America, a country he toured
22 times, is also a major market for Lauder memorabilia, and this sporran was the centrepiece of an eight-lot ritual section at Bonhams’ Scottish sale on August 23.
Like much of the more important memorabilia in the market, the sporran had been sold as part of the contents of Lauder Hall, Strathaven, in 1966 and it was offered at Bonhams with a photograph of the kilted Sir Harry besporting it.
Manufactured by Ferguson and Macbean of Inverness, c.1900, the silver mounts attractively chased with a serpentine knotwork border, the sporran sold to a collector at £1200.
Elsewhere a two-handled American EPNS presentation cup, 17in (44cm) high, inscribed To Sir Harry Lauder...we tender this tribute of sympathy and love from Yor ain folk o’ New York, February 1928, presumably a gift of condolence for the death of his wife, Annie Valance, the previous year, sold at £520, while a barleytwist walking stick and Lauder autograph sold to an American buyer at £550.
Harry whaur’s yer sporran?
Many sporrans are military or feral in character, but this leather wallet had graced the groin of Sir Harry Lauder, legendary laird of the music hall. Winston Churchill sounded dangerously like Samuel Johnson when he described the folk singer and comedian as “Scotland’s greatest ever ambassador”, but there is no doubt that Lauder, though dead since 1950, remains popular with tourists who swallow his sentimental vision of the old country.
