Secret Life of the Auction House

The show follows the auction of Queen Victoria’s personal effects, including rare hand‑bills and other curiosities, putting the former monarch’s belongings under the hammer. Meanwhile, music expert Claire oversees the sale of celebrated Rolling Stones memorabilia for collectors globally today.

The programme titled Queen Victoria Items, Hand Bills is presented as a single episode that brings together two seemingly unrelated collections. It is framed as a broadcast that follows the sale of historic objects and the handling of iconic music memorabilia, offering viewers a glimpse into both royal heritage and rock‑and‑roll history. In the first part of the episode, the camera turns to the auction block where items that once belonged to Queen Victoria are put up for sale. The segment follows the process of these personal effects being assessed, catalogued and finally offered to the highest bidder, giving a clear view of how such priceless relics move from private possession into the public market. The latter half shifts focus to music specialist Claire, who takes charge of a selection of legendary Rolling Stones artefacts. She examines the pieces, discusses their significance and oversees their preparation for sale, highlighting the expertise required to manage items that hold cultural weight within the music world. By juxtaposing a royal auction with the handling of rock memorabilia, the episode creates a bridge between two distinct realms of collecting. It underscores the care and knowledge needed to steward objects that carry both historical and artistic value, while allowing the audience to see how each is presented to potential new owners.