A collection of memorabilia relating to the French royal family goes under the hammer in a sale of historic souvenirs to be held by Coutau-Bégarie at Drouot in Paris on February 22.
Formed over a 40-year period by an American textile specialist living in Paris, the collection features around 200 items including portraits, correspondence, books, documents and other objects relating to the Bourbon dynasty. Among them are personal items belonging to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette including a silk shirt worn by Louis during the early days of his imprisonment in the Temple, which is estimated at €6000-8000, and a fichu of Alençon lace (above) belonging to Marie Antoinette guided at €3000-5000.