Shropshire Star

Notebooks containing Princess Margaret’s measurements up for auction

The undated measurements were recorded for a haute couture design house, Norman Hartnell.

Published

Notebooks containing Princess Margaret’s measurements taken during dress fittings are going under the hammer.

The undated measurements were recorded for haute couture design house Norman Hartnell.

They are being sold by a former assistant to Margaret Mayo, the woman who conducted the fittings for the Queen’s younger sister.

Princess Margaret’s measurements (Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers)

“Despite the long hours and low wage, I enjoyed the role and the labour of love that went into the garments,” the former assistant, who is not being named, said.

“The skills I learnt have stayed with me my whole life. To this day I still wear a tailoring thimble to sew, which back then had to be worn at all times.”

Colour sketches of designs for the Queen Mother (Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers)

The two notebooks, which also contain measurements of several members of the aristocracy, are being sold with a £90 guide price. Also included in the Objects Of Desire sale at Sworders, in Essex, on October 18, are five colour sketches of designs for the Queen Mother.

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