A photograph of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor has been sold for
nearly £14,000.
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The black and white picture – which was sold during an auction of memorabilia belonging to the late comedian Bob Hope – was expected to fetch around £ 250, but a mystery bidder paid 50 times the reserve price at the sale.
Bob was given the photo in 1972, shortly before the Duke of Windsor – King Edward VIII – died in exile in Paris.
The 16in by 13in picture is signed: “To Bob Hope, from both is us. Wallis, Duchess of Windsor 1972.”
The Los Angeles auction was televised live and online, allowing people from around the world to participate. It raised £300,000, with all proceeds being donated to charities which Bob supported.
The Duke of Windsor and his American-born divorcee wife Wallis Simpson were exiled to France after the 1936 abdication crisis, when Edward gave up the throne after just 11 months of rule.
Edward relinquished the throne so he could marry Wallis, after it became clear that the prime ministers of his various realms were opposed to the relationship.
Among the other items sold was a desk which sat in Bob’s office for 50 years, a variety of hats he wore during his career and a handwritten letter from Bing Crosby.
