Auction Details - AUCTION ALREADY HELD
Royalty, Antiques and Fine Art Sale (Day 1 of 2)
Auctioneer: Reeman Dansie Location: No. 8 Wyncolls Road, Severalls Business Park, Colchester CO4 9HU
Contact: Tel: 01206 754754 Fax: 01206 754750
Date: 19th November 2019 Time: 10:00AM
Details: Viewing:
Saturday 16th November 2019 9am until 1pm
Monday 18th November 2019 9am until 6pm
Mornings of Sale from 9am
Page: 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17  
Auction Lots - Page 1

The Mr Ernest 'Henry' Bennett R.V.M. Collection
The Page to The Back Stairs to Her Majesty The Queen
Ernest Bennett was born in Tetbury Gloucester on 26th March 1905. He left school aged 12 and worked in a grocers shop in Cricklade. When he was 16 a friend, who, went to work at Chatsworth for the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, suggested he applied for a footman's position.
As a footman he was given the name 'Henry' because they already had an 'Ernest' in employment, this name stayed with him for all his years in service. He worked his way up at Chatsworth eventually becoming a butler and for a short while in the mid-1930s he went to America as a butler for the Hollywood Star Fred Astaire. Feeling homesick he returned to England and in 1936 obtained a position with Major General The Earl of Athlone and his wife H.R.H. Princess Alice who lived at The Clock House, Kensington Palace, London and Brantridge Park in West Sussex.
Ernest was highly regarded by the Athlones, so much so, that the Earl agreed to become Ernest's son's Godfather. He accompanied them to Canada when the Earl was appointed Governor General from 1940-1946. He was an excellent butler: quiet, thoughtful, discreet and attentive. His reputation in Royal circles was such that, in 1949, Princess Elizabeth asked her great uncle to release Bennett from his service so that he could go to work for her.
Henry, as he was called by the Princess, became her steward and an indispensable and trusted member of her household at Clarence House. He accompanied the Princess to Kenya for her fateful trip in 1952 when she became Queen.
Also in 1952 Henry was given the honour of being appointed The Queen's first Page to the Backstairs, The Queen's Senior Butler. He held the post for nearly 30 years during which time he attended The Queen at her Coronation in 1953 and he travelled the world on numerous Royal tours. He was said to have been regarded as very much one of the family by the Queen.
He and his wife had the honour to have a grace and favour apartment at Kensington Palace where he died on 22nd March 1989 aged 77. A very discreet and dedicated servant who reached the top of his profession.

1
Click to view full image... Important group of Royal service medals awarded to Mr Ernest 'Henry' Bennett R.V.M., The Page to The Backstairs to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - comprising Royal Victorian Medal (Gold), Royal Victorian Medal (Silver),1953 Coronation Medal, Queens Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 and Royal Family Long and Faithful Service medal engraved '1949-1969' and named 'Ernest Bennett' the rest un-named as issued and court mounted. Sold with miniatures and medal ribbon bar, and a collection of 26 foreign orders and medals awarded to Mr Bennett whilst accompanying The Queen on Royal Tours and for assisting Foreign Heads of State on State visits to England. The collection is sold with a fascinating group of ephemera including Mr Bennett's letter of engagement to work for the Queen in 1949, some of the citations for the 31 awards he received and their original boxes, photograph albums of Royal Tours, Royal Household letters, his Butler's training notes in two notebooks etc. A unique collection to a very loyal and well thought of senior servant within the Royal Household who was with The Queen in Kenya when she ascended the throne, attended Her Majesty during the Coronation and subsequently for nearly a further thirty years.
£1,000 - 2,000
2
Click to view full image... H.M.Queen Elizabeth II - fine pair gold (9ct) and enamel Royal presentation cufflinks given to Ernest Bennett - The Page of The Backstairs to Her Majesty The Queen - the four gold ovals enamelled in colours with crowned ERII ciphers in original fitted box with gilt embossed crowned cipher to lid - retailed by Plante & Johnson, Bury Street, London
£1,000 - 1,500
3
Click to view full image... H.M. Queen Elizabeth II and H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh - pair 1950s gold (9ct) presentation cufflinks given to Ernest Bennett, The Page of The Backstairs to Her Majesty The Queen - the gold ovals with applied crowned ciphers of The Queen and Prince Phillip in original box with gilt embossed crown to lid - retailed by Collingwood, Conduit Street, London.
