MOSCOW, October 2 (RIA Novosti) - A pair of bloomers which are over 100 years old and once belonged to Queen Victoria, the longest-reigning female monarch in British history, are being auctioned off at a guide price of £2,000, according to the British media.
The knickers are quite big in size – they have a 52-inch in waste (slightly over 130 centimeters, British size 36) and come with a 66-inch bust chemise. Both are embroidered with the monarch’s crest.
The 19th century pieces that once shared the monarch’s throne were gifted to a staff member at the Royal household by Her Imperial Majesty, the Queen-Empress herself as a gesture of thanks for a long period of service.
“This is definitely one of the strangest items I have ever had the opportunity to sell in my 40-odd years in the business,” the British media quotes auctioneer Michael Hogben as saying.
“The underwear was gifted to a member of staff for their good service. They were passed down through the generations, and they are in exquisite condition because they've spent the last 75 years in a drawer,” he added.
The bloomers are set to be sold by Westernhanger Auctioneers in Stamford, Kent, a week from Sunday.
"This really is a once in a blue moon sale. Things like this don't come around very often. It's amazing to think that this is something that once brushed the Royal rear," said Michael Hogben.
"If anybody was to buy them for their wife as a present, they might get into a bit of trouble. Queen Victoria was obviously a big lady, larger than life," he added.
Michael Hogben therefore thinks it would be better if the pieces become an exhibit in a museum, or part of a collection.
