Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl of Spencer (a.k.a. brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales), travels to the Chicago area in September on a North American tour to promote a line of furnishings.
They’re reproductions of things you’d find in Althorp, his family’s 60,000-square-foot manse in the English countryside.
You know: Tea caddies. Chests. Sofas. Lamps (one has a cannon mounted atop the shade). A Regency mahogany Sutherland table. A George III carved wood mirror. A carved pickled pine Spencer family crest. A George II bureau cabinet. That sort of thing.
Charles Spencer — just call him “Lord” or “Lord Spencer” if you happen to meet him — is keeper of Althorp, the family’s almost 500-year-old ancestral digs in Northamptonshire. The home’s contents inspired the 350-piece Althorp Living History collection by luxe manufacturer Theodore Alexander.
So on Sept. 8 he’ll zip into the Merchandise Mart for a meet, greet and tea at Sherrill Collection, then motor to Barrington — the one off Interstate Highway 90 (not to be confused with Great Barrington or Little Barrington in Gloucestershire).
He’ll arrive at Honquest Furniture for Living (1455 S. Barrington Rd., Barrington; honquest.com) in time for champagne, sparkling water, nibbles and a little chat-up about pieces his family gathered from the 17th to 19th Centuries. Then he’ll sign pieces you might purchase — a George III-style mahogany tea caddy ($525) perhaps.
Because Althorp’s got roof issues and more, proceeds from Althorp Living History sales will help fund a multimillion-dollar renovation.
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Questions? Ideas? Comments? Send what’s on your mind to [email protected] — Linda Bergstrom, Lifestyle editor
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