The names Cartier and Paul Hubner of Augsburg guaranteed the quality of a lapel watch and parcel gilt cup, but their values were enhanced by the names of early 20th century celebrities when they were offered at a recent sale held by Sworders at Stansted Mountfitchet.
The c.1920 Art Deco platinum watch with back
case set with onyx and diamonds was signed to the silvered dial
Cartier, Paris, Breveté Sans Garantie du Gouvernement.
Equally important was the diamond-set monogram GM in
the onyx and diamond brooch.
This stood for Gertie Millar, the
Bradford-born, working-class girl who became one of the most famous
British actresses in the early 20th century. She was given the
brooch by the Earl of Dudley whom she married in 1924.
On her death in 1952 she left the watch to a
friend from her acting days and the recipient's daughter entered it
into the sale on December 4 where, estimated at £10,000-15,000, it
sold at £30,000.
Auctioneer Guy Schooling said later: "I
think the Gertie Millar connection was important. There was quite a
battle for it but the New York purchaser was determined to have
it."
Inscribed Cup
The c.1614 parcel gilt cup, 5½in (14cm) high
and weighing 5oz, was engraved to the bowl and to the underside
Lawrence of Arabia and R.B.L.L.D. June 21st 1933
from his Godfather T.E. Shaw, the reverse with facsimile
handwritingFor the Imp: belated but will not know about time
yet…TES.
The gift was indeed a little belated as
Ruthven Barry Llewelyn Davies was born on May 9, 1933 at a time
when Lawrence, who had adopted the name T.E. Shaw in a fairly
half-hearted attempt to stay out of the limelight, was travelling
on RAF business.
Estimated at £1000-1500 the cup sold at
£2000.
Commenting on the additional value of the
inscriptions, Mr Schooling said: "The cup was purchased by a
leading book dealer - enough said!"
The buyer's premium was 20%.
Follow us on:
