Ronnie & Reggie, The Kray Twins
The possessions, including two watches, of the infamous Krays are going up for auction later this month.
The Kray Twins are possible the most well known British gangsters in History, and have even been recreated in 2015’s ‘Legend‘ where Tom Hardy played both twins. Ronnie and Reggie where identical twins, born in 1933 in the East End of London. Along with their gang known as ‘The Firm’ the Krays became the foremost perpetrators of organised crime in the capital. Involved in murder, armed robbery, arson, assaults and protection rackets, the Kray Twins rose to power and became mixed up with politicians and celebrities alike.
Their power and influence over the east end caused a rise in stardom, becoming celebrities in their own right, being photographed by paparazzi, and being interviewed on television. This all fell apart on May 8th 1968 when the Krays were arrested, and then convicted in 1969. This was the result of the efforts or Detective Superintendent Leonard “Nipper” Read. and his detective team, who managed to have the twins sentenced to life imprisonment. Ronnie remained in Broadmoor Hospital after suffering a heart attack, and later passed on 17 March 1995, and these possessions up for auction were handed over by Reggie 4 years on from his brothers death. They were handed over with a note asking for the possessions to be handed out following the death of Ronnie. The following year, 2000, Reggie was released from prison on compassionate grounds, but died from cancer just 8 weeks later.
The Auction – Watches And More
A handful of possessions, that were handed over when the twins died, such as their watches, a cigarette holder, and a lighter, are all going to auction on the 18th October 2018. The items are all still in the original sealed prison bags, and come with prison application forms dated 1999 requesting permission to be handed out, showing their authenticity.
The watch that was owned by Reggie, is in the style of the Rolex Oyster Date, with a jubilee bracelet, but rather than being made from genuine gold, it is made from steel and gold plating. Ronnie’s watch is an inexpensive steel Sekonda, which, just like Ronnies, is a very classic possibly expensive looking watch, but it turns out that the value does not necessarily show this to be true.
You would expect the two most notorious gangsters of London’s East End to be walking round with expensive, flashy watches, which i’m sure they did in their heyday, but they decided it would be much safer to take inexpensive watches into prison with them, as neither of them would want to own or wear anything of value whilst locked up.
It is not decided what the value of the items is, as things like this can either sell for a coupe of hundred pounds, or if the right bidders are out, then it can rack up thousands and thousands of pounds for the most passionate collectors! On sale on the 18th as one singular lot, they are estimated at £200 – £400 but could sky rocket if they are a hit with the auction goers.
Steven Collins, of auctioneers Cheffins said the following – “Whatever your views on the Krays, these items are an almost unique opportunity to buy a part of London’s most infamous history.” He also went on to say that Kray memorabilia “only rarely comes to the market.”
