Christie’s will offer The Raglan Collection: Waterloo, Wellington and The Crimea at the South Kensington saleroom, 85 Old Brompton Road. This private collection from Cefntilla Court, Monmouthshire – the ancestral home of the Barons Raglan since 1855 – includes important historical medals, arms and armour, militaria, pictures, furniture, silver, books, Indian weapons and works of art, as well as a selection of enthnographic art. The collection is being sold by order of the Executors of Fitzroy John Somerset, 5th Baron Raglan (great-great-grandson of the 1st Baron Raglan). The collection comprises over 300 lots and is expected to realize in excess of £750,000.
Amelia Elborne, Specialist and Head of Sale commented, “FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan, was one of the most well-known British soldiers of the early 19th century. His career spanned service at the right hand of Britain’s greatest soldier, the first Duke of Wellington for almost 40 years, during the Peninsular War, at Waterloo, and as Private Secretary, through to his command of British forces in The Crimean War – Raglan’s legacy is of foremost importance. This fascinating collection chronicles Lord Raglan’s role in some of the most famous battles in British history, as well as featuring more personal items stemming from his relationship with ‘the Iron Duke’ and the family he created with his wife, Lady Emily Wellesley-Pole, Wellington’s favourite niece. The collection comes to auction from Cefntilla Court, the Monmouthshire home which was given by a group of admirers to the son of Lord Raglan after the Field Marshal’s death in June 1855 – before what would eventually be victory in The Crimea. The selection on offer has been collected by the 1st Baron Raglan as well as by his descendants – almost all military men themselves – including the 3rd Baron Raglan, a politician and governor of the Isle of Man, and the 4th Baron Raglan, an anthropologist and collector.”