The Crown props command performance

Demand was strong for props, costumes and sets from the Netflix drama series, The Crown, in a recent auction at Bonhams, with 100% sales.

More than 450 items went under the hammer which achieved more than £1,674,000 against a pre-sale estimate of £525,000, which included a live sale at Bonhams New Bond Street on February 7 and an online sale which ran from January 11 to February 8.

Tops lots in the sale included:

• A 1987 Jaguar XJ-SC 3.6 Litre Cabriolet used to portray Princess Diana’s personal Jaguar which sold for £70,250, more than four times its estimate of £15,000-20,000.
• The world’s only reproduction of the Gold State Coach achieved £56,280 almost twice its estimate (pre-sale estimate £30,000-50,000).
• Imelda Staunton (the Queen) funeral procession model as seen in the last episode of The Crown, (Season 6, Episode 10) sold for £53,740, six times the estimate (pre-sale estimate of £8,000-12,000).
• Claire Foy, Olivia Colman & Imelda Staunton, (the Queen) parquetry and gilt metal mounted cylinder bureau in the Louis XVI style, first seen in Season 2 in the Audience Room sold for £46,080 (pre-sale estimate £2,000-3,000).
• A reproduction of the Coronation Chair (Saint Edward’s Chair) sold for £25,600 (pre-sale estimate £10,000-20,000).
• The replica of the famous wrought iron gates of Buckingham Palace achieved £12,800 (pre-sale estimate £6,000-8,000) and the replica of Number 10 Downing Street façade sold for £10,880.

Many of the magnificent and memorable costumes from The Crown also delivered strong results:

• Claire Foy (as the Queen). A replica of the Coronation Ceremonial Garments including the Imperial Mantle and Stole, Supertunica, Anointing Gown and Robe of State sold for £19,200.
• Elizabeth Debicki (as Princess Diana): The dress inspired by Princess Diana’s ‘Revenge dress’ achieved £12,800 (pre-sale estimate of £8,000-12,000).
• Emma Corrin (as Lady Diana): A reproduction of Diana’s Engagement ring sold for £7,680 (pre-sale estimate: £2,000-3,000).
• Emma Corrin (as Lady Diana): An Engagement announcement ensemble, a royal blue crepe skirt suit with pussybow blouse, sold for £3,840 (pre-sale estimate: £1,500-2,000).
• Elizabeth Debicki (as Princess Diana): A ‘Harvard’ sweatshirt ensemble sold for £5,760 (pre-sale estimate: £500-700).

Quirkier character props and smaller lots from the series also achieved high prices:

• The smallest lot in the sale, a Swizzle stick, to stir drinks, used for the role of the Queen Mother in The Crown achieved a remarkable £1,664 more than 20 times its pre-sale estimate of £60-80. The lot also included a selection of character bar props compiled by The Crown’s prop department.
• Olivia Colman (as the Queen): The Audience Room bell first seen in Season 2, sold for £6,912 over 25 times its pre-sale estimate of £200-300.
• Two Beswick porcelain models of corgis together with a silver mounted photograph frame, enclosing a black and white photograph of a corgi. Sold for £3,328 (pre-sale estimate: £200-300).

Charlie Thomas, Bonhams UK Group Director for Private & Iconic Collections commented: “It has been an immense privilege to work with Left Bank Pictures on this incredible sale. The Crown Auction offered a unique opportunity to own pieces from the landmark show, the closest most of us will get to the real thing. We are delighted with the result – a white glove sale in which everything was 100% sold. It is without doubt testimony to the success of the series and the incredible talent that worked on The Crown.”

Proceeds from the live auction to fund scholarships at the National Film and Television School (NFTS).