£500 - 800
4
Click to view full image... H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh - fine pair gold (9ct) and blue enamel presentation cufflinks given to Ernest Bennett, The Page to The Backstairs to Her Majesty The Queen, each emblazoned with crowned Prince Phillip cipher, in original fitted box with gilt embossed cipher to lid, retailed by Plante, Bury Street, London
£600 - 1,000
5
Click to view full image... H.R.H. The Prince of Wales - pair silver and red enamel presentation cufflinks by Gerald Benney, given to Ernest Bennett, The Page of The Backstairs to Her Majesty The Queen, of triangular form with engraved crowned P.O.W. feather crests within Garter collars - in original box retailed by Gerald Benney, Bear Lane, London.
£500 - 700
6
  Major-General The Honourable The Earl of Athlone and H.R.H. Princess Alice Countess of Athlone, pair gold (9ct) presentation cufflinks given to their Butler Mr Ernest Bennett, the ovals engraved with the Athlone and Princess Alice ciphers in associated case
£200 - 300
7
Click to view full image... H.M. King Olaf of Norway - pair presentation silver gilt cufflinks given to Mr Ernest Bennett, The Page of the Backstairs to Her Majesty The Queen, each oval cast with crowned Norwegian Royal cipher in original box retailed by David Andersen
£100 - 200
8
  H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden - pair silver and parcel gilt presentation cufflinks given to Mr Ernest Bennett The Page to The Backstairs to Her Majesty The Queen, the two ovals with crowned Royal ciphers and folding bar backs - in associated box
£100 - 200
9
Click to view full image... His Imperial Majesty The Shah of Iran - fine presentation silver cigarette case finely engraved with figures, deer and foliage with central applied gold Imperial crown in original fitted box with gilt embossed Imperial crown to lid - the case 12 x 8cm - given to Ernest Bennett, The Page of The Backstairs to Her Majesty The Queen
£200 - 300
10
  His Serene Highness Prince Alexander of Teck - later The Earl of Athlone - an Edwardian silver cigarette case with engraved Royal Crown and 'A.T. 1904' below - retailed by Tiffany & Co. - H.M. Chester 1903 -13 x 9cm.
Provenance: Believed to have been a wedding present to Prince Alexander and given by him to his Butler Ernest Bennett as a gift in the 1940s - sold with a pigskin wallet with gilt embossed Earl of Athlone cipher to front - retailed by Dunhill (2)
£100 - 150
11
Click to view full image... Major General The Honourable Earl of Athlone - fine Victorian silver goblet finely cast and chased with birds, animals, human masks and foliage, raised on circular foot engraved around base "Christopher Athlone Bennett, from his Godfather The Earl of Athlone, 30th July 1947" HM London 1874 maker, 17cm high sold with typed guest list to the christening dated 30th July 1947 and signed photographs of the Athlones with the Bennetts and baby on his christening day -
Provenance Christopher Bennett was the son of Ernest Bennett who was the Earls loyal Butler.
£200 - 300
12
  The Federal Republic of Germany - two silver presentation cigarette boxes, one with the facsimile signature of the First President Theodore Heuss, the other with the facsimile signature of the second President Heinrich Hubke and dated 18-28 Mai 1965 - 9.5cm - 11.5cm wide.
Provenance: Given to Mr Ernest Bennett The Page to The Backstairs to Her Majesty The Queen on state visits. (2)
£60 - 100
13
Click to view full image... The Grand Duke of Luxembourg - presentation paper knife with engine turned handle mounted with gilt crowned cipher in original case and eastern presentation miniature Mameluke sword with gilt metal mounts and etched blade in original case. (2)
£100 - 150
14
  His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia - gold presentation coin in fitted case with gilt embossed crown to lid, another gold Ethiopian gold coin and gilt metal Imperial Ethiopian coat of arms plaque (3)
£150 - 200
15
  Collection of Royal commemorative coins - some in fitted cases
£30 - 40
16
  Hungarian gold (9ct) medallion decorated with Cupid signed P.Vincz - 30mm diameter and yellow metal star with central Kings Crown (2)
£100 - 150
17
  Collection of scarce Royal Staff enamelled lapel pins including Royal Visits to Canada, uniform buttons etc belonging to Mr Ernest Bennet R.V.M. The Queen's Page
£50 - 70
18
Click to view full image... Rare collection of 1960s Royal Tour official special security passes all named to Mr Ernest Bennett The Queen's Page including Australia and Provinces 1963, New Zealand 1963, Iran, India and Pakistan 1961, Fiji 1963 (14)
£100 - 150
19
  Collection of Royal playing cards by Thomas De La Rue & Co. including sets with Crowned King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal ciphers printed to fronts - all in original boxes - approx 14 packs
£100 - 150
20
  Collection of silver and other cufflinks given to Mr Ernest Bennett whilst on Royal Tours including from the King of Thailand.
