Kiltoom auctioneer oversees sale of Princess Diana collection items
A Kiltoom auctioneer to the stars has hailed the results of a recent auction of significant items from Princess Diana's life as proof that she remains one of the world’s most beloved and inspiring cultural figures.
Martin Nolan, originally from Hodson Bay, is the co-founder and executive director of LA-based Julien’s Auctions, which last month sold over 200 lots from 'Princess Diana's Elegance & Royal Collection' at an exclusive presentation held at the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel. A whopping $5.5 million was raised in total from the sale of Princess Diana's clothing and accessories as well as items from other significant royal figures.
This auction was the largest collection of Princess Diana's “most famous and photographed gowns, suits, shoes, handbags, and accessories” assembled in over 25 years.
Some of Princess Diana's most iconic and memorable gowns sold for eye-watering figures, and include:
- Victor Edelstein Magenta Silk and Lace Flamenco Style Evening Dress Worn in 1987, sold for $910,000.
- Murray Arbeid Midnight Blue Strapless Tulle Diamante Star Gown Worn to the 1986 Phantom of the Opera Premier, sold for $780,000.
- Catherine Walker Black Velvet Victorian Revival Evening Gown designed for Diana (not photographed in public), sold for $571,500.
- Catherine Walker The Chelsea Design Company Floral Dress Worn in 1988, in 1991, and in 1992 in London, sold for $444,500.
- Kurt Geiger Emerald Green Satin Evening Pumps Worn in 1993 to a State Banquet at the Dorchester Hotel in London Reigned, sold for $390,000, 195 times the estimate.
- Catherine Walker Navy Blue Silk Velvet Cocktail Dress, sold for $381,000, 38 times the estimate.
The top 15 lots were sold to Renae Plant, the President of The Princess & The Platypus Foundation and the owner of The Princess Diana Museum in Los Angeles. Plant is considered the world's largest collector of Princess Diana's most prominent items.
Some select items auctioned, including Diana’s red Charles Jourdan burgundy leather purse ($12,700), red Rayne leather heels with cap toes ($19,050) and a Charles Jourdan burgundy black patent leather handbag ($65,000), will benefit Muscular Dystrophy UK, the leading charity for over 110,000 people in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle-wasting and weakening conditions.
Other items auctioned from the wider royal collection included a collection of Princess Diana’s poignant letters, photos signed with personal messages, holiday cards, and historic items from Royal Fashion trend setters who came before her such as The Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson, The Duke of Windsor, and Queen Victoria.
Auctioneer Martin Nolan said: “The phenomenal results of [last month's] historic auction held just a few days before Princess Diana’s birthday demonstrates why Diana is and always will remain one of the world’s most beloved and inspiring cultural figures.
“These exquisite garments, shoes and accessories made not only fashion statements but also displayed her warmth and humanity that made Diana the most popular and greatest Royal style icon of all time.”
Before the auction, Nolan noted that items related to Princess Diana are constantly going up in value, and that items that were purchased for tens of thousands of dollars ten years ago, are now being sold for hundreds of thousands.
“Like Marilyn Monroe, Diana's value will continue to increase. She is such an important figure, a humanitarian, a philanthropist, she was the 'People's Princess,” explained Nolan.