A DRIVING license belonging to Queen Elizabeth II has fetched thousands of pounds after going under the hammer at a Colchester auction house.
Reeman Dansie, on the Severalls Business Park, in Wyncolls Road, hosted its Royalty, Fine Art & Antiques auction on Tuesday, featuring a variety of historic items.
The lots included Her Late Majesty’s “very rare” military provisional driving license, which she owned when she was serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.
The 1945 documentation was accompanied by a handwritten and typed account of her service, black and white photographs, and ephemera from her driving instructor.
The permit, which also featured an ‘Elizabeth’ signature penned in ink, described how the then 5ft 4inch-tall Princess had “blue eyes and light brown hair.”
The fascinating images depict the young royal driving with instructor Violet Wellesly MBE and working on trucks, and a visit from the King and Queen.
Before going under the hammer, the archive was expected to fetch about £2,000, but actually ended up selling for a whopping £6,800.
James Grinter, experienced auctioneer at Reeman Dansie, was entrusted with shifting the prized possessions, which were secured by English collectors.
He said: “We were delighted with the results. We had international interest which goes to show the enduring interest in the Royal family.
“It was very poignant following the death of the Queen that these items should come on the market and it was an honour to handle then.
“They did extremely well and attracted a lot of interest and we are lucky to be entrusted with selling these sorts of things.
“There were multiple bidders, particularly on the driving licence, which drew a lot of interest.”
Elsewhere in the auction, a lock of hair belonging to Emperor Napoleon I of France, encased in a gold locket, was snapped up for £4,600.
The unique glass-backed roundel of hair was engraved with “Buonaparte's hair cut from his head by Col.Dodgin 66th Regt. 5th May AD 1821.”
Remarkably, it had previously been sold to the vendor’s father at Reeman Dansie back in 1967 for just £14.
A plaster caster of Princess Diana’s hand was withdrawn from the auction.
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