£50 - 70
21
  1950s blue leather document slip case by Hermes, Paris, 32 x 23.5cm and red and gilt tooled leather blotter 31 x 22cm (2)
£200 - 300
22
  1950s blue leather cigarette box with gilt embossed picture of The Royal Yacht and 'Opening of the St.Lawrence Seaway by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1959' and gilt Royal Arms to the interior - sold with a letter on H.M.Yacht Britannia headed notepaper giving the box to "Henry" as a token of appreciation and Indian enamelled and engraved cigarette box given by The Maharaja of Jaipur. (2)
£40 - 60
23
Click to view full image... 1950s/1960s official black leather briefcase with gilt tooled crowned ER II royal cipher to flap and Mr E. Bennett label to front and another black leather briefcase with gilt E.B. Initials (2)
£50 - 70
24
  Major-General The Honourable Earl of Athlone and H.R.H. Princess Alice Countess of Athlone - pair 1940s signed presentation black and white portrait photographs - The Earl wearing the full dress uniform of Colonel and Gold Stick of the Life Guards, wearing orders and decorations - signed in ink 'Athlone' - The Princess wearing a diamond tiara, orders and dressed in a ball gown -signed in ink 'Alice May Ottawa 1941' - both in original green painted frames 33 x 25.5cm.
Provenance: Given to the Athlone's Butler Mr Ernest Bennett.
£200 - 300
25
Click to view full image... Admiral of The Fleet The Right Honourable Earl Mountbatten of Burma - signed black and white presentation portrait photograph of The Earl in Naval uniform wearing the Star of the Order of The Garter and medal ribbons - signed in ink on mount 'Mountbattern of Burma A.F.' mounted behind glass 24 x 18cm, sold with a signed letter dated 25th March 1974 from Lord Mountbattern to Ernest Bennett, The Queens Page, thanking him for looking after him during a six week cruise on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. (2)
£100 - 150
26
Click to view full image... H.R.H. Princess Alexandra and The Honourable Angus Ogilvy signed presentation portrait photograph of the Royal couple with gilt embossed crowned cipher and ink signatures to mount in original gilt embossed red leather frame 23.5 x 18cm
£100 - 150
27
Click to view full image... The Right Honourable Sir Winston Churchill a fine wartime signed presentation portrait photograph by Karsh. The iconic resolved pose of The Prime Minister often referred to as 'The Roaring Lion' taken at the Canadian Parliament by Yousuf Karsh just after Churchill delivered his speech in December 1941. signed in ink on the mount 'Winston S. Churchill' and signed in pencil by Karsh, mounted on a page from Mr Ernest Bennett's scrap book, The Butler to The Governor General of Canada, Major-General The Honourable Earl of Athlone and H.R.H. Princess Alice Countess of Athlone. The image 24 x 17cm
£1,000 - 2,000
28
Click to view full image... The Right Honourable Sir Winston Churchill - fine signed wartime printed portrait photograph and extract from his first 'Be ye men of valour'broadcast speech, signed in ink 'Winston S. Churchill December 1941' and where his fountain pen left an unsightly blot of ink a paper label has been stuck over it which is inscribed 'Goverment House Ottawa Canada', in original glazed frame 34x24cm overall.
Provenance: given to Mr Ernest Bennett, the Butler of The Governor General of Canada, Major-General The Honourable Earl of Athlone and H.R.H. Princess Alice Countess of Athlone.
