Doyle Auctioneers & Appraisers is thrilled to hold an auction of The Collection of Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE, the trailblazing British writer and journalist who first captured the world’s attention in 1979 with A Woman of Substance, a sweeping saga of ambition and resilience, which remains one of the best-selling novels of all time. Lots are now live on Doyle’s website.
The nearly 200 lots in this sale tell Barbara Taylor Bradford’s own story—including her favourite typewriter, paintings of her beloved dogs, select pieces of jewellery and rare first editions of her own works, as well as some received from British Prime Ministers—tracing her journey from a Yorkshire newsroom to international literary acclaim. The items will tour Doyle’s galleries in Palm Beach and Beverly Hills before being displayed for public exhibition at Doyle New York beginning May 3, noon-5pm. A live auction will be held there on Wednesday, May 7, and will also be available for online bidding and via telephone.
During her life, Barbara Taylor Bradford wrote 40 novels, selling over 92 million copies worldwide. Her contributions to literature and journalism earned her numerous accolades on both sides of the Atlantic, including an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II for services to literature and The Lifetime Platinum Bestseller
Award from Nieslen, an award only given to a very small number of authors who have achieved lifetime sales of over five million copies in the UK. She was also the first ambassador for Women in Journalism and received honorary doctorates from five universities. Ten of Barbara’s novels have been adapted into successful television miniseries, including the Emmy-nominated A Woman of Substance. Now, 40 years after it first aired, the story is being adapted once again for a new global TV audience.
Notable lots include a selection of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s jewellery, together with first edition copies of A Woman of Substance. Other auction highlights include items that highlight the cultural landscape she inhabited, such as signed first copies of Paul Robeson and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s memoirs and two signed photographs of Sir Anthony Hopkins, an actor who starred in Barbara Taylor Bradford’s To Be The Best miniseries. The sale also features some of the entertaining and dinner services she and Bob would often use for the dinner parties she was fêted for hosting, many of which counted upon the highest ranks of the literary and political intelligentsia as guests.
“This collection reflects a life of elegance, intellect, and artistry, offering a glimpse into the world of one of the most successful writers of our time,” said Doyle’s Executive Director of Books, Autographs & Photographs, Peter Costanzo. “Author memorabilia has consistently attracted significant interest at auctions, reflecting a deep appreciation for literary figures and their works. The provenance and historical significance of such items often drive their desirability and value in the auction market.”
A lifelong devotee of the arts, Bradford’s life was as glamorous as the women in her novels. She met royalty and was friends with presidents and Prime Ministers, musicians, film directors, and stars from the stage and screen. Married for 55 years to Robert Bradford, a celebrated film and television producer, she remained immersed in storytelling across mediums. The couple enjoyed holidays in France, Geneva, Capri, and in the Caribbean islands, and they amassed a collection of art, jewellery, porcelain, Art Deco and Biedermeier furniture, silverware, first edition books, and Winston Churchill memorabilia. A select numberof pieces are now being offered in this auction for the very first time.
Randy Jones, Co-Trustee of The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust, says of the sale, “The pieces in this auction offer a rare glimpse into Barbara Taylor Bradford’s remarkable life—one defined by elegance, ambition, and an unyielding dedication to storytelling. Each item reflects not only her impeccable taste but also the extraordinary journey she shared with her beloved husband, Bob. This collection is a tribute to her enduring legacy, inviting admirers and collectors alike to own a part of her world.”
About Doyle Auctioneers & Appraisers. Founded in 1962, Doyle is one of the world’s foremost auctioneers and appraisers of jewelry, art, furniture, decorations, Asian works of art, coins, stamps, rare books and other categories. Headquartered in New York City, Doyle offers auctions throughout the year that attract a broad base of buyers and consignors from around the world. Doyle operates a network of regional galleries and advisors across the nation, including Palm Beach, Beverly Hills, Charleston, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, Connecticut, Long Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. For information, visit Doyle.com.
About Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE. Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE was born and raised in England. She left school at 15 for the typing pool at the Yorkshire Evening Post, England. At 16, she became a reporter on the paper and, at 18, its first Woman’s Editor. At the age of 20, she moved to London and became a columnist and editor on Fleet Street. Barbara wrote 40 novels, all of which became international bestsellers. 92 million copies of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s books have been sold to date. They are published in over 40 languages and in more than 90 countries. Described as the “grand dame of blockbusters” and “Queen of the genre,” Barbara’s incredible success made her one of the most successful writers in the world. Ten of her books have been produced as TV films or drama series by Robert Bradford, starring actors including Liam Neeson, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jenny Seagrove, Deborah Kerr, Sir John Mills, Lindsay Wagner and Elizabeth Hurley. A brand-new TV adaptation of A Woman of Substance is currently in production with Channel 4. For more information, please click this link.
