Queen’s 1952 Cognac to sell at auction

A 60-year old Hine Cognac, bottled to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, is to be sold at auction next week.

A selection of Cognac on offer at Bonham’s Fine & Rare Wines auction next week

The 1952 vintage – just one of several Cognac lots to be sold at Bonham’s Fine & Rare Wines sale on 14 February in London – is expected to fetch up to £500.

Bottled in 1987, the Cognac is just one of several set aside in Hine’s personal reserves in 1952 to commemorate the Queen’s accession to the throne. In 1977 a small quantity was bottled and presented to Her Majesty on her Silver Jubilee.

Richard Harvey MW, international director of Bonhams Wine Department, said: “The excellent results in our previous sales show that the market for Cognac is still strong. The Hine Grande Champagne Cognac, which was destined for the Queen, is a very rare and interesting bottle and I’m sure it will arouse great interest.”

Also for sale at the auction is an engraved crystal decanter of Pierre Frapin Civee 1888 Grand Cru Cognac with accompanying gold-plated replica fob watch, which is expected to reach £2,500-£3,000; a bottle of Château Paulet 100 Year Grande Fine Champagne Cognac estimated at £600-700; a bottle of J. Calvet & Co Grande Champagne Cognac 1898 estimated at £400-500; and a bottle of Classique de Martell Cognac in a Baccarat decanter and presentation box estimated at £400-500.