWARD VIII TO ABDICATE THE THRONE OF GREAT BRITAIN. WHEREVER WE HAVE EXHIBITED THE JEWELS IN RECENT MONTHS, WHETHER IT BE MOSCOW, NEW YORK, HONG KONG OR THE MIDDLE EAST, THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARY; AND THE WINDSOR COLLECTION HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO A NEW AUDIENCE OF BUYERS. BY FAR AND AWAY THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SALE WAS LOT #19, THE ONYX AND DIAMOND PANTHER BRACELET BY CARTIER, PARIS IN 1952, WHICH SOLD FOR £4,521,250, MORE THAN DOUBLE THE PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF £1-1.5 MILLION. THE PRICE ESTABLISHES A NEW RECORD FOR CARTIER AT AUCTION AND ALSO FOR ANY BRACELET AT AUCTION. THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF THE EVENING WAS FOR LOT #20, THE RUBY, SAPPHIRE, EMERALD, CITRINE AND DIAMOND FLAMINGO CLIP, MOUNTED BY CARTIER, PARIS, 1940, CREATED BY JEANNE TOUSSAINT FOR CARTIER. ESTIMATED AT £1-1.5 MILLION, THE SPECTACULAR BROOCH WAS PURCHASED BY COLLECTION CARTIER FOR £1,721,250. AND, LOT #17, THE DIAMOND BRACELET BY CARTIER WHICH SUPPORTS NINE GEM-SET LATIN CROSSES, EACH REPRESENTING SPECIAL MOMENTS OF THE DUCHESS'S LIFE DURING THE YEARS 1934-44, A JEWEL OF GREAT PERSONAL SIGNIFICANCE AND ONE OF HER FAVORITE PIECES, BROUGHT £601,250 AGAINST AN ESTIMATE OF £350,000-450,000.

SOTHEBY'S SELLS DUCHESS OF WINDSOR JEWEL COLLECTION

TONIGHT AT SOTHEBY'S, A GROUP OF 20 EXCEPTIONAL JEWELS AND PRECIOUS OBJECTS FORMERLY IN THE COLLECTION OF THE DUCHESS OF WINDSOR WERE PRESENTED FOR SALE, SOME 23 YEARS AFTER THEY WERE LAST AUCTIONED IN THE LEGENDARY AUCTION OF 'JEWELS OF THE DUCHESS OF WINDSOR', STILL THE MOST VALUABLE SINGLE-OWNER JEWELRY COLLECTION EVER SOLD. THE 20 PIECES, WHICH WERE ANNOUNCED FOR SALE BACK IN JULY OF THIS YEAR AND HAVE SINCE TRAVELED TO ASIA, THE MIDDLE EAST, RUSSIA AND THE US AND WHICH ALSO INCLUDE SOME SIGNATURE PIECES FROM THE 1987 SALE, BROUGHT A TOTAL OF £7,975,550, A FIGURE WELL IN EXCESS OF PRE-SALE EXPECTATIONS OF £2,906,000-4,211,000. IN 1987 THE 20 PIECES HAD BEEN ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR £197,531-268,189. SPEAKING AFTER THE SALE, DAVID BENNETT, CHAIRMAN OF SOTHEBY'S JEWELRY IN EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST, SAID: 'IT HAS BEEN AN IMMENSE PLEASURE TO BRING ONCE AGAIN TO SALE THESE JEWELS WORN BY A WOMAN WHO WAS A LEADER OF FASHION AND THE EPITOME OF ELEGANCE AND SOPHISTICATION FOR HER GENERATION AND BEYOND. THE COLLECTION COMPRISED NOT ONLY MASTERPIECES OF 20th CENTURY JEWELRY BY CARTIER, BUT ALSO PIECES WHOSE INTIMATE INSCRIPTIONS TELL THE STORY OF PERHAPS THE GREATEST LOVE STORY OF THE 20th CENTURY, THE ROMANCE THAT LED EDWARD VIII TO ABDICATE THE THRONE OF GREAT BRITAIN. WHEREVER WE HAVE EXHIBITED THE JEWELS IN RECENT MONTHS, WHETHER IT BE MOSCOW, NEW YORK, HONG KONG OR THE MIDDLE EAST, THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARY; AND THE WINDSOR COLLECTION HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO A NEW AUDIENCE OF BUYERS. BY FAR AND AWAY THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SALE WAS LOT #19, THE ONYX AND DIAMOND PANTHER BRACELET BY CARTIER, PARIS IN 1952, WHICH SOLD FOR £4,521,250, MORE THAN DOUBLE THE PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF £1-1.5 MILLION. THE PRICE ESTABLISHES A NEW RECORD FOR CARTIER AT AUCTION AND ALSO FOR ANY BRACELET AT AUCTION. THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF THE EVENING WAS FOR LOT #20, THE RUBY, SAPPHIRE, EMERALD, CITRINE AND DIAMOND FLAMINGO CLIP, MOUNTED BY CARTIER, PARIS, 1940, CREATED BY JEANNE TOUSSAINT FOR CARTIER. ESTIMATED AT £1-1.5 MILLION, THE SPECTACULAR BROOCH WAS PURCHASED BY COLLECTION CARTIER FOR £1,721,250. AND, LOT #17, THE DIAMOND BRACELET BY CARTIER WHICH SUPPORTS NINE GEM-SET LATIN CROSSES, EACH REPRESENTING SPECIAL MOMENTS OF THE DUCHESS'S LIFE DURING THE YEARS 1934-44, A JEWEL OF GREAT PERSONAL SIGNIFICANCE AND ONE OF HER FAVORITE PIECES, BROUGHT £601,250 AGAINST AN ESTIMATE OF £350,000-450,000.

SOTHEBY'S SELLS DUCHESS OF WINDSOR JEWEL COLLECTION