Auction results prove Princess Diana remains huge attraction
The royal connection to greeting cards has been reaffirmed with the results of the latest auction as Prince Harry’s handmade design fetched £1,300 – and a single Andrew Brownsword one sent by Princess Diana went for more than twice its estimate.
The hammer came down on the Dino greeting card design from the renowned publisher at £1,100 at Dominic Winters Auctioneers on Wednesday, 22 November, when it had been valued at £300-£500, while Diana’s youngest son’s childhood creation hit the middle of its £1,000-£1,500 expectation.
“I’m always surprised at how well these cards hold their value no matter how many come into the market,” auctioneer Chris Albury told PG Buzz after the Photographs, Autographs & Historic Documents, Royalty, Film & Sports Memorabilia sale in Gloucestershire.
Surprises of the day were the trio of bought gift tags, one marked Popprint Products, that Princess Diana used to send presents to Nicki which made almost triple the £300-£500 estimate at £1,300, and the 1953 Coronation year Christmas card with a photograph of the-then Queen Elizabeth II and her consort Prince Philip – valued at £200-£300 but the hammer came down at an amazing £1,600.
As well as the Duke Of Sussex’s card, there were two lots of single Andrew Brownsword humour designs sent by Diana, and humorous cards from Paperlink, The Dog’s Doodahs/Funkypigeon.com, Carlton Cards, Moonpig.com, Camden Graphics, Bill Kimpton/Rainbow Cards, Andrew Brownsword, and Quitting Hollywood sent by the Duchess Of York.
The cards and gift tags come from the personal collection of the recipient, addressed as both Nicki and Nickie, who remained anonymous as “they feel a bit guilty about selling these personal items”, Chris explained.
While the Sarah Ferguson collection of cards only made £100, there was also a letter from the Princess Of Wales, sent in 1990, that was valued at £700-£1,000 but fetched £2,100.
Chris added: “Diana’s hold over collectors continues and I was particularly pleased with the signed birthday cards and the gift tags suggesting people will pay more for something unique and directly personal to Diana even if they don’t know who the recipient is. The gift tags work out at £433 each so almost the same as a Christmas card, and highlights the demand for uniqueness.
“Of all of the Diana cards the handmade card was my favourite and bidders had to take this on trust that it really was made by Prince Harry and Diana and not just any old boy called Harry! Its authenticity was made apparent by being offered with all the other cards to the anonymous Nicki, clearly a good friend and acquaintance of Diana and Charles.
“I thought the market for the Elizabeth II and Philip ones was strong and I was bowled over by the £1,600 price for the one from the Coronation year. Those two cards mentioned shows there is more intense interest for cards from significant years.
“All in all, we and the vendors are very happy with the results and will continue to offer good royalty cards and signed material that comes our way.”
