Entrepreneur, businessman, collector.
Robert White (1953-2015) came from modest roots, starting his career with a small photoshop in Poole, England, before going on to found and run one of the U.K.’s leading photo supply companies.
Later, he became a close friend and confidant to comedian Jay Leno, who shared his love for all things automotive. “They say that you should never be possessed by your possessions; but Robert took more pleasure from his possessions than any man I have ever met,” Leno once said of his friend.
This September, many of those possessions will be up for grabs, when Bonhams presents the Robert White Collection in London.
Among the 500+ items up for auction: a 1930 Bentley Le Mans Style Tourer, a 1959 AC Ace-Bristol Roadster, a MV Agusta 500CC Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle, a 1974 Ducati 750CC and a tough-as-nails 1951 Vincent Series-C Black Shadow. Also on the lot will be rare 1920s mascots (aka hood ornaments) and a covetable 18k George Daniels manual wind watch.
Proceeds from the sale of this fine collection will go to build new cancer facilities in the Poole and Dorset County hospitals, benefiting patients across the UK.
According to Leno: “We spent time together in England before he died. He didn’t feel sorry for himself or ‘woe-is-me’. He realistically faced up to his position and decided he wanted to give something back to the people in Poole Hospital who had helped him with his illness.”
Cheers to Robert White, a champion of the people — and the cars they drive.
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