Latest news with #HansonsAuctioneers
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Royal ring bought at Leicester charity shop could fetch £5k
A rare ring made to commemorate the death of a Royal princess, which was picked up in a charity shop for £15, is expected to sell for up to £5, mourning ring was commissioned following the death of Princess Amelia, the youngest daughter of King George III, in V, her brother, commissioned 52 of the rings and distributed them among family and close friends after her funeral in of the rings, purchased in a Leicester charity shop, is expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 at auction. Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said he was "stunned" by the discovery which he described as "the most important" charity shop find he had heard of in a decade. It was brought to him by a client who purchased it in a charity shop, unaware of its historical Amelia died on 2 November 1810, aged 27, having battled ring bears the words "remember me" after the princess reportedly pressed a ring into her father, King George III's hands, on her death bed, whilst she whispered those Hanson said: "This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets."It's not just the monetary value - it's the emotion, history and humanity behind this ring that truly moves you."
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Rare royal mourning ring commissioned by King George IV bought in charity shop for just £15 – here's what it's worth
KING'S JEWEL Rare royal mourning ring commissioned by King George IV bought in charity shop for just £15 – here's what it's worth Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RARE mourning ring commissioned by King George IV has been found in a charity shop – and snapped up for just £15. The gold band, engraved with the touching words 'Remember me', was created to honour the death of Princess Amelia, youngest daughter of King George III. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 A rare royal mourning ring worth thousands of pounds which is up for auction after being bought from a charity shop in Leicester for just £15 Credit: PA 5 A matching mourning ring was later bought by Queen Mary in 1935. Back in 1810, each ring cost 58 shillings to make Credit: PA 5 Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: 'It's the most important charity shop find I've heard about in a decade." Credit: PA The historic piece was discovered in a charity shop in Leicester and is now set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers, where it could fetch between £3,000 and £5,000. Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: 'It's the most important charity shop find I've heard about in a decade.' The unsuspecting buyer had picked up the ring from a local shop, unaware of its royal connection. Mr Hanson recalled: 'I was stunned and dazzled. From a simple box emerged a piece of deeply personal Royal history – commissioned by the Royal family itself to honour a lost loved one.' Princess Amelia was born on 7 August 1783 and died aged 27 in 1810 after a long battle with tuberculosis. Her death is thought to have devastated King George III, accelerating his mental decline. She was believed to be his favourite child. The ring, crafted by top royal jewellers Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, was one of only 52 made on the orders of the Prince Regent – who later became King George IV. They were handed out to close family and friends after her funeral in Windsor. 'The white enamel used in the ring denotes that Amelia was unmarried at the time of her death,' Mr Hanson said. 'White enamel symbolised purity and innocence in mourning jewellery, particularly for those who died young or unmarried. The Enchanting Jewels of Princess Diana: A Royal Legacy Unveiled "It contrasts with the more commonly used black enamel, which signified general mourning.' In a final act of love, Princess Amelia is said to have pressed a ring containing a lock of her hair into her father's hand as she lay dying, whispering the words now inscribed on the newly discovered ring – 'remember me'. A matching mourning ring was later bought by Queen Mary in 1935. Back in 1810, each ring cost 58 shillings to make. 'This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets,' said Mr Hanson. 'It's not just the monetary value – it's the emotion, history and humanity behind this ring that truly moves you.' Experts believe the ring could attract international interest when it goes under the hammer, thanks to its royal provenance and remarkable condition. Collectors of royal memorabilia are expected to watch the auction closely. Jewellery historian Alexandra Michell said: 'It's incredibly rare to find such a piece outside of established collections. "Mourning jewellery from this era, especially tied to a royal figure, is both historically and emotionally valuable.' The ring has now been placed in secure storage until its auction day to ensure its protection. It will feature as a highlight item in Hansons' Summer Fine Art Jewellery Auction. The auction will take place on 12 June 2025, and bids are expected to come in from across the UK and abroad. 5 The ring, crafted by top royal jewellers Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, was one of only 52 made on the orders of the Prince Regent Credit: Getty - Contributor 5 The historic piece was discovered in a charity shop in Leicester and is now set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers, Credit: De Agostini - Getty
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Rare royal mourning ring commissioned by King George IV bought in charity shop for just £15 – here's what it's worth
