YOU may be amused to learn that a rare pair of Queen Victoria's hand-sewn knee length knickers (or bloomers), with a single button and draw string 40-41inch waist and embroidered with a Royal Crest are to be sold in Somerset.
The sale at Lawrences of Crewkerne on Wednesday, April 19, also includes Queen Victoria's chemise or nightdress, embroidered with a Royal Crest, and a pair of associated leather slippers, with satin bows and cut steel buttons, with a makers label for 'Gundry & Sons, Makers to the Queen, The Princess & The Royal Family, 17 New Bond St, London'.
The items have been inherited through the Oakden/Bickerton family line to the present owners.
Their ancestor was a Lady of the Bedchamber who worked for Queen Victoria and presumably the artefacts were given to her.
The bloomers were featured in a recent episode of the Antiques Roadshow and the lost carries an estimate of £5,000-7,000.
These are items rarely seen in auction and are an amazing piece of social history.
There are very keen collectors for Royal Memorabilia and also for items relating to Queen Victoria, so Lawrences expects a huge amount of interest.
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