Bonhams announced the first ever sale of jewellery from the collection of internationally renowned bestselling novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE.

Selected Jewels from the Collection of Barbara Taylor Bradford includes 40 pieces given to the author during her 49-year-long marriage to her film and TV producer husband Robert Bradford.  Key pieces include a 14 carat cushion-shape diamond single stone ring, an antique sapphire and diamond brooch, a pair of cultured pearl and diamond earclips and an 18 carat sapphire ring.

The collection will travel around the world and be on pre-sale display in October in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and then will move to Hong Kong on 20th November prior to its sale at Bonhams New Bond Street headquarters in London on Thursday 5th December 2013.

Matthew Girling, Bonhams CEO and International Head of Jewellery, comments: “We are delighted and honoured to be selling such a fabulous collection from this distinguished author known internationally for her outstanding contribution to literature. For anyone who loves her work, here is a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy something intensely personal, owned and loved by Barbara Taylor Bradford.”

Many of the pieces in the collection will be accompanied by a short description of its history compiled by the author, including personal details such as when she was given them and why.

Awarded an O.B.E (Order of the British Empire) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her services to literature in 2007, Barbara Taylor Bradford is a worldwide publishing phenomenon.  The glamorous author has sold over 88 million books in over 40 languages and in more than 90 countries to date and many of her books have been made into movies and TV mini-series.  Her first novel, A Woman of Substance, ranks among the top ten bestselling fiction books of all time with more than 32 million copies sold.   

Barbara Taylor Bradford says: “I’ve been married to my husband Robert (Bob) Bradford for 50 years this December and he is a very generous man.  He has always presented me with an exquisite piece of jewellery for every wedding anniversary, my birthdays, at Christmas and also whenever I’ve finished a new book or if he’s just made a movie of one of them.  I know he won’t be able to resist picking out a jewel to celebrate our Golden Wedding anniversary on 24th December this year!” 

The author first received lovely jewellery from her late father, Winston Taylor, when she was a young woman, including opal and diamond earrings, a matching ring, a string of pearls and pearl earrings to name just a few pieces.

“Bob took over from Winston Taylor with the same love of jewellery, mainly to put on me!” adds Barbara.

The bestselling novelist made the recent decision to review all of her jewellery, including many beautiful brooches, bracelets and rings she has not worn for some time alongside her current favourites that she wears frequently.

 “I took my jewellery out of the safe and studied every item and decided I would auction a number of pieces with Bonhams. 

“I thought how silly it was to have jewels in a safe that I only wear occasionally.  Beautiful things need to be on display and admired.  I want someone else to own and wear these pieces I have cherished and enjoyed.  I want the jewellery to live again.”

Among the most notable pieces are:

A cushion-shape diamond single-stone ring, weighing 14.07 carats, with a GIA certificate stating it is G colour, VS1 clarity. David Morris, London. Estimate $500,000-700,000 (£330,000-£460,000)An antique sapphire and diamond brooch.  S J Phillips, London. Estimate: $100,000-150,000 (£66,000-£98,000)A cushion-shape sapphire ring, weighing 18.37 carats with a Gubelin certificate stating the stone is of Burmese origin. Harry Winston, New York.Estimate: $150,000-200,000 (£98,000-£131,000)A pair of cultured pearl and diamond earclips. Harry Winston, New York. Estimate: $80,000-120,000 (£53,000-£79,000)A pair of old cut fancy yellow diamond single-stone earrings.  David Morris, London. Estimate: $80,000-100,000 (£53,000-£66,000)A coral and diamond ‘Rose de Noël’ brooch and earclip suite. Van Cleef&Arpels, New York. Estimate: $20,000-30,000 (£13,000-£20,000)

Barbara sums up: “Every piece of jewellery in the auction was purchased by my darling husband.  When I reviewed my collection, what really struck me is that it reveals the story of my marriage to Bob, a wonderfully romantic love affair which has lasted for 50 years. I appreciate what a charmed life we have together, along with very successful careers. I write the books, he makes the movies. It's been quite an adventure and still is! I really want these stunning pieces of jewellery to give someone else the joy that they have given me.”

Selected Jewels from the Collection of Barbara Taylor Bradford auction will take place at 2pm on Thursday 5th December 2013 at Bonhams, New Bond Street, London W1.

Pre-Sale Viewing

Saturday 30th November 11am-5pm

Monday 2nd December 9am-4.30pm

Tuesday 3rd December 9am-4.30pm

Wednesday 4th December 9am-12pm

Thursday 5th December 9am-11am