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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Queen Mother 'pack gin' note sold | Queen Mother 'pack gin' note sold |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A note in which the Queen Mother asked her aide to pack gin and Dubonnet has sold for £16,000 - well over the expected £3,000. | A note in which the Queen Mother asked her aide to pack gin and Dubonnet has sold for £16,000 - well over the expected £3,000. |
| It was the most sought-after item in the unique collection of royal letters, photographs and artefacts sold at auction on Saturday. | It was the most sought-after item in the unique collection of royal letters, photographs and artefacts sold at auction on Saturday. |
| The items were discovered after the death of former royal servant William Tallon, known as Backstairs Billy. | The items were discovered after the death of former royal servant William Tallon, known as Backstairs Billy. |
| He was in service for 52 years, and was a favourite of the Queen Mother. | He was in service for 52 years, and was a favourite of the Queen Mother. |
| The hand-written note which sparked a telephone bidding war read: "I think that I will take two small bottles of Dubonnet and gin with me this morning, in case it is needed." | The hand-written note which sparked a telephone bidding war read: "I think that I will take two small bottles of Dubonnet and gin with me this morning, in case it is needed." |
| About 400 people followed proceedings in the auction room of Reeman Dansie in Colchester, Essex, with another 1,000 placing bids by phone and the internet. | About 400 people followed proceedings in the auction room of Reeman Dansie in Colchester, Essex, with another 1,000 placing bids by phone and the internet. |
| Backstairs Billy's cousin talks about the 'lovely man' | |
| Before the auction began it was thought that the collection could fetch at least £250,000. | Before the auction began it was thought that the collection could fetch at least £250,000. |
| But with many lots selling for 15% above the estimated price, auctioneer James Grinter said that £500,000 was a more likely total. | |
| Solicitor Stephen Lansley, the executor of the will, said the beneficiaries, including a charity, would be announced in two weeks. | |
| Also in demand was a letter sent to Mr Tallon by Princess Diana after the birth of Prince William. | Also in demand was a letter sent to Mr Tallon by Princess Diana after the birth of Prince William. |
| The princess wrote: "We are not sure at the moment what has hit us, except a very strong pair of lungs." | The princess wrote: "We are not sure at the moment what has hit us, except a very strong pair of lungs." |
| That sold for £5,000 to a telephone bidder. | That sold for £5,000 to a telephone bidder. |
| The auction is an intimate look into Mr Tallon's life as a royal insider. He joined the royal household aged 15, and kept every thank-you letter, Christmas card and invitation he received. | The auction is an intimate look into Mr Tallon's life as a royal insider. He joined the royal household aged 15, and kept every thank-you letter, Christmas card and invitation he received. |
| He never spoke publicly about the royals, and turned down requests to write a book or be interviewed. He died last November aged 72. | He never spoke publicly about the royals, and turned down requests to write a book or be interviewed. He died last November aged 72. |
| Janet Canon, of Reeman Dansie, said bidders had flown in from overseas, particularly from the United States and Canada. | |
| A Buckingham Palace spokesman would not comment on the sale. | A Buckingham Palace spokesman would not comment on the sale. |