On January 20 the auctioneers will sell 120 lots from the Café Royal in their Knightsbridge salerooms. The famous Regent Street restaurant was established in 1865 by Parisian wine Merchant Daniel Nicolas, who arrived on the run from a prison sentence for bankruptcy with just £5 in his pocket.
It was a celebrity haunt from the outset and its roll-call of visitors includes film stars, politicians, writers, artists and royalty from Oscar Wilde and Winston Churchill to Mick Jagger and Princess Diana.
But it is to be turned into a five star hotel and will finally close its doors on December 22.
Bonhams will offer the contents without reserve. Humidors and brandy caskets from the cellars accompany Venetian chandeliers from the Napoleon suite and the original boxing ring used for the black tie boxing matches.
The sale will go on view on December 21 and 22.