A RARE mourning ring commissioned by King George IV has been found in a charity shop – and snapped up for just £15. The gold band, engraved with the touching words 'Remember me', was created to honour the death of Princess Amelia, youngest daughter of King George III. 5 5 The historic piece was discovered in a charity shop in Leicester and is now set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers, where it could fetch between £3,000 and £5,000. Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: 'It's the most important charity shop find I've heard about in a decade.' The unsuspecting buyer had picked up the ring from a local shop, unaware of its royal connection. Mr Hanson recalled: 'I was stunned and dazzled. From a simple box emerged a piece of deeply personal Royal history – commissioned by the Royal family itself to honour a lost loved one.' Princess Amelia was born on 7 August 1783 and died aged 27 in 1810 after a long battle with tuberculosis. Her death is thought to have devastated King George III, accelerating his mental decline. She was believed to be his favourite child. The ring, crafted by top royal jewellers Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, was one of only 52 made on the orders of the Prince Regent – who later became King George IV. They were handed out to close family and friends after her funeral in Windsor. 'The white enamel used in the ring denotes that Amelia was unmarried at the time of her death,' Mr Hanson said. 'White enamel symbolised purity and innocence in mourning jewellery, particularly for those who died young or unmarried. "It contrasts with the more commonly used black enamel, which signified general mourning.' In a final act of love, Princess Amelia is said to have pressed a ring containing a lock of her hair into her father's hand as she lay dying, whispering the words now inscribed on the newly discovered ring – 'remember me'. A matching mourning ring was later bought by Queen Mary in 1935. Back in 1810, each ring cost 58 shillings to make. 'This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets,' said Mr Hanson. 'It's not just the monetary value – it's the emotion, history and humanity behind this ring that truly moves you.' Experts believe the ring could attract international interest when it goes under the hammer, thanks to its royal provenance and remarkable condition. Collectors of royal memorabilia are expected to watch the auction closely. Jewellery historian Alexandra Michell said: 'It's incredibly rare to find such a piece outside of established collections. "Mourning jewellery from this era, especially tied to a royal figure, is both historically and emotionally valuable.' The ring has now been placed in secure storage until its auction day to ensure its protection. It will feature as a highlight item in Hansons' Summer Fine Art Jewellery Auction. The auction will take place on 12 June 2025, and bids are expected to come in from across the UK and abroad. 5
Telegraph
24-03-2025
- Telegraph
Watch: Hammer-wielding thief raids Bargain Hunt star's auction house
A hammer-wielding thief stole more than £21,000 of valuables from a Bargain Hunt star's auction house. Shane O'Malley, 47, ram-raided Charles Hanson's saleroom in Etwall, Derbyshire, at 2.10am on April 18 last year. He and an accomplice broke into the Hansons Auctioneers building hours before a four-day auction of silver, jewellery and watches had been due to start. CCTV captured the crooks using hammers to smash glass display cases and cabinets as they hunted for treasures before fleeing with more than £21,000 worth of valuables. Police were alerted by the firm's alarm and officers found tyre tracks on the grass leading to the building with damage caused to a large window and shutter. A hammer and two blood spatters were found at the scene. A forensic check matched a blood sample to O'Malley. O'Malley, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, admitted burglary and was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Derby Crown Court on March 3. His accomplice has not been identified. Pc Benjamin Harvey, of Derbyshire police, said: 'This was clearly a targeted and pre-planned attack which led to over £21,000 worth of items being stolen. 'In addition to this, damage was caused to the premises and the cabinets inside – leaving the business even more out of pocket. 'O'Malley was traced after leaving his blood at the scene and has now paid the price for his involvement in this crime with a spell behind bars.' Speaking at the time, Mr Hanson, who is known for appearances on the BBC's Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip, told of his 'sadness' at the raid. He said: 'It's despicable and sad that my Etwall saleroom has been broken into but, thankfully, limited mess and disturbance has occurred. 'This was due to our security system and the police who were quickly on the scene.' Mr Hanson welcomed 'justice being done' but called for 'harsher' sentences for burglars. Speaking after the sentencing he said 'the emotional and financial impact of burglaries is significant'. He added: 'I would say that while justice has been done, I would like to see harsher sentences imposed for crimes of this nature.'
BBC News
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Tommy Cooper's last fez sells for £7k at auction
A fez owned by comedian and magician Tommy Cooper has sold at auction for £7,000 - more than twice its hat, believed to be the last one owned by the entertainer, was one of eight items of Cooper memorabilia that went under the hammer at The Woburn in Bedfordshire on vendor Clive Greeenaway - who is a Cooper impersonator - said he was given the fez by the comedian's wife Butler, from Hansons Auctioneers, said "it was the fez that made the show". The hat - an iconic feature of Cooper's performances - was estimated to fetch £2,000-£3, Butler said Mr Greenaway would use the proceeds of the sale to fund his laughter yoga sessions, which would involve training carers at a children's hospice and in the NHS."So [it's] full circle for Tommy - his fez has then gone to make people laugh," she told BBC Three Counties Radio. The other items being auctioned included an evening dress suit Cooper wore to meet Elizabeth II in 1977 - complete with a letter of authenticity from his daughter Vicki - a set from his famous bottle-glass-glass-bottle trick and his classic magic Butler said the "bidding was fierce" but that Mr Greenaway "had people rolling about laughing" during the prop comedian was born in Caerphilly, Wales, and was in the Armed Forces during World War became a familiar face on tour and on television - with his catchphrase "just like that".Cooper died after suffering a heart attack during a live TV broadcast at Her Majesty's Theatre in London in April 1984, aged 63. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
