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A ringside seat at the Café Royal sale
Tom Lawrence22 Dec 2008
London's most decadent waterhole and Oscar Wilde's favourite haunt Café Royal put its contents up for auction preview today.
The 143-year-old Piccadilly venue has thrown its last party and is to be converted into a hotel by Israeli developer de Alrov Group.
Today until 9pm the public can tour its opulent interior for the last time and view the pieces going under the hammer next month.
The list of more than 100 lots includes the boxing ring where the likes of Henry Cooper, Barry McGuigan and Frank Bruno fought in front of a black-tie audience. The rubber ground sheet is still spattered with blood.
Other items include an early 20th century Venetian glass-and-gilt decorated 20-light chandelier, a William IV rosewood breakfast table, and humidors and brandy caskets from the café's cellars.
There are also photographic reproductions of personalities who drank there since the café opened in 1865, including Winston Churchill, Rudyard Kipling, Brigitte Bardot, Princess Diana, Mick Jagger and Muhammad Ali.
Oscar Wilde was famous for holding court in the Domino Room every night, where he entertained his lover Lord Alfred Douglas and drank so much absinthe he said he began to hallucinate.
In 1894 the venue was the scene of an infamous murder when night porter Marius Martin was shot dead. The crime was never solved.
The auction will be held on Tuesday 20 January at Bonhams' Knightsbridge saleroom.
Reader views (2)
I was saddened to hear the news today - sometimes I find it difficult to understand decisions such as this; one day the decision makers will realise they made a mistake to erase away their history that they take for granted so easily. You simply cannot replace these icons.
I worked at The Cafe Royal for three years from 1981, and it was there that I met my wife (now of 24 years). After leaving The Cafe Royal, I moved to Australia where I am now the Qld State Mgr for a major catering company there, and have a wonderful life and family. For me, The Cafe Royal was where I met my beautiful wife, and it provided me with first class training and education in the restaurant and catering industry.
This is indeed a sad day! And a sad day for England.
- Jonathan Storer, Brisbane, Australia, 27/12/2008 11:27
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I worked there in the Sales department in the 1980's and what a lovely role! Met so many lovely people colleagues and customers alike. Held such events as the ITV Telethon, Brake bros event and Windsmoor fashion shows!!! Loved it and everything about the "CAFE". Lived in Kent at the time and just loved everything about it. Felt so sad when I heard the news it was closing and wish now I collected something in my day. So many memories tied up in the building - such a happy dedicated and caring team under Mr Stephen McManus, General Manager and Mr Robert Burness who was Lord Forte;s Son-in-law - quite charming. A sad day indeed. God bless the cafe royal and all its memories. I will love you even when you are no more!
- Wendy Armstrong, Derby, 23/12/2008 14:42
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