A LATE VICTORIAN CARVED MAHOGANY DRESSING TABLE FROM THE ROYAL RACING YACHT BRITANNIA

Britannia, built for King Edward VII when Prince of Wales in 1893, was undoubtedly the most famous racing cutter of them all. Sold in 1897, bought back for cruising in 1901, her second racing career really came into its own when King George V had her refitted for big class competitions in 1921. King George V died in 1936 and under the terms of his will, Britannia was to be sunk if none of his sons wanted her. All her gear, fixtures and fittings were sold by public auction in Marvin's Minerva Yard at Cowes where they realized a total of £1,050.