Family heirlooms from the Marquesses of Londonderry and the Barons Raglan will be sold at Christie’s in London on May 22 and 23. The 500 lot sale features souvenirs of Wellington, Waterloo, the Crimea and works of art. There is memorabilia from the Charge of the Light Brigade, a gift from a Tsar and a lock of hair from the Duke of Wellington. The sale is estimated to bring in around £1.5 million.
The two most prominent members of both families were the Ist Baron Raglan, Lord FitzRoy Somerset, the commander of British troops during the Crimean War and Wellington’s right hand man and the 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, Lord Castlereagh, the early 19th century statesman who played a leading role in the defeat of Napoleon.
full length portrait of Castlereagh, after Sir Thomas Lawrence P.R.A (£5,000-8,000). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.
The field marshal’s baton that Raglan was awarded after his victory at Inkerman in the Crimea (£250,000-350,000). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.
A mahogany armchair by Holland and Sons, used by Wellington in his office at Horse Guards £4,000-6,000) Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.