Fiona Scott Media Consultanccy

A range of royal and naval collectibles worth thousands of pounds are being auctioned at RWB Auction’s first anniversary sale on Wednesday 29 January.

From Mary Queen of Scots, the Queen Mother to the Battle of Trafalgar – all of these famous names and events will feature in the first anniversary sale featuring almost 2,000 lots. 

It is a year this month that RWB Auction opened its doors and it has been a bumper first year of trading. The team have sold more than £2 million worth of goods for more than 2,000 clients. They have established themselves as a key player within the South West auction market with valuation events across the south of England.

General manager, Steve Bucknell said: “We could not have made such a big splash in 2024 without the trust our clients placed in us, and the engagement of buyers from across the world. We are looking forward to building on the momentum built in our first year to have an exciting series of auctions through 2025, starting with our Antiques and Interiors Sale on 29 January.” 

Head auctioneer, Gareth Wasp said: “Our first year was very exciting with the grand opening and 26 sales in just 12 months which have seen incredible items go under the hammer. We’ve also welcomed the team from the tv show Bargain Hunt twice to film eight episodes with us. 2025 has a lot more to come and enjoy.”

The first sale of 2025 includes a series of historical items with links to the Royal Family, and Royal Navy, which will be of particular interest to collectors of British historical artifacts. These all are consigned from one seller, who wishes to remain anonymous, who purchased the items from a Scottish family.

The items include: 

  • A compass used by Captain Durham at Battle of Trafalgar 1805 - an early 19th century white metal cased 16 point compass inscribed with  ‘Capt P.C.Durham RN HMS Defiance Trafalgar 21st October 1805’. Sir Philip Charles Calderwood Henderson Durham (1763-1845) took command of HMS Defiance in 1803 in the Battle of Trafalgar. A favourite of King George III, Durham was one of the foremost seamen of his day, finishing his naval career as Admiral, and afterwards serving briefly as the MP for Devizes (1834-36) before taking up the post of commander-in-chief at Portsmouth. The Defiance suffered extensive damage during the Battle of Trafalgar and after the battle Durham learned that Nelson had mentioned him personally just before going into battle saying: “Hardy tell your friend Durham he was the most sensible man of the party to stick to his ship.”. This item is estimated to sell for at least £1,500. 
  • ·Court page uniform worn at the Coronation of Edward VII – this was worn by Angus Edward Malise Bontine Cunninghame Graham (16 February 1893 – 14 February 1981) as a page boy at the coronation of his Godfather, King Edward VII on 9th August 1902. This item is estimated to sell for at least £700. 
  • 16th Century embroidery reputedly made by Mary Queen of Scots - by repute a sixteenth century piece of embroidery worked by Mary Queen of Scots whilst held at Chartley Hall between December 1585 and September 1586. Comprising different sized panels of finely worked yellow silk on cotton depicting flowers and garlands in the French manner. This is estimated to sell for at least £1,000.
  • Tortoiseshell snuff box enclosing a portrait miniature of Mary Queen of Scots – a 19th century tortoiseshell box, with finely detailed gold closed acanthus fretwork within a border decorated with garlands of flowers and central miniature portrait on ivory depicting Mary Queen of Scots. This item is estimated to sell for at least £1,000.
  • Framed signed photo of the Queen Mother - a photograph of HM Queen Elizabeth (later HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother) wearing a sequined ball gown, diamond tiara and jewels, against a painted classical garden backdrop. Signed Elizabeth R and dated 1939 and also signed in pencil by Cecil Beaton, the photographer. This year it is 120 years since the Queen Mother’s birth. This item is estimated to sell for at least £1,000. 

The sale takes place at 11am on Wednesday, 29 January at 144 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett and online.

Contact Name:
Fiona Scott
Role:
MD
Company:
Fiona Scott Media Consultanccy
Contact Email:
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Contact Phone:
07789270030
Company Website:
https://rwbauctions.com
More Details:
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