Image source, Rogers Jones Co
Image caption, Richard Burton wrote a letter to his sister saying “don’t pass out but this is from me” as he sent her Elizabeth Taylor’s unwanted clothes
A suitcase once containing Elizabeth Taylor’s unwanted clothes which was shipped by Richard Burton to his sister suggesting to give them to “old colliers” is up for auction.
Burton, from Pontrhydyfen in Neath Port Talbot, wrote to his sister Hilda from Switzerland saying “don’t pass out but this is from me” as he sent her the clothes in 1971.
Burton was married five times, twice to Taylor with whom he starred in 11 films. Their relationship was born from an affair while filming Cleopatra together in the 1960s.
The suitcase the clothes contained and the letter Burton sent his sister are among a stash of Welsh memorabilia up for auction on Thursday.
Auctioneer Rogers Jones Co said the two items, along with a Pratesi shawl embroidered with “Hilda and David love Elizabeth” as a gift, are expected to be sold for up to £1,300.
Image source, Rogers Jones Co
Image caption, Burton sent the suitcase to his sister in Wales from Switzerland during his first marriage with Taylor
The letter penned by Burton to Hilda suggested she give the clothes to a jumble sale or to “old colliers”.
It reads: “Dear Hilda, don’t pass out but this is from me.
“Chiefly it’s to tell you that Elizabeth has found a lot of clothes that she doesn’t wear anymore and wondered if you have a jumble sale or something or give them away to old colliers, or to do what you like with them.
“Some of them are out of style, but she says that a needle and cotton can work wonders.
“A large parcel will be arriving shortly, and all customs duties and carriage should have been paid. If not let me know and I’ll create a fuss.”
Burton and Taylor met on the set of Cleopatra in Italy in 1961, and were both married to other people but began a romantic affair.
They married in 1964 and their lavish lifestyle helped to cement their position as one of the most famous couples on the planet.
One of Burton’s most extravagant gifts to Taylor was the sixty-nine carat pear shaped diamond that came to be known as the Burton-Taylor diamond. Burton is reputed to have paid $1.1m for the diamond in 1969.
The couple divorced in 1974 before remarrying for the second time eighteen months later in 1975. They divorced again in August 1976.
Image caption, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor married and divorced each other twice
Screen legend Burton was born Richard Jenkins, in Pontrhydyfen in the Afan Valley, Neath Port Talbot, in 1925 and died aged 58 in 1984.
He was the son of a miner, and is well known for his alcoholism and turbulent love life.
As well as starring in Hollywood blockbuster Cleopatra, he was also known for his powerful performances in Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood and Shakespearean stage roles.
His rags-to-riches story, from poverty in a Welsh mining town to Hollywood fame, is one that continues to inspire.
A film telling the story of his formative years was released in 2025 – the centenary year of his birth.
Two blue plaques were unveiled that year in Port Talbot and Pontrhydyfen to commemorate Burton.
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Image source, Rogers Jones Co
Image caption, Eddie Watkins’ medals are in the auction alongside the suitcase Richard Burton sent his sister
Slide 1 of 4, Three bronze rugby medals, Eddie Watkins’ medals are in the auction alongside the suitcase Richard Burton sent his sisterAlso going under the hammer at the auction are memorabilia from rugby matches dating back to 1905.
They include:
Previously unseen photographs of the 1905 New Zealand All Blacks on their way home after being beaten by Wales – a match regarded as starting the countries’ 126-year rivalry
Cardiff RFC’s Eddie Watkins’ medals, who made his Wales debut in the 1935 win over New Zealand
A flag signed by 23 players, including Brian Lochore and Chris Laidlaw, of Cardiff’s 6-5 defeat to the All Blacks at the Arms Park in 1963
Four caps belonging to Jack Bassett – the Penarth captain who led Wales and played every Test of the 1930 Lions tour
A Springbok skin brought home from the unbeaten 1974 Lions tour by Tommy David, framed with a pelt signed by the squad
Ken Gee’s match-worn 1946 Great Britain rugby league jersey from the “Indomitables” tour
The auction also includes:
Former Welsh international and Manchester United player Ryan Giggs’s signed Puma King boots
“Zoot Suit” by The High Numbers – the 1964 debut single of the band that became The Who, of which only around 1,000 copies were pressed
A 1941 Air Ministry scramble bell from RAF Wymeswold – used to summon fighter pilots when an enemy raid was imminent
The auction will take place from 10:00 GMT on Thursday at the Rogers Jones Cardiff saleroom.
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