Bonhams have announced details of a once-in-a-lifetime auction of props, furniture and costumes from The Crown, the award-winning Netflix series which has just released its final series.
From the recreation of The Queen’s Coronation ordaining dress, Imperial Mantle and red Coronation robe (estimate £20,000 – 30,000) to the replica of the famous wrought-iron gates of Buckingham Palace (estimate £6,000-8,000), almost 450 lots will be offered through a live sale at Bonhams, New Bond Street and an online auction.
Significantly, proceeds from the live sale – which will feature 150 lots – will go towards establishing the Left Bank Pictures –The Crown Scholarship programme at the National Film and Television School (NFTS). This will support a number of students at the NFTS over the next 20 years, enabling them to receive the specialised training for which the school is globally renowned. Over 60 alumni of NFTS have contributed to the six series of The Crown, which was produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television.
Other highlights of the sale include:
The world’s only reproduction of the Gold State Coach. Estimate: £30,000-50,000.
Claire Foy (as The Queen): Powder blue ballgown with pearl embellishment featured in the promotional poster with fur stole and grey leather court shoes. Season 1 Episode 5. Estimate: £5,000-7,000.
Elizabeth Debicki (as Princess Diana): The ‘Revenge dress’, an off-the-shoulder black cocktail dress. Season 5 episode 5. Estimate: £8,000-12,000.
Vanessa Kirby (as Princess Margaret): Full-length ivory wedding dress & veil with cream satin shoes. Season 2 Episode 7. Estimate: £6,000-8,000.
Jonathan Pryce (as Prince Philip): Desk – a French early 20th century mahogany and gilt-metal mounted pedestal desk, together with a variety of desk accessories. Estimate: £3,000-5,000.
Lesley Manville (as Princess Margaret): A suite of luggage, comprising three steamer trunks, a leather suitcase and two hatboxes with cream lining, all painted in cream with The Crown’s crowned ‘M’ monogram. Estimate: £1,000-1,500.
Two Beswick porcelain models of corgis (17cm wide, 7cm deep, 14cm high) together with a silver mounted photograph frame, enclosing a black and white photograph of a corgi. Estimate: £200-300.
Charlie Thomas, Bonhams UK Group Director for House Sales and Private & Iconic Collections commented: “The iconic costumes, props and set pieces from The Crown are extensively researched and made with truly impressive attention to detail by master craftspeople. Not only is this an incredible opportunity to own pieces from the landmark show, it is also the closest anyone can come to owning the real thing – be it the façade of 10 Downing Street or Princess Diana’s engagement ring.”
Andy Harries, Chief Executive of Left Bank Pictures and Executive Producer of The Crown, added: “It has been a privilege for me and all at Left Bank Pictures to have been at the heart of The Crown. Its huge global success has much to do with working with the best creative and production talent in this country and we want to invest the proceeds of this magnificent auction into the next generation of film and TV talent. The NFTS has been part of The Crown’s history from the start with many of its graduates contributing to the production of the show over the years. I have long admired the ethos and training of the school and supported it personally. So, I am thrilled that the legacy of The Crown will be to provide so much financial support for so many students at the NFTS over the next few decades.”
The Crown Auction featuring 150 lots takes place at Bonhams, New Bond Street, London on 7 February 2024. An online auction of 300 lots takes place between 30 January and 8 February 2024. For further information including details of previews in New York, Los Angeles, Paris and London: bonhams.com
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Image: A reproduction of the Gold State Coach. Estimate: £30,000-50,00. Image courtesy of Bonhams.