£500 - 800
29
Click to view full image...Click to view full image...Click to view full image...Click to view full image... An Important 1940/1950s autographed photograph and scrap album belonging to Mr Ernest Bennett, the Butler to the Governor General of Canada - Major General The Honourable The Earl of Athlone and H.R.H. Princess Alice Countess of Athlone and later Page to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - the album containing a signed portrait of H.M. Queen Mary, a signed portrait of King George V (signed in rememberance by Queen Mary), signed portrait of the Duchess of Devonshire, numerous signed portraits of the Earl and Countess of Athlone, Lady May and Henry Abel Smith, fine signed wartime portrait of H.R.H. Prince George Duke of Kent dated 1941 and another of the Duke seated with the Earl of Athlone signed by them both and dated July 30th 1941, signed Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, signed King George of Greece dated July 4th 1942, fine wartime signed portraits of President Roosevelt dated Ottawa 1943 and Mrs Roosevelt ,signed portrait of General Smuts, signed portrait of the Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King dated Ottawa July 1st 1945, signed portrait of Princess Marina Duchess of Kent dated 1947 and signed by Cecil Beaton, numerous other Royal photographs including 1940s portraits of Princess Elizabeth, Mr Ernest Bennetts invitation to the 1953 Coronation, ephemera regarding the funeral of The Earl of Athlone - The album 38 x 27cm quarter calf and cloth bound
£1,000 - 1,500
30
Click to view full image...Click to view full image...Click to view full image...Click to view full image...Click to view full image... Major-General The Honourable Earl of Athlone and H.R.H. Princess Alice Countess of Athlone - The Wartime Governor General of Canada - a unique and important archive of ephemera contained in eight scrap albums of the Governor Generals time in Canada from 1940 to 1946 - collated in time order by Mr Ernest Bennett The Athlone's Butler - including signed photograph of the Athlones and Mr Mackenzie King and Mr Daudrand on their official welcome to Canada dated June 21st 1940, The Governor Generals train, visits to all parts of Canada, Government House and staff, including interior views, signed photographs of H.R.H. The Duke of Kent on 30th July 1941, meeting native Americans and the Earl being proclaimed Chief Rainbow and signing the photograph as such, Winston Churchills visit to Ottawa December 21st 1941, Crown Prince and Princess of Norway visit and signed photograph January 16th 1942, the opening of Parliament January 22nd 1942, visits by The King of The Hellenes, The King of Yugoslavia, The Queen of the Netherlands, Antony Eden (including original dinner invitations), Big Game hunting in the Rockies September 1943 including many informal photos of the Athlones, visit of MME. Chiangmai Kai-Shek 1943, The Athlones skiing, visit of The Governor General to Washington March 22nd-24th 1945 including programme and menu and place card for the White House Correspondants' Association Annual Dinner march 22nd 1945 including a detailed account by Bennett of the visit, visit of General De Gaulle August 28th 1945, Staff at Goverment House in full dress uniforms 1946, original handwritten telegrams from The Earl thanking the Canadian Prime Minister for his splendid leaving arrangements and how sad they are for leaving Canada, visit to America and holiday in Trinidad followed by cruise home on The Queen Mary from New York to Southampton - sale particulars of Brantridge Park the Athlone's country seat - an important historical record (8) sold together with letters to Mr Bennett from Lord Athlone and Princess Alice during and after his service, Mr Bennetts Daily Journals from 1937 to 1948 detailing his daily working routine, Mr Bennetts Visitors book signed by H.M. Queen Mary, The Athlones and other notables and Canada related items.
£1,000 - 1,500
31
  Fascinating late 1940s / early 1950s Royal related photograph album of the Royal family in Scotland compiled by Mr Ernest Bennett, The Queens Page, dating from 1947 to 1955 including the Royal family at the Ballater Games 1947, the staff at Birkhall1949, Braemar Games 1951, Princess Margarets 21st Birthday at Balmoral 1951, staff at Balmoral 1952, more games, feathers from the first grouse shot by the Queen at Balmoral September 1955 and white heather from The Queen's bouquet Braemer games September 1955, the leather bound album 24 x 36cm
£100 - 150
32
  A collection of rare 1950s Royal Tour and State Dinner menus with decorative bindings (29 +)
£100 - 200
33
  Rare collection of Royal State banquet and Mansion House Menus 1950s-1970s (approx 55 +)
£200 - 300
34
  H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth later H.M. Queen Elizabeth II - a group of five late 1940s letters from the Princess to Mr Ernest Bennett giving instructions, informing him of her movements and thanking him for his good wishes and related telegrams etc
£500 - 700
35
  H.M.Queen Elizabeth II three hand written letters to her Page Mr Ernest Bennett dated 1979 and 1986 thanking Bennett for birthday presents and another hand written letter from The Queen dated 1969 asking him about the whereabouts of some carpet patterns Her Majesty chose for Sandringham - three with envelopes (4)
£600 - 1,000
36
  H.R.H. The Princess Margaret handwritten letter on Balmoral Castle headed notepaper dated August 27th 1951, to Mr Ernest Bennett thanking him for the gift of a cruet set from all the staff at Birkhall for her 21st birthday present, signed 'Yours Sincerely Margaret' with original envelope and another handwritten letter from the Princess to Bennett regarding the death of Mrs Mac dated May 1984 with envelope (2)
£100 - 150
37
  H.R.H. Prince Charles The Prince of Wales, two handwritten letters to The Queen's Page Mr Ernest Bennett, one dated December 14th 1979 thanking Bennett for a birthday present, the other dated September 2nd 1986 expressing The Prince's concern for Mrs Bennett's failing health, both signed 'Charles', both with envelopes
£100 - 150
38
  Two fine large 1960s colour photographs of the State visit to America of Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh at the Whitehouse with President and Mrs Eisenhower 45x38cm and 49x33cm (2)
£40 - 60
39
  H.M. Queen Elizabeth II - a collection of six fine black and white portrait photographs taken by Dorothy Wilding in the early 1950s, the young Queen in various posses and selection of other Royal photographs.
