British royal auction nets nearly $900,000

LONDON, July 5 (UPI) -- A collection of letters, photographs and artifacts related to the British royal family sold for nearly $900,000 Saturday, an auction house says.

The Reeman Dansie auction house said the auction, which included items that had belonged to former royal servant William Tallon, drew nearly 400 people in person and another 1,000 potential bidders online and by telephone, the BBC reported.

When the auction finally ended after 10 1/2 hours Saturday, auctioneer James Grinter had sold the historical items for a total of nearly $900,000.

The highest price was for a portrait of Queen Elizabeth, which sold for nearly $60,000.

The items were placed up for bid after Tallon died last November, after serving the royal family for 51 years.

Also included in the auction was a letter written by Elizabeth to Tallon, who earned the moniker Backstairs Billy while with the royal family. The letter, which recommended gin be taken on a royal trip, sold for nearly $32,000, The Times of London reported.