An heirloom Tiffany box is up for auction Saturday morning. The silver cigarette box is engraved with thanks from ‘The Duke and Duchess of Windsor.’
King Edward VIII, who was later named the Duke of Winsor after giving up the British throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, gave the box to Dunkelman.
Auctioneer with Schultz Auctioneers Ben Schultz says the box is in great condition considering its over 67 years old. It’s estimated to be worth between $10,000 and $20,000, because of the story attached to it.
“The reason he gave it to Joseph Dunkelman is, because Joseph Dunkelman leased in his yacht back in the 1940’s and when the Duke of Windsor tried to pay for the lease the guy [Dunkelman] refused the money. So, the Duke of Windsor gave him this box as a gift and it’s all engraved with the name of the yacht [the 'M.Y. Dipedon'],” said Schultz.
Schultz says without this provenance the box would probably be worth around $3,000. The auction will take place at Schultz Auctioneers in Clarence around 10 a.m. Saturday.