Betty Boothroyd’s Estate Auctioned Off for Charity: A Collection of Personal and Political Memorabilia

Betty Boothroyd, the first female Speaker of the House of Commons in the United Kingdom, left an indelible mark on British political history. Her passing in February 2023 at the age of 93 was mourned by many, and her estate was auctioned off for charity in January 2024. The auction, held by Special Auction Services in Newbury, raised over £84,000 for various charities. This article provides an in-depth look at the items sold, their significance, and the impact on the charities.

The auction featured 224 items from Betty Boothroyd’s personal and political life. The highest selling item was a programme for the 1961 inauguration ceremony of US President John F. Kennedy, which fetched £7,250. This programme, signed ‘To Betty Boothroyd, with very best wishes, John F. Kennedy,’ was a prized possession for the late Baroness. During the mid-to-late 1950s, she worked as a secretary to Labour MPs Barbara Castle and Geoffrey de Freitas. In 1960, she travelled to the United States to observe the Kennedy campaign. The JFK souvenir programme’s value was significantly increased due to Betty Boothroyd’s frequent mentions of it in her autobiography.

Another item that drew considerable attention was a Columbo DVD box set. Lady Boothroyd was an avid fan of the detective series, and her collection of Columbo on DVD was among the items up for auction. Although it did not meet its reserve price during the auction, it is hoped that a private buyer will purchase it and donate the proceeds to the charities.

Baroness Boothroyd’s political career began in 1973 when she was elected as a Labour MP. She was appointed as Speaker in 1992 and resigned as an MP in 2000, receiving a peerage the following year. Her black leather dispatch box from the House of Commons sold for £6,500, more than 30 times its estimated sale price of £200-300. This dispatch box, bearing the cypher for Elizabeth II and Betty Boothroyd, was a symbol of her political achievements.

Prized treasures from her jewellery collection were also auctioned off, including a House of Commons brooch which sold for £2,500. Photographs capturing precious memories from Lady Boothroyd’s early political life, including on the day she was first elected as an MP in 1973, also went under the hammer.

Items giving an insight into her home and personal life included a collection of board games, dominoes, playing cards, and the complete series of Columbo on DVD. More quirky items included two hardback copies of Hyacinth Bucket’s books, from the sitcom Keeping up Appearances, which sold for £625. Both of these books were signed by actress Patricia Routledge, a friend of Baroness Boothroyd.

Baroness Boothroyd’s collection of ornamental frogs and a Frances Segelman resin bust of Lady Boothroyd, which she disliked so much she kept in her garden, were also sold. Thomas Forrester, co-owner and director of Special Auction Services, commented, “The collection was extraordinary. You could get anything from her love of Columbo to games, to the really special bits of political history, to the dispatch box but people still flocked to the weird and wacky.”

It was Betty Boothroyd’s wish that her estate be sold at auction, with the proceeds being split between several charities. The auction raised over £84,000, which will be donated to various charities. This sale not only honors Betty Boothroyd’s legacy but also supports the causes she cared about.

In conclusion, Betty Boothroyd’s estate auction was a testament to her remarkable life and achievements. The sale of her personal and political memorabilia not only raised funds for charity but also provided a glimpse into her life, from her love of Columbo to her political career. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to various charities, ensuring that her legacy continues to make a difference in the lives of others.