A teddy bear car mascot given to the young Prince Bertie (later George VI) by his Australian lover will sell at Hansons Auctioneers on June 27 in Derbyshire, UK.
 Bertie was dissuaded from his love affair by King George V making him Duke of York |
The young Prince Albert Edward (better known as Bertie) was given the teddy bear mascot by Sheila Chisholm of Sydney, after she visited England as the wife of Lord Loughborough. It is now valued at up to ?�5,000 ($8,411).
The future king become instantly besotted with Sheila, as did many other high society men of the day.
The provenance of the piece is astonishing, as it is mentioned in a letter written by Bertie to Sheila from Balmoral Castle in 1921:
"'My dearest Sheila', I am sorry to hear you say you have no plans for returning to England yet. We are all waiting patiently for you. I often think of the old days in 1919 they seem a very very long way away now but hold many memories.
"Your baby bear mascot is still on the car, guiding me straight as before!! Do please write again soon, and tell me more about yourself as you know how I want to know. Again so many thanks for your letter. Ever yours very sincerely Albert"
Auctioneer Charles Hanson commented: "The liaison between Bertie and 'my dearest Sheila' caused King George V apoplexy, with the King offering Bertie the title of Duke of York if he promised never to see his lady love again."
Prince Albert was subsequently created Duke of York and married the more fitting Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923. Following the abdication of King Edward VIII, he became King George VI from 1936-1952.
Sheila would go on to marry Prince Dmitri Alexandrovich Romanov of Russia following her divorce from Lord Loughborough.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has some superb royal memorabilia for sale.
