High Bid

Queen Mary's million-stitch needlepoint rug, after three months of exhibition in the U.S. and Canada, was sold last week to the highest bidder: Canada's Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, which offered 100,000 Canadian dollars.

In London, "Queen Mary's Contribution to the Dollar Drive Committee," under the chairmanship of the Marchioness of Reading, announced that seven bids had been considered (four from the U.S., three from Canada). All but the successful bidders' names and offers were with held. It was said that some bids were a bit on the frivolous side; one woman asked if the carpet could be sent to her on approval.

Proud I.O.D.E. officers said they would display the rug on a cross-Canada tour to help raise the purchase price, then present it to the National Gallery in Ottawa for permanent hanging. At London's Marlborough House, pleased Queen Mary asked a lady in waiting: "How much is $100,000 in sterling?"* The royal needleworker will turn the money over to the national exchequer as her contribution to Britain's dollar drive.

*-L-32,500.

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