Royal uniforms at auction

Chorley’s auctioneers May auction included a selection of important military attire belonging to former British politician, Cecil Foljambe,

1st Earl of Liverpool (18461907), who was an MP for Nottinghamshire under the title of ‘The Lord Hawkesbury’ and later appointed Lord Steward in the Royal household, by HM King Edward VII (18411910) in 1905.

Born at Osberton Hall in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, Foljambe served in the

Royal Navy from 1861-1870 documenting his voyages in journals and capturing them in sketches. His postings were on HMS Victory, HMS Defence, HMS Curacoa among others. The first lot was a

Naval Captain’s full-dress jacket and waistcoat, the wool and linen jacket with brass buttons, lace cuffs and heavy gold braid, the waistcoat with matching buttons and trim. This design first introduced in 1767, together with an Ede, Son & Ravenscroft cardboard box. It hammered for a modest £320 (plus BP of 28.2%).

There was also a Naval court coat of navy wool and red linen lining with brass buttons bearing the motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ together with the Royal crown over a coat of arms, the inside collar inked ‘The Earl Lord Hawkesbury’. This sold for £190.

Next was a bonnet and plumes, bearing the badge for The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. Cecil George Savile Foljambe (1846-1907) was ennobled firstly as Baron Hawkesbury, subsequently as Viscount Hawkesbury and finally as the Earl of Liverpool. It hammered for £140.

Lastly, and the one that caught the bidders’ eye was a British Royal Household

Court suit with waistcoat and breeches together with two Court chapeau-bras with ostrich trim, court cuffs, collars, spurs, crepe veil, another waistcoat and breeches, a scarlet sash with tassels, aiguillette, etc. Against an estimate of £200£300, this went for £2,000.

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