ANTIQUES UNDER THE HAMMER Lots in September
TOP of the LOTS
This month’s preview includes books signed by Florence Nightingale and a hat owned by Sir Alf Ramsey which was given to his decorator
An art deco pearl and diamond bracelet worn by Princess Margaret for her 19th birthday photograph taken by Cecil Beaton in 1949, has an estimate of £30,000-£40,000 at Dix Noonan Webb’s sale on September 14. In his diary Beaton recalled the princess: “Had been up till 5.30 the night before (she likes the peace and anonymity of the 400 nightclub) and towards the end of the two-hour sitting, started to wilt and became very tired.” She was also late for the start of the shoot having returned from a cricket match at Lords. He wrote: “But she is such a quick dresser that a few moments after her return she appeared changed into the new evening dress Hartnell had supplied her that morning.” Above Princess Margaret wore the bracelet for her 19th birthday shoot Above right Princess Margaret, © Bettmann Collection via Getty Images
A Regency woolwork picture of a recumbent lion has an estimate of £500-£800 at Woolly and Wallis’s sale on September 22. The picture is from the Sir Michael Codron collection of lionalia, including animals made from ceramic, woolwork, brass and treen. Codron (b. 1930) is one of the leading producers of post-war British theatre and currently runs the West End’s Aldwych Theatre. Above The woolwork is from a renowned collection of lionalia
A pair of 18ct gold and diamond floral earrings by popular 20thcentury jeweller Cropp & Farr has an estimate of £350-450 at Wilson 55’s sale on September 16. Founded in 1917, the London based jewellers created brooches, earrings, rings, necklaces, cufflinks and bracelets, each bearing the firms’ maker’s mark ‘C&F’, sometimes within a rectangular surround and frequently accompanied with hallmarks.
Above The woolwork is from a renowned collection of lionalia
52 ANTIQUE COLLECTING
Six books signed by Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) have an estimate of £3,000£5,000 at Sworders’ timed online sale from September 17 to 26. The famous nurse gave the books, on geology, history and botany, to WJP Burton the principal of Lea Board School in Holloway, Derbyshire, which was sited in the Nightingale’s former family home. In an 1893 copy of Macmillan’s Geology Nightingale congratulates Mr Burton on the good he is doing. The collection was consigned for sale at the Essex auctioneers by Burton’s grandchildren. Above The books were signed in pencil by the famous nurse
An international football cap awarded to Sir Alf Ramsey after a 2-2 draw against Yugoslavia in 1950 has an estimate of £2,000-£3,000 at Lacy Scott & Knight’s sale on September 10. Lady Ramsey gave the hat to the current vendor while he was working as a painter and decorator at her home in Ipswich. A letter from Lady Ramsey confirming the gift is part of the lot. Above The tasselled blue velvet hat has an estimate of £2,000-£3,000
