WORDS: ELLIOTT HUGHES | PHOTOS: RM SOTHEBY’S
RM Sotheby’s is offering a vast collection of memorabilia from double Formula 1 World Champion Graham Hill in its upcoming London sale on November 4, 2023.
News of the event follows RM Sotheby’s sale of memorabilia from Nigel Mansell’s personal collection of memorabilia, which totalled over £2m ($2.4m) after crossing the block on October 10-11, 2023.
One of the most significant items up for grabs from the Graham Hill Collection is the British driver’s 1962 FIA Drivers’ World Champion trophy. This was presented to Hill after he won his first F1 drivers’ title in a BRM P578, and it has never previously been offered for public sale. The winning bidder is expected to pay between £25,000 and £35,000.
The auction catalogue also features Hill’s first-place trophy from the 1969 Monaco Grand Prix, which could fetch up to £50,000 ($61,000). Hill famously took five victories in the Principality during his career, earning him the nickname Mr Monaco. It is thought to be the first time a Monaco winner’s trophy has been publicly auctioned.
Other silverware on offer includes Hill’s fastest-lap trophy from the 1965 Monaco Grand Prix (£5000-£8000/$6100-$9470), his 1968 Mexican Grand Prix first-place trophy (£15,000-£25,000/$18,265-$30,440), the 1962 South African Grand Prix first-place trophy (£15,000-£25,000/$18,265-$30,440) and the 1972 Le Mans 24 Hours’ winner’s trophy (£20,000-£30,000/$24,350-$36,530).
Graham Hill (and later his son Damon) boasted one of the most iconic F1 helmet liveries ever created, which featured the white blades of the London Rowing Club over a dark Prussian Blue background.
RM Sotheby’s is offering one of Hill’s Bell helmets, worn during at least 16 races between 1972 and 1974, with an estimate of £20,000-£30,000 ($24,350-$36,530). Complementing the helmet is a set of Jay Brand Nomex race-worn overalls embroidered with Hill’s name above the right chest pocket (£8000-£12,000/$9740-$14,611).
Hill remains the only driver in history to clinch motor sport’s elusive Triple Crown, which comprises victories at the Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans 24 Hours and Indy 500. There’s little Indy 500 memorabilia in the catalogue, aside from Hill’s winner’s cheque from 1966, which was written out for $12,500 – about $120,000 in today’s money. The cheque bears a pre-auction estimate of £250-£400 ($304-$487).
To view the full auction catalogue, click here.
