War-time leader’s items set to spark bidding war
Sir Winston Churchill’s slippers to go on sale
A bidding war is expected as property once owned by Sir Winston Churchill goes on sale.
A pair of slippers owned by the war-time leader – often hailed as ‘the greatest Briton’ – are being sold by Wisborough Green auction house Bellmans.
The monogrammed midnight blue velvet evening slippers, pictured right, date from the 1950s and are expected to sell for up to £15,000.
They are being offered for sale along with a monogrammed brandy balloon, dated around 1960, which is expected to go for between £7,000 and £10,000.
Both were sold for the first time by Churchill’s family in a ‘Political Sale’ at Sotheby’s in 1998, where the present owner bought them.
He said: “I have always been a huge admirer of Sir Winston Churchill and when Sotheby’s held their first political sale in 1998, I couldn’t resist bidding for a couple of lots.
“I put in successful bids for his slippers and the brandy balloon and it was a remarkable feeling to hold them in my hands after the auction.
“Although I am sad to part with them now, I hope that they will be bought by someone who cherishes these items as much as I did.
“I often imagined the great man sitting in his chair with these slippers on and this very glass filled with brandy in his hand. You can’t really beat that.”
Experts said anything with a direct link to the man who led Britain to victory in the Second World War usually results in a bidding war, no matter what the item may be.
Julian Dineen, specialist in charge of the sale, said: “We are delighted to be offering these two lots for sale which once belonged to Sir Winston Churchill.
“Both his paintings and personal property have risen considerably since that Political Sale in the late 1990s.
“It is only the second opportunity to acquire these wonderful Churchilliana and we therefore expect there to be significant interest.”
The auction will take place on Tuesday March 9 – subject to government guidelines.
Bellmans was founded in 1989 and over the years has grown to become one of the largest auction houses in the south of England.
Visit www.bellmans.co.uk for more information about the auction house.
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Burger restaurant chain Five Guys has announced plans to open in Chichester.
Five Guys will open a restaurant at Chichester Gate Leisure Park in March.
The American food chain, known for its burgers, fries and milkshakes, has two premises in Brighton and one in Crawley.
Mayor of Chichester, Richard Plowman, said: “It is great that Five Guys have decided to come to Chichester and will greatly help to revitalise Chichester Gate.
“Burgers have come a long way since I was a lad and I am sure they will do well.”