A Group of Tickets and Passes Related to Horse Racing

YORKSHIRE, Doncaster, oval ivory, Ladies Stand, Erected 1858, back named (No. 1, Duke of Portland), 51 x 38mm, 9.55g (W –; D & W –). Obverse fine, reverse very fine, very rare; pierced for suspension £150-£200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Group of Tickets and Passes Related to Horse Racing.

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William John Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, 5th Duke of Portland (1800-79), Welbeck Abbey, Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire and Harcourt House, Cavendish square, London, styled Lord John Bentinck before 1824 and Marquess of Titchfield from 1824-54; ensign, Foot Guards, 1818; 7th Lt Dragoons, 1821, then 2nd Life Guards, 1823; MP for King’s Lynn, 1824-6; first sat in the House of Lords 1857. The Duke was well known for his eccentric lifestyle and his stables at Welbeck reputedly held 100 horses, though he was not a horseman as such; he did not want to meet people and never invited anyone to his home. He employed hundreds through his various construction projects and, though well paid, employees were not allowed to speak to or acknowledge him. Tenants on his estates were aware of his wishes and knew they were required to ignore him if they passed by. His rooms had double letterboxes, one for incoming and another for outgoing mail. Only his valet was permitted to see him in person in his quarters; he would not even let the doctor in, while his tenants and workmen received all their instructions in writing and business with his solicitors, agents and politicians, including Benjamin Disraeli and Lord Palmerston, was handled by post.

Please note that ivory is covered by CITES legislation and may be subject to export and other trade restrictions