// BBC ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS — MODA & SOCIETÀ
Suitcase Richard Burton sent Elizabeth Taylor's clothes to sister in up for auction
Richard Burton wrote a letter to his sister saying "don't pass out but this is from me" as he sent her Elizabeth Taylor's unwanted clothes
A suitcase once containing Elizabeth Taylor's unwanted clothes which was shipped by Richard Burton to his sister suggesting to give them to "old colliers" is up for auction.
Burton, from Pontrhydyfen in Neath Port Talbot, wrote to his sister Hilda from Switzerland saying "don't pass out but this is from me" as he sent her the clothes in 1971.
Burton was married five times, twice to Taylor with whom he starred in 11 films. Their relationship was born from an affair while filming Cleopatra together in the 1960s.
The suitcase the clothes contained and the letter Burton sent his sister are among a stash of Welsh memorabilia up for auction on Thursday.
Auctioneer Rogers Jones Co said the two items, along with a Pratesi shawl embroidered with "Hilda and David love Elizabeth" as a gift, are expected to be sold for up to £1,300.
Burton sent the suitcase to his sister in Wales from Switzerland during his first marriage with Taylor
The letter penned by Burton to Hilda suggested she give the clothes to a jumble sale or to "old colliers".
It reads: "Dear Hilda, don't pass out but this is from me.
"Chiefly it's to tell you that Elizabeth has found a lot of clothes that she doesn't wear anymore and wondered if you have a jumble sale or something or give them away to old colliers, or to do what you like with them.