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Local collectors are hoping that a Royal's ice skates will sell for a princely sum when they go under the hammer this week.
Prince Philip's ice skates are one of a number of quirky collectables Britannia Place-based Just Collecting Jersey have put up for sale in their online Prestige Collectibles Auction.
The skates, which were made a gift to one of his chauffeurs, are one of the items auction buffs and royalists alike can bid to own.
However, these black leather boots certainly aren’t for cheapskates, with the Prince’s footwear estimated to fetch up to £400-500.
Speaking about the boots, auctioneer Dan Wade said: “Prince Philip was a real sportsman in his younger days. It's fun to think of Philip in these skates performing twirls on the frozen boating pond at Balmoral. They are an intimate piece of royal history.
“They were consigned to us by the son of a former Clarence House chauffeur. The chauffeur told his son that they were Prince Philip's ice skates which Philip had given to him in the 1950s.
“It is quite common for the royals to make gifts of their second-hand items. Queen Victoria used to do it with her underwear.”
However, it was another item of royalty that Dan said was his particular favourite in the auction, singling out a silver dollar coin carried by the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, as a good luck charm.
Pictured: The Duchess' coin is accompanied by several of her unused notelets.
“We believe Simpson kept it in her handbag throughout her life,” Dan said. “And I’m sure Wallis Simpson would say the dollar brought her plenty of luck. She married the man she loved: the most eligible bachelor on the planet, and enjoyed a luxurious life of parties and vacations for several decades.
“The coin has cast-iron provenance. It comes from Edward VIII’s personal valet - Sydney Johnson. A man of impeccable credentials.”
The coin carries a bit more value than its initial dollar value would imply too, with estimates suggesting it could net up to £800 - £1,000.
Other interesting items featuring in the auction include: an original Dalí sculpture, Marc Bolan's Afghan coat, a scarf worn by Madonna in her True Blue video, props from a Star Wars film and a number of autographs.
Bidders will have to get their skates on if they want to get either the Prince’s boots or the Duchess’ lucky coin though, as bidding will end 18:00 next Thursday (12 November).
Click HERE to see the full collection.
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