The Windsor Jewels Sale of 1987 — The Auction That Shocked the World

The Auction That Shocked the World — The Windsor Jewels Sale of 1987

In April 1987, Geneva became the stage for one of the most spectacular jewelry auctions of the twentieth century.

Sotheby’s was preparing to sell the legendary jewelry collection of Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor — the American woman for whom King Edward VIII gave up the British throne.

The collection had been estimated at approximately $7.5 million.

When the final hammer fell two days later, the total had reached an astonishing $50.3 million.

What made these jewels so extraordinary was not simply their diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and pearls. Almost every piece carried a personal story connected to Edward and Wallis — their love, their marriage, their travels, their private jokes, and their life away from the British royal family.

Among the most remarkable pieces were Wallis Simpson’s emerald engagement ring, engraved with a secret date; the Cartier bracelet featuring nine symbolic crosses; spectacular ruby creations by Van Cleef & Arpels; the legendary Cartier Panthère; the extraordinary Cartier Flamingo; and the famous Prince of Wales Feathers brooch.

And then there were the buyers.

Elizabeth Taylor participated in the auction by telephone from California, determined to acquire the Prince of Wales Feathers.

Calvin Klein bought several pieces for his wife, Kelly Klein, including a remarkable natural pearl necklace.

Jeweler Laurence Graff entered the bidding for some of the collection’s most valuable diamond pieces.

Representatives of European royal families, wealthy collectors, international dealers, and anonymous bidders filled the auction room.

But the story did not end when the Windsor jewels left Geneva.

Some of the pieces returned to the auction market decades later. The Cartier Panthère achieved another extraordinary price. The Cartier Flamingo eventually returned to the Cartier Collection. Other jewels disappeared into private collections, leaving their owners unknown.

In this video, we take you inside the legendary 1987 Windsor Jewels auction and explore the story behind the people, the jewels, the buyers, and the astonishing prices.

How did a collection estimated at $7.5 million become a $50.3 million sensation?

Why was Elizabeth Taylor determined to own the Prince of Wales Feathers?

What made the emerald engagement ring so personal?

Who bought the most important Windsor jewels?

And what happened to them after the most famous royal jewelry auction of the twentieth century?

This is the story of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, their extraordinary love affair, the jewels that documented their lives, and the auction that turned their private collection into one of the greatest legends in jewelry history.

Which piece would you have wanted to own — the Cartier Panthère, the Flamingo, the emerald engagement ring, or the Prince of Wales Feathers?

Tell us in the comments.

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