The Wallis Simpson items being offered at Henry Aldridge & Son were sold at Sotheby's in 1987. This is the original catalogue. Items in the sale include this gold hallmarked pencil holder, Alexander James Strachan, London, 1824. It is 4in (10cm) in length and carries an estimate of £5000-7000.
The lots, carrying a combined upper estimate of £70,000, were all purchased in a sale at Sotheby’s Geneva in April 1987.
An onyx pocket watch by Cartier includes a telling inscription: Easter 12/4/36. It refers to Easter 1936. Edward, who succeeded his father as king in January that year, spent Easter with Simpson at Fort Belvedere with a few guests. By December he had abdicated and in June 1937 he married divorcee Simpson.
The collection will be offered at Henry Aldridge & Son Collectors’ Items and Antiques auction on July 21 in Devizes.
