Auction marks end of historic café culture

Published on Monday 22 December 2008 21:02

TRINKETS and furniture from a former haunt of Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf and Winston Churchill went on display yesterday ahead of an auction.

Humidors, brandy caskets and a boxing ring where the likes of Henry Cooper, Barry McGuigan and Frank Bruno fought in front of a black-tie audience are among the items being sold as part of a collection from the 140- year-old Caf Royal in London. The meeting place – once frequented by the likes of Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor and Muhammad Ali – is closing to make way for a new hotel on the premises.

Established in 1865, the Caf Royal became a playground for the rich and famous. Among its regular clientele was Oscar Wilde, who would entertain guests including his lover Bosie – Lord Alfred Douglas – at the venue.

The Piccadilly caf is to be converted into a hotel by Israeli developer the de Alrov Group.

The sale of items will take place on 20 January, at Bonhams in Knightsbridge, London.