The ex-Robert Barrymore 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50 Silver Ghost Skiff Coachwork by Schapiro-Schebera was one of the Rare Rolls-Royce Motor Cars at the sale. Image courtesy of Bonhams
DENMARK – Thirteen outstanding classic and rare Rolls-Royce motor cars will be on sale on September 26, 2015, at Bonhams Denmark Sale. From the Henrik Frederiksen Collection, this is the first time Bonhams is conducting an auction in Denmark. The auction will be held in a picturesque 16th-century manor house Lyngsbækgaard, set in the Mols Bjerge national park near Aarhus, Denmark, that belongs to the owner of the collection, Henrik Frederiksen.
One of the major highlights of the auction is a 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50 Silver Ghost Skiff. Estimated at 7,200,000-9,200,000 DKK (£675,000-875,000), the 40/50 H.P. Silver Ghost is considered one of the best designs by Rolls-Royce. At over one hundred years old, the 40/50 H.P. Silver Ghost is incredibly well-traveled. It has been enjoyed by previous owners residing in France, Brussels, Cairo, London, and California. Its chassis is regarded by many as the model that earned the sobriquet “the best car in the world”. With lovely patina and a high degree of originality, the 54PB remains beautifully with age.
An outstanding 1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Open Tourer is another major highlight of the Bonhams Denmark single-owner Frederiksen Collection Sale. Once owned by famous Suffragette and philanthropist Katharine McCormick, the Phantom is estimated at 2,000,000-2,600,000 DKK (£175,000-250,000).
The Phantom II is special in so many ways. Reputedly the last model that Henry Royce designed himself, the Phantom II design deviated from tradition. With an entirely new chassis laid out along the lines of that of the smaller 20HP, the Phantom II deviated from its predecessor, which inherited its underpinnings from the preceding 40/50HP Silver Ghost model. Announced in September 1929 with deliveries commencing immediately, the Phantom II immediately captivated many hearts. Built-in two wheelbase lengths, this new low-slung frame enabled coachbuilders to design a sleeker, more modern body for the car.