£50 - 70
40
Click to view full image... H.R.H. Princess Anne The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips - signed 1977 portrait photograph of the couple with their first child - in glazed frame 32x37.5cm
£60 - 80
41
Click to view full image... Mac - an original pen and ink cartoon probably for the Daily Mail depicting The Queen's Page holding a tray of coffee aloft and bending over and presenting a telegram to two pairs of eyes hiding in an island jungle with the Royal Yacht anchored off shore - inscribed in pencil by the artist "You can come out now Ma'am - you don't have to fly home to see Harold again after all" - in glazed frame 39x47cm overall.
Provenance: Given by the artist to Mr Ernest Bennett - The Queen's Page.
£100 - 200
42
Click to view full image...Click to view full image...Click to view full image...Click to view full image...Click to view full image...Click to view full image... An Important card and scrap album belonging to Mr Ernest Bennett R.V.M. The Page of The Backstairs to H.M. The Queen containing a complete run of signed Christmas cards from H.M. The Queen and H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh from 1949 to 1978 and numerous other Royal Christmas cards including H.M. Queen Mary 1951, H.R.H.Princess Marina Duchess of Kent, H.R.H.Princess Alexandra, H.R.H.Princess Alice Countess of Athlone, H.R.H. Prince Charles The Prince of Wales, Norman Hartnell note and other Royal ephemera relating to Mr Bennett's long service in the Royal Household. The Album 54x37cm quarter calf bound.
£500 - 1,000
43
  H.M. Queen Victoria - signed and inscribed book frontpiece signed Victoria R.I. Feb 12. 1884, three Victorian envelopes addressed to Queen Victoria with stamps and postmarks and Victorian Balmoral Castle menu card (4)
£100 - 150
44
  The Coronation of H.M.Queen Elizabeth II - rare printed and handwritten card 'The Queen's Engagements for Tuesday 2nd June 1953 - and Coronation Banquet instructions for The Queen's Page Mr Ernest Bennett and related ephemera
£50 - 70
45
  Collection of Royal related First Day cover stamps on envelopes contained in two albums mostly 1960s-1970s collected by Mr Ernest Bennett R.V.M. The Queen's Page.
£40 - 60
46
  Collection of bound 1950s and 60s Royal related magazines with articles about The Royal Family and Royal Tours and related magazines
£30 - 40
47
Click to view full image... Fine 1930s - 1950s Persian silk pictorial rug depicting H.M. King George VI in naval uniform wearing orders and decorations with Crown and Union Jack decoration, exotic animal and floral borders with Persian inscription 160 x 109cm approx.
Provenance: Given by H.M.The Queen to her Page Mr Ernest Bennett R.V.M.
£800 - 1,200
48
Click to view full image... H.I.H. Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia - presentation silk rug decorated with a profile portrait of The Emperor and inscription below within colourful floral borders 118 x 114cm approx.
Provenance: Given by The Emperor to Mr Ernest Bennett The Queens's Page on a State Visit.
£200 - 300
49
  Large collection of Royal ceremonials and Orders of Service 1960s -1980s and other Royal ephemera.
Provenance: Mr Ernest Bennett R.V.M. The Queen's Page.
£100 - 150
50
Click to view full image... H.M.Queen Elizabeth II and H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh - six signed Christmas cards 1980-1986, sent to Mr Ernest Bennett R.V.M. The Queen's retired Page.
£200 - 300
Auction Details - AUCTION ALREADY HELD
Royalty, Antiques and Fine Art Sale (Day 1 of 2)
Auctioneer: Reeman Dansie Location: No. 8 Wyncolls Road, Severalls Business Park, Colchester CO4 9HU
Contact: Tel: 01206 754754 Fax: 01206 754750
Date: 19th November 2019 Time: 10:00AM
Details: Viewing:
Saturday 16th November 2019 9am until 1pm
Monday 18th November 2019 9am until 6pm
Mornings of Sale from 9am
Page: 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17