| LONDON – Americans seem to have a fascination with all things royal. For those of you who can’t get enough of the life of Buckingham Palace, an upcoming auction conducted by Reeman Dansie Auctioneers on July 5 will offer a rare inside look at the royals. The items offered are from the collection of a man who spent 50 years working for the royal family. Many of those years were spent as Butler to Her majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. William Tallon, who died last November, joined the Royal Household in 1951, at the age of 15. He worked his way up to become Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Steward and the Page of the Backstairs – an ancient title for butler which resulted in him affectionately known by the public as “Backstairs Billy.” He and his lifelong partner Reginald Wilcock, who was the under butler, were devoted to Her Majesty and she was to them. This special relationship is reflected by the range of items amassed by Tallon over his years in Royal Service. These include hundreds of Royal Christmas cards, letters, photograph albums, books, Royal Presentation gifts, pictures, sculptures, silver, china, glassware and furniture totaling 700 lots. The sale includes eight letters written to him from Diana, Princess of Wales, thanking him for flowers left out for her at Clarence House on the eve of her wedding and thanks for letters of congratulations on the birth of her sons, William and Harry. In one letter, dated June 28, 1982 she writes: “We are not sure at the moment what has hit us, except a very strong pair of lungs! – Both parents are making little sense, we just seem to spend most of our time gazing at this tiny person! “William Tallon’s collection provides a rare window into the life of a Royal servant and in particular William’s devotion to the late Queen Mother,” said James Grinter, Senior Partner of Reeman Dansie Auctioneers. Among the items going under the hammer are: A beautiful presentation silver box by Garrards, which is emblazoned with the Queen Mother’s Royal Arms and inscribed ’For William Tallon on the occasion of his 65th birthday 12th November 2000 from Elizabeth R Clarence House.’ * A group of letters from Diana, Princess of Wales to William Tallon regarding her wedding and the birth of her children. On a more affordable note there is a large collection of Halcyon Days enamel boxes and Easter eggs – a very popular Royal gift. The auction will be conducted live online via the-saleroom.com. The-saleroom.com is a division of dmg world media, which also owns AntiqueWeek. |
