WILLIAM TALLON COLLECTION - LOT 323 SILVER INKWELL "Backstairs Billy" - Queen Mothers Loyal Butler Start Price GBP 395.00 Current Price GBP 395.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, July 21, 2008 End Time Sunday, July 27, 2008 Location Tiverton See more about 'WILLIAM TALLON COLLECTION - LOT 323 SILVER INKWELL' Description apeake Store WILLIAM TALLON COLLECTION - LOT 323 - SOLID SILVER INKWELL William Tallon, known as Backstairs Billy, served the Queen Mother for 52 years. Following his death last year, some 700 items given to him by the queen mother, members of the royal family, and by other famous admirers where auctioned by Reeman Dansie Auctions in Colchester, Essex on 5th July 2008. The Queen Mother and William Tallon became very close over the years. Not every servant got to dance with their royal employer. The collection included many letters of gratitude from the Queen Mother, Diana Princess of Wales, Prince Charles, The Queen and many many others. His bouffant hairstyle became a familiar sight on Horseguards Parade, where William Tallon walked the Queen Mother’s corgis. Over half a century of loyal service, Mr Tallon, who was known as Backstairs Billy, amassed a treasure trove of royal memorabilia. A year after his death at 72, his collection is expected to fetch more than £500,000, considerably more than what he would have earned during his 52 years as the Queen Mother’s favourite page & butler. The hoard in his one-bedroom grace-and-favour apartment provided by the Duchy of Cornwall includes notes and photographs from leading members of the Royal Family, and souvenirs of his long service, including a silver box engraved with the initials ER, given to him by the Queen as a memento of his boss after her death in 2002. Mr Tallon, whose official title was Steward and Page of the Backstairs, was the son of a Coventry shopkeeper. He built up his collection with the assistance of his long-term partner, Reg Wilcock, the Queen Mother’s Deputy Steward and Page of the Presence. James Grinter, the auctioneer, said: “We’ve had worldwide interest and we’ve even got collectors travelling from America especially for the sale.” After Prince William’s birth, the Princess wrote again saying: “We are not sure at the moment what has hit us, except a very strong pair of lungs! Both parents are making little sense, we just seem to spend most of our time gazing at this tiny person.” Mr Tallon was so proud of his royal service that he never gave any memento away. The bidding at the auction reached fever pitch on most items, especially any items with royal signitures, crests etc, and the most popular items sold for 8-10 times their estimates. DESCRIPTION Large Edwardian Solid Silver Inkwell with shaped sides and hinged lid - Belonging to William Tallon (The Queen Mothers Loyal Butler) - Hallmark John Heath & John Middleton - London 1901 - 8cm x 8cm x 8cm. Also Included 1 x Auction Catalogue as provenance of Royal History. BUY IT NOW £395 (or BEST OFFER)   Bid Early on this item, as similar items sold for between £3250 - £6500 at the auction, and I have already been contacted by a number of keen collectors. Examples of other silver item prices from the auction LOT 262 Royal Presentation Silver Box - Hammer Price £6500 (inc Auction Fees) LOT 263 Royal Presentation Silver Snuff Box - Hammer Price £3600  (inc Auction Fees) LOT 264 Royal Presentation Silver Box - Hammer Price £3250  (inc Auction Fees) VISIT MY STORE FOR SIMILAR ITEMS   VISIT MY STORE FOR SIMILAR ITEMS Place a Bid!