Strange but true.  A pair of Queen Victoria’s bloomers, a nightgown and a chemise were auctioned off this Monday in a Derby, England auction house.  Apparently, after her death, The Queen’s wardrobe – underwear and all – was distributed to the members of her royal household back in the 1890′s.  One of the Queen’s Ladies-in-waiting was given these garments then.  Unlike other household heirs that prefer to maintain her garments in private, this woman’s thoughtless heirs put them up for auction.

 With a 50 inch waist on the bloomers, the pair is hand-made in fine cotton, has an open style crotch (two legs that are attached to a draw-string waist) and bear a monogrammed "V.R." for Victoria Regina along with a Crest.  The chemise has a 66 inch bust.  The nightgown draws out the fact that the Queen stood less than 5 feet tall.

 The bloomers fetched $8,000, the chemise sold for $4,000 and the nightgown went for $11,000.  Barbara Rusch, a commercial property manager and 30-year collector of Queen Victoria items purchased the bloomers. The photo on the left shows the bloomers being modeled by one of the auction house employees.

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