If I had realized that the Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire auction was scheduled for Sotheby’s in London on the day I land in Paris, I would have revised my travel plans. But thanks to the wonders of technology, we can all see everything online and even bid remotely. Although, I think I will walk over to Sotheby’s today to buy a catalog.

In case you aren’t familiar with the Duchess of Devonshire, the auction has a lovely description.

“A remarkable woman of our time, Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire (1920-2014) led a life as extraordinary as that of her siblings, the legendary Mitford sisters. The Duchess was a woman of elegant taste and sensibility. The wonderful objects with which she lived illustrate so much of her story, from exquisite jewels gifted by her husband to a rare copy of Brideshead Revisited personally inscribed by her friend Evelyn Waugh; all tell of a life well-lived.  Painted by Freud and photographed by Weber, Testino, Beaton and Parkinson, it is the contents of her final home, The Old Vicarage at Edensor on the Chatsworth estate, which perhaps paint the most vivid final portrait. This historic auction will offer fine and decorative art, jewels and the Duchess of Devonshire’s library.”

I appreciate all the antiques and art up for auction but I especially love the custom hen boxes she used to transport her prized chickens to shows. The jewels aren’t too shabby either.

If you happen to be in London this weekend, the viewing is scheduled from Saturday, 27 February to Tuesday, 1 March, 2016. The auction is scheduled for Wednesday, 2 March, 2016. Happy bidding!