An auction house is selling handwritten letters and telegrams from King Charles to Jimmy Savile. RR Auction, based in the US, has nine items available.
The lot also includes an invitation from Princess Diana, pictures of Diana and Charles together and letters from Margaret Thatcher - all attributed to Savile. And one telegram - containing a birthday message - is signed by princes William and Harry.
Savile was one of Britain's most beloved entertainers in his lifetime. He was outed after his death as a predatory sex offender. The collection was found by a Brit, who said: “A lot of Americans wouldn't have a clue who Jimmy Savile is. Most people wouldn’t want any association with him but there might be some really sick people waiting in the wings to buy this stuff.
“It’s been made to look like a royal memorabilia auction, but it says in the notes it’s from the private collection of Jimmy Savile. You wouldn’t pass on these items to anyone. Someone close to him must have inherited them or someone who had access to that sort of thing.”
Items include a birthday message to Savile, congratulations on his knighthood and an invitation to Kensington Palace. An original honeymoon photograph of King Charles and Princess Diana is also up for sale.
Estimates range from $400 to more than $1,000 for the collection of letters between Thatcher and Savile. Several items have received bids. The auction ends today.
Bobby Livingston, executive vice president at RR Auction, said: "Every piece of history holds a story, even those intertwined with controversy like the Jimmy Savile lots up for auction."
Jimmy Savile was a British television and radio personality who became well-known for his work as a DJ, presenter, and charity fundraiser. He hosted various programs on the BBC, including "Top of the Pops" and "Jim'll Fix It." Savile was also recognized for his philanthropic efforts, raising millions of pounds for various charities, particularly hospitals.
After his death in 2011, numerous allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct against Savile emerged, dating back several decades. These allegations included abuse of both children and adults, often occurring in hospitals and other institutions where Savile had access due to his charitable work. The scale and severity of the accusations shocked the public and led to extensive investigations.
In 2012, a report by the Metropolitan Police and the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) concluded that Savile had been a prolific sexual offender, with victims ranging from children as young as eight to adults. The report described Savile as a "predatory sex offender" who had abused hundreds of individuals over a span of more than fifty years, often using his celebrity status and charitable work to gain access to vulnerable people whom he then exploited.
The scandal surrounding Jimmy Savile led to a significant reevaluation of how allegations of sexual abuse are handled and sparked broader discussions about the abuse of power and celebrity impunity. It also prompted investigations into other instances of historical abuse within institutions and organizations where Savile had been involved.
