|
Sun, 3rd Aug 2008  London: Queen Victoria must be turning in her grave knowing that her undergarments have been auctioned, revealing her ample measurements.
A pair of her bloomers, a chemise and a nightdress went under the hammer at Mackworth in Derby for £ 13,500 ($27,000).
The cotton bloomers are monogrammed with a VR (Victoria Regina) and attracted bids from as far as Brazil, Russia, Hong Kong and New York. They finally went to a lady from Canada for £ 4,500, according to auctioneer Charles Hanson.
A London collector snapped up Queen Victoria's chemise for £ 3,800. Her nightdress sold for £ 5,200 to an American collector.
"The atmosphere was electric and I am delighted that Victoria has been given a good send-off," Hanson told The Guardian.
The sizes of the garments gave an indication of her majesty's measurements. For instance, her bloomers, dating back to the 1880s, measure 50 inches at the waist. The chemise has a 66-inch bust. The nightdress is only 50 inches long, suggesting she was as short as she was stout.
Queen Victoria's underwear had been kept by one of her ladies-in-waiting and was sold by a family from Lincolnshire, who are said to be "delighted" with the outcome.  | 
