Personal Belongings of Infamous Kray Twins Fetch Thousands at Devon Auction
Several personal items once owned by the infamous London crime figures, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, were auctioned off this week, drawing significant attention and selling for thousands of pounds. The auction took place at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood, a reputable auction house located in Devon, on Tuesday.
Among the items that attracted bids were handwritten memorabilia and personal artifacts tied to the notorious twin brothers, who dominated London’s East End criminal underworld during the 1950s and 1960s. The Kray twins, notorious for their involvement in organized crime, including extortion and murder, were eventually sentenced to life imprisonment for their crimes.
The Kray Twins priced handwritten memorabilia
One of the standout pieces at the auction was a four-page handwritten letter from April 1969 addressed to their mother, Violet Kray. This heartfelt note, believed to have been written while the twins were incarcerated, sold for £1,600. In addition, a collection of 19 manuscript condolence letters and cards — expressions of sympathy likely received by the family during times of mourning — sold for £1,300.
Another notable lot featured a collection of vintage photographs and assorted personal items, or ephemera, dating from 1957 to 1974. This bundle, offering a visual and historical glimpse into the Krays’ lives over nearly two decades, fetched £1,500.
High-value piece of jewelry in the Kray Twins items
The auction also included a high-value piece of jewelry — a diamond ring crafted in the 1960s from 18-carat gold — which had belonged to the twins’ older brother, Charlie Kray. The ring sold for an impressive £2,800, underscoring ongoing public fascination with the family’s legacy.
Ronnie Kray passed away in 1995 at the age of 61, while his twin, Reggie, died five years later in 2000, aged 66. Despite their deaths, the Kray twins remain embedded in British criminal folklore, and their personal effects continue to hold historical and financial value for collectors.
The auctioned items came from the personal collection of Dean Buffini, who is the stepson of Charlie Kray. According to the auction house, one additional lot — a firearm licence issued in Ronald Kray’s name — failed to sell. It had been listed with a firm reserve price of £5,000, which was not met during the bidding process.
While the Krays’ violent legacy is controversial, the strong interest in their belongings highlights the enduring curiosity surrounding their lives and the era of London’s gangland history they helped define.
