King's mistress Lily Langtry photographs to auction

A photograph album containing an array of individually signed snaps of Lillie (Lily) Langtry - one time mistress of King Edward VII - is to auction at Doyle auction house in New York on April 23.


Langtry posing with a parasol

A $10,500 estimate has been placed on the album, which is bursting with publicity shots of the actress and socialite, who embarked upon a three year affair with the future king of England, Edward VII, after meeting him at a dinner party in the 1870s.

Langtry can be seen sporting a variety of outfits in the pictures, including a beautiful Japanese kimono. The photographs were taken several years after her affair with Edward had ended. They are offered from a private American collection.

King Edward married Queen Alexandra of Denmark in 1863, but is rumoured to have had multiple affairs throughout their marriage. Edward built Langtry a large house in Dorset, UK, which became the couple's private retreat. Oscar Wilde, a friend of Langtry's, visited the property, which is now Langtry Manor Hotel. The "King's Room" is used as the honeymoon suite.

Langtry died in Monte Carlo in 1929 aged 75.

We have a vast array of royal memorabilia currently in stock, including this Wallis Simpson autographed letter.

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