Pearl White (1889-1938) was a movie star who appeared in over a huge number of serial films, perhaps most famously starring in the 1914 series The Perils of Pauline.
She was initially famous for her blonde hair though, like Marilyn Monroe, she was not naturally blonde at all (Monroe dyed her hair, White used a wig - and could escape notice in public simply by not wearing it).
White (pictured above) was also famed for her willingness to perform her own stunts, leading her to be nicknamed cinema's Stunt Queen. Whether it was swimming across rivers, high-speed car chases or flying airplanes she stepped up to it, and was briefly the most popular female in silent films.
"I have actually gotten to like fear." she commented once.
 Pearl White's Rolls-Royce Phantom II (Click to enlarge) |
The 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II which is to star at Bonhams June sale in Leicestershire was used by Greek industrialist Theodore Cozzika to travel from Cairo to White's home in the South of France.
The pair shared a love of travel as well as excitement, and the chassis cards state that the car was 'for use on Continent and Egypt at very high speeds with fairly heavy luggage'. It has recently been completely restored by Taylor's of Chichester to concours standards and will sell with an estimate of £250,000-300,000.
Also appearing in the sale will be the 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sedanca de Ville that was paraded for Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle for both her Silver Jubilee in 1977 and Golden Jubilee in 2003.
Well known in Royal circles it will auction with an estimate of £100,000-130,000. The auction takes place on June 19. Collectors interested in royal memorabilia may wish to take a look at this portfolio, which is currently available.
