A suitcase containing Elizabeth Taylor's unwanted garments, dispatched by Richard Burton to his sister with a handwritten note reading "don't pass out but this is from me," is being offered for sale at auction. The items, along with accompanying correspondence and a Pratesi shawl embroidered with "Hilda and David love Elizabeth," form part of a significant collection of Welsh memorabilia according to BBC News.
This story was first reported by BBC News.
Burton, who was born in Pontrhydyfen in Neath Port Talbot, sent the suitcase to his sister Hilda from Switzerland in 1971 during his first marriage to Taylor. Auctioneer Rogers Jones Co anticipates the three items will fetch up to £1,300 when they go under the hammer on Thursday at the Cardiff saleroom. The auction house's collection also includes a signed cheque, a contract, and a portrait photograph by Angus McBean alongside the Burton memorabilia, according to Rogers Jones.
What did Burton's letter say?
Burton's correspondence to Hilda outlined Taylor's desire to redistribute her wardrobe. The full text of the letter reveals his casual tone and practical suggestions for the clothing's future use:
Dear Hilda, don't pass out but this is from me. Chiefly it's to tell you that Elizabeth has found a lot of clothes that she doesn't wear anymore and wondered if you have a jumble sale or something or give them away to old colliers, or to do what you like with them. Some of them are out of style, but she says that a needle and cotton can work wonders. A large parcel will be arriving shortly, and all customs duties and carriage should have been paid. If not let me know and I'll create a fuss.
The letter suggests that Taylor had accumulated garments she no longer wore and sought to pass them along through a jumble sale, to local miners, or through other means. Burton assured his sister that shipping costs and customs duties had already been settled.
Who were Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor?
Burton and Taylor's relationship began on the set of Cleopatra in Italy in 1961, when both were married to other people. Their affair during filming became one of Hollywood's most scandalous romances. They married in 1964 and quickly became one of the planet's most celebrated couples, their extravagant lifestyle and public appearances cementing their status as global icons.
The couple's relationship was marked by lavish gestures. One of Burton's most extravagant gifts was the sixty-nine carat pear-shaped diamond that became known as the Burton-Taylor diamond, which Burton reportedly purchased for $1.1 million in 1969. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1974, but they reunited and remarried eighteen months later in 1975, only to divorce again in August 1976.
Burton starred alongside Taylor in eleven films throughout their careers. Born Richard Jenkins in Pontrhydyfen in the Afan Valley in 1925, Burton rose from poverty in a Welsh mining community to become a screen legend. He was the son of a miner and became known for his powerful performances in works including Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood and Shakespearean stage roles, as well as his roles in Hollywood blockbusters. Burton died in 1984 at age 58.
His rags-to-riches narrative has continued to inspire audiences. A film chronicling his formative years was released in 2025, marking the centenary of his birth. That same year, two blue plaques were unveiled in Port Talbot and Pontrhydyfen to commemorate the actor's legacy.
What else is being auctioned?
The Burton memorabilia is part of a broader Welsh Sale featuring numerous items of historical and cultural significance. The auction includes rugby memorabilia spanning more than a century, from previously unseen photographs of the 1905 New Zealand All Blacks touring team to medals belonging to Cardiff RFC's Eddie Watkins, who made his Wales debut in the 1935 victory over New Zealand.
Additional rugby items include a flag signed by 23 players, including Brian Lochore and Chris Laidlaw, from Cardiff's 6-5 defeat to the All Blacks at the Arms Park in 1963; four caps belonging to Jack Bassett, the Penarth captain who led Wales and played every Test of the 1930 Lions tour; and a Springbok skin brought home from the unbeaten 1974 Lions tour by Tommy David, framed with a pelt signed by the squad.
The collection also features a match-worn 1946 Great Britain rugby league jersey from the "Indomitables" tour worn by Ken Gee, and signed Puma King boots belonging to former Welsh international and Manchester United player Ryan Giggs. Beyond sports memorabilia, the auction includes "Zoot Suit" by The High Numbers, the 1964 debut single of the band that became The Who, with only approximately 1,000 copies pressed, and a 1941 Air Ministry scramble bell from RAF Wymeswold, used to summon fighter pilots when an enemy raid was imminent.
When will the auction take place?
The Welsh Sale will occur on Sunday, 22 November 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Rogers Jones Cardiff saleroom, according to Rogers Jones. The Burton items are among dozens of lots expected to be offered during the event.
Key Facts
- Richard Burton sent a suitcase of Elizabeth Taylor's unwanted clothes to his sister Hilda in Wales from Switzerland in 1971
- The suitcase, accompanying letter, and Pratesi shawl are expected to sell for up to £1,300 at Rogers Jones Co auction
- Burton and Taylor met on the set of Cleopatra in 1961 and married twice, divorcing in 1974 and again in 1976
- Burton was born in Pontrhydyfen, Neath Port Talbot in 1925 and rose from a mining family to become a Hollywood legend
- The auction takes place on 22 November 2026 and includes extensive Welsh memorabilia, rugby items, and entertainment collectibles
