Princess Diana letter on turning 30 to go under the hammer
Diana on turning 30—”I want a medal when I finally make it please!”
A Princess Diana handwritten letter will be auctioned By Boston-based RR Auction.
The one-page letter signed “Diana, x,” on Kensington Palace letterhead, dated July 2, 1990. Letter to Bruce and Anita, in full: “What a wonderful Jersey I have been given & how really touched I am to be remembered for entering my 30th year — I want a medal when I finally make it please! It was typical of you both to spoil me with one lovely Jersey — is this a new line as I haven’t seen this before, or am I just very behind with the times?! However, this comes with much love & endless thanks for helping to make Sunday a positively happy one.” The letter is believed to have been sent to British fashion designer Bruce Oldfield who began making couture clothes for Diana in the 1980’s, and Anita Richardson his business partner.
“Princess Diana’s handwriting had a beautiful flourish, and her letters — a caring and loving tone,” said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. “I think it was her open and engaging quality that made her so relatable.”
“It is also longstanding royal protocol not to give autograph’s, so it will be interesting to see what content from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, appears in the near future.”
Among other items to be featured are several holiday cards including a holiday card embossed with the Prince of Wales’s feathers and Order of the Garter motto and the Spencer family arms.
The Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction from RR Auction began on May 18 and will conclude on June 13. More details can be found online at www.rrauction.com.
#387 – Princess Diana
Diana on turning 30—”I want a medal when I finally make it please!”
#390 – Princess Diana and Prince Charles
Christmas card embossed with the Prince of Wales’s feathers and Order of the Garter motto and the Spencer family arms, measuring 12 x 8 open, featuring an affixed color photo of Diana and Charles posing outside with their two young sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To you both, from Diana and” and “Charles.” An uncommon example given that Charles typically added the inscription.
#393 – Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
Royal Christmas and New Year’s card from 1952, with a gilt-embossed crown on the front, measuring 13.5 x 8.5 open, featuring a charming photo of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip posing with their two young children, signed in fountain pen, “Elizabeth R” and “Philip.”
#388 – Princess Diana and Prince Charles
Wonderful 1989 Christmas card embossed on the front with the Prince of Wales’s feathers and Order of the Garter motto and the Spencer family arms, measuring 16 x 6 open, featuring an affixed color photo of the royal couple posing with their two young sons on a wooden fence, signed in fountain pen, “from, Charles and,” and in black ink, “Diana.” In fine to very fine condition. Accompanied by a silk-bound hardcover copy of Earl Spencer’s Tribute to Diana Princess of Wales, published by Althorp in 1997, signed and inscribed on an introductory page in blue ink, “To Jean, Charles Spencer.” Includes the original Althorp presentation box.
