1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

Sold for $103,500 at 2005 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia.
Sold for $159,040 at 2021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction.
The rulers of India favored the Rolls-Royce automobile, and it is believed that the Maharajah of Gwailor was the earliest owner who in 1908 took delivery of one of the first examples built. His commissioned specific formal coachwork became known as 'The Pearl of the East'.

By the time this particular example was built, Rolls-Royce had agencies in Calcutta, Delhi, and Bombay. This example was commissioned through Calcutta by its agent G. Mein Austin in April of 1921. Since delivery times were often lengthy, many cars had their coachwork ordered at the time of chassis build. This car, however, is listed on its order documentation as 'Body to be built in India'- the maker is not listed. The coachbuilder is believed to have been Steuart & Co. of Calcutta.

It is believed that 47AG remained in India until the 1950s or 1960s. By 1969, the car was in America and in the care of Sam D. Fire, of New York. From Fire, the car passed to William Butler, and in 2005 was offered for sale at Bonham's auction. At that time, the car entered the ownership of its current owner.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2021