Winston Churchill’s WWII Speech Dentures Fetch Over Twice Their Estimated Price at Auction
Winston Churchill's dental prosthesis was designed by dentist Sir Wilfred Fish and crafted by technician Derek Cudlipp. The Cotswold Auction Company in Cheltenham auctioned the partially gold-plated upper dentures. The item was initially estimated to fetch about $10,969.
Feb 8, 2024 | updated: 3:58 AM EST, March 7, 2024
Elizabeth Poole, the auctioneer quoted by the 'Daily Mail,' noted that Churchill's prosthesis is "one of the most extraordinary items they have ever sold." The prosthesis was crafted at the onset of World War II when Churchill was 65.
Three or four identical sets were believed to have been made, speculated Poole. She also mentioned that one set is thought to have been buried with the former Prime Minister. Eventually, Churchill's prosthesis was sold for roughly $24,651. The buyer paid over twice the anticipated price.
Churchill's false teeth attracted bids beyond Britain's borders. The item sparked interest overseas.
Bidding war for Churchill's dentures rages: not just Brits fighting it out
The auction house that presented Churchill's dental prosthesis expressed surprise and delight at the high level of interest it drew. Bids came in via phone not only from the UK but also from the United States.
The buyer has purchased a unique piece of our country's history, remarked Poole, unable to hide her euphoria.
In these dentures, Churchill pronounced the famous words "We shall fight on the beaches", aiming to rally the nation. The BBC noted that the dentures were designed to maintain Churchill's natural lisp. Due to their significance, he would always carry two pairs with him.
