Saturday 19 September 2020

Remembering: The Sale of the Estate of Robert Hardy ( "Siegrified" in ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL ) CBE on 8th March 2018 // In 2015: Veteran actor Robert Hardy is selling his enormous collection of antiques in a £100,000 auction after deciding to downsize his home.




Churchill's hat, Siegfried Farnon's brass plaque, and a painting of himself as Prince Albert on horseback: Fascinating mementoes of actor Robert Hardy's life are revealed as his estate goes up for sale

 

The contents of the estate of British acting royalty, the late Robert Hardy, have gone up for sale

They include mementos from legendary actor's most well known theatre, film and TV roles during his career

Hardy, who starred as Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter films, kept hold of the items until his death last year

There's 150 lots, which also features paintings, furniture and glassware, with an estimated value of £50,000

 

By ANTHONY JOSEPH FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 12:50, 6 March 2018 | UPDATED: 16:06, 6 March 2018

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5468081/Robert-Hardys-estate-goes-sale.html

 

The contents of the estate of British acting royalty, the late Robert Hardy, have gone up for sale.

 

They include mementos from the legendary actor's most well known theatre, film and TV roles during his 60 year career.

 

Hardy, who starred as Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter films, kept hold of the items until his death, aged 91, in August last year.

 

In total, there are 150 lots in the sale, which also features his paintings, furniture and glassware, with an estimated value of £50,000.

 

The contents of the estate of British acting royalty, the late Robert Hardy (pictured in Harry Potter as Cornelius Fudge), have gone up for sale            +13

The contents of the estate of British acting royalty, the late Robert Hardy (pictured in Harry Potter as Cornelius Fudge), have gone up for sale

 


The original brass name plaque which was attached to to railings outside the fictional vets on the series All Creatures Great and Small. Estimated £700-£1,000

 

Hardy played eccentric veterinary surgeon Siegfried Farnon in the popular BBC family show All Creatures Great and Small which ran from 1978 to 1990.

 

His character's name plaque which was attached to the fictional veterinary practice Skeldale House is tipped to sell for £1,000.

 

After he delivered a BAFTA-winning performance as Winston Churchill in the 1981 ITV drama series Churchill: The Wilderness Years, a close family member of the former prime minister gave him his cream stetson hat marked with the initials 'WSC'.

The hat, which Hardy often wore at special events and lectures, is expected to fetch £5,000.


 

A navy and white spotted bow tie formerly owned and worn by Churchill has an estimate of £600.

 

A replica 28ins sword Hardy wielded as Henry V in the 1960 TV drama series An Age Of Kings which he starred in alongside Sir Sean Connery and Dame Judi Dench is tipped to sell for £600.

 

His appearance in the drama sparked an interest in medieval military history and he enjoyed a second career as a historian and expert on the longbow.

 

He published two books on the subject and was one of the experts consulted during the raising of Henry VIII's flagship, Mary Rose. Nine of his longbows feature in the sale which are each valued at £400.

 

A portrait of his great-great grandfather Robert Hardy, dating from 1780, is expected to fetch £1,500. His imposing 8ft by 9ft George III mahogany bookcase is valued at £3,000.

 

Some of the contents of Hardy's estate were previously sold in 2015 and following his death auctioneer Dominic Winter have been entrusted with a second sale.

 

Colin Meays, specialist at Dominic Winter, of Cirencester, Gloucs, said: 'It has been fascinating to be able to see the personal collection of such a well-known figure, and obtain a glimpse into his family's interesting and historical past.

 

The sale features mementos from the legendary actor's most well known theatre, film and TV roles during his 60 year career. Hardy, who starred as Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter films, kept hold of the items until his death aged 91 in August last year

 

'Robert was so much more than just an actor, he had many interests and talents, and this comes across in the items being offered for sale.

 

'When the items are offered for sale next week, fans will have the opportunity to be future custodians of some of Robert Hardy's varied collection.

 

'He was an extremely popular and well-loved figure in both the acting, archery and medieval military history worlds.

 

'In 2015 Robert moved house and a successful sale was held which included books, furniture, paintings and theatre memorabilia.

 

'The actor was a true gentleman of the old school, and it was a pleasure to deal with him during the process of putting together the sale.

 

'It is with sadness that we now offer a second sale of items which belonged to Robert, a sale that has come about as a result of his death in August last year.

 

'Items of personal importance have been retained by the family and the decision to part with the various items in the auction has not been taken lightly by them. We are honoured to be entrusted with the sale a second time.'

 

The auction takes place on Thursday.



In 2015:

Veteran actor Robert Hardy is selling his enormous collection of antiques in a £100,000 auction after deciding to downsize his home.

 


By HUGO GYE FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 15:16 BST, 14 April 2015 | UPDATED: 15:30 BST, 14 April 2015

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3038468/Actor-Robert-Hardy-sells-antique-collection.html

 

The star, known for appearing in All Creatures Great and Small and playing Winston Churchill several times, is auctioning off more than 200 items he has collected over his career.

 

Mr Hardy, 89, is a keen military historian who studied English with J.R.R. Tolkien and is now an expert on the medieval longbow.

 

One of the most unusual items featured in the auction of his possessions is a hand-painted limewood diorama depicted the progress of the Battle of Agincourt in 3D.

 

The piece was created by artist L.M. Rendall in the 1960s after being commissioned by Mr Hardy himself, and has an estimate of £4,000 to £6,000.

 

There is also a longbow made from yew with a mother-of-pearl handle, as well as a portrait of Mr Hardy holding the bow, which is set to sell for up to £2,000.

 

The actor is also selling paintings, furniture, swords, flintlock rifles, silverware and a fine collection of crystal chandeliers.

 

Dozens of books, some dating back to the 17th century, are included in the auction which is set to take place this Saturday.

 

A total of 238 lots are being sold by Dominic Winter auctioneers at its saleroom in South Cerney, Gloucestershire.

 

Mr Hardy, who lives in the Cotswolds, said that he was sad to sell his collection.

 

'Downsizing and losing a great part of a treasured library makes for sadness,' he said.

 

'Entrusting it all to Dominic Winter and Co has taken away much of the pain, and through them I wish anyone who comes to possess anything that was mine as much joy and pleasure as it has given me through the years.'


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