Sale of the century as aristocrats auction heirlooms
Heirlooms belonging to the Marquesses of Londonderry and the Barons Raglan are to go under the hammer in a sale which lays bare the changing fortunes of the country's aristocracy
The 1st Baron Raglan, Lord Fitzroy Somerset (left) and his ancestral home Cefntilla (left, above) and the 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, Lord Castlereagh and Wynyard Park
In their heyday in the 19th century, they bestrode the country as two of the wealthiest, most powerful and most influential families in the land.
However, the years since have not been so kind on the Marquesses of Londonderry and the Barons Raglan, who have both seen their fortunes somewhat diminished. Now, in an astonishing auction which lays bare the changing fortunes of the country's aristocracy, the families are selling their heirlooms.
The combined sale – featuring memorabilia from the Charge of the Light Brigade, a gift from a Tsar and a lock of hair from the Duke of Wellington – is estimated to fetch £1.50 GBP million.
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