Colchester: Reeman Dansie holding royal goods auction next week

Reeman Dansie, in Severalls Business Park, is hosting its royalty, fine art and antiques sale on November 5 and November 6.

​On day one, there is an old piece cake taken from the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip Duke of Edinburgh’s wedding on November 20, 1947.

HQ - Reeman Dansie in Severalls Business Park (Image: Reeman Dansie) It was sent from the then Princess Elizabeth to Marion Polson, the housekeeper at The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland from 1931 to 1969.

It also comes with the original packaging and a letter, it is expected to sell for up to £500.

Managing Director James Grinter, 59, is “the leading specialist in royal items”.

He said: “We’ve sold weirder things, such as bit of Napoleon’s hair, partly smoked cigars from Churchill, thy all fetch fortunes.

“As far as the cake, I have sold plenty of the empty boxes, but not the whole original package.

“I would not fancy eating, it may be past sell by date." 

Item 26 - the wedding cake in its packaging with correspondence (Image: Reeman Dansie) The first item for sale when the auction kicks off at 9.30am, is a beautiful navy wool, fur-lined coat that belonged to King Edward VIII.

King Edward VIII, who reigned between January 20, 1936, to December 11 and after abdicating the throne became the Duke of Windsor, used to wear the coat whilst in New York.

Item 1 - the coat which belonged to King Edward VIII (Image: Reeman Dansie)

It is expected to sell for a price between £2,000 to £3,000.

Mr Grinter's favourite item listed in the auction is the coat, and he called it an “important piece of royal clothing” and a “magnificent piece of English tailoring despite being 90-years-old”.

Expert - James Grinter (Image: Reeman Dansie) In the auction, there’s a signed photograph from 1992 of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, a written letter from Lady Diana Princess of Wales, historic medals, jewels, cutlery, ceramics, paintings, correspondence and more.

There’s even a partly smoked Havana Cigar used by former Prime Minister Winston Churchill which comes with an inscription and vogue chocolate box, which should sell for a price between £500 to £700.

item 61 - a signed photo of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip in 1992, it is expected to sell for a price between £800 to £1,000 (Image: Reeman Dansie)

Item 104 - the letter from Lady Diana Princess of Wales is expected to sell for a price between £500 to £700 (Image: Reeman Dansie) Item 72 - Winston Churchill's cigar (Image: Reeman Dansie) Mr Grinter said: “Lady Diana is quite a draw for collectors.

“We’ve had items of clothing from the late queen in the past.

“Personal items are the ultimate items that collectors like to own, a personal memento the person owned. We are very lucky we have such a wide range of items.”

To find out more, visit reemandansie.com/forthcoming-sales.