Victoria's secret: queen's underwear sells at British auction

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — A giant pair of bloomers which belonged to Queen Victoria sold for nine times their estimate at an auction in Britain Wednesday.

The 50-inch (127-centimetre) waist knickers, which date from the 1890s, sold for 4,500 pounds (5,700 euros, 8,900 dollars) but had been expected to fetch just 500 pounds.

"These pants, considering their provenance and pedigree, are very exciting," said auctioneer Charles Hanson, who sold the bloomers at an auction near Derby in central England.

"They are monogrammed and crested and we know that they are hers."

The bloomers, which were sold by a British family, were bought by an anonymous Canadian.

The queen's 66-inch bust chemise sold for 4,000 pounds and her nightdress fetched 5,500 pounds at the...