Krays' gun licence could fetch thousands at auction

The gun licence was issued to Ronnie Kray on May 30 1964

Several items connected to notorious London gangsters the Kray twins are to come up for auction.

A gun licence issued to gangster Ronnie Kray, letters his twin Reggie wrote from prison and their brother Charlie's ring are being auctioned by Bearnes, Hampton and Littlewood in Exeter.

They are being sold by Dean Buffini who is the stepson of the twins' brother Charlie Kray.

He has decided to sell the items after the death last year of his mother Diane, who was Charlie Kray's partner for 27 years.

Dean Buffini and Brian Goodison-Blanks, head of collections at the auction house, look at the gun licence

Reggie Kray thanked his mother for her prison visit and received a letter of apology from Carol Skinner who blamed herself for his imprisonment

The lots include a four-page letter which Reggie Kray wrote to his mother Violet Kray from Brixton prison in 1969.

He told his mother he enjoyed seeing her and his father on their recent visit and "I liked that suit you was wearing, it's a nice colour."

He described life in prison including watching the Des O'Connor Show and suggested his mother use honey in her tea rather than sugar, because "its good for your health".

He told her he was "going to do a few yoga exercises now" and listen to Radio Luxembourg and would think of her when he was in church.

He also discussed a visit from a woman believed to be called Coral or Carol who may be Carol Skinner, or "Blonde Carol" who rented the flat in Hackney where Reggie Kray killed Jack "The Hat" McVitie in October 1967.

Reggie, who died in 2000, signed off the letter to his mother "Keep smiling. God bless you. All my love."

Another letter going under the hammer is a four page letter Reggie wrote from Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight to Ronnie in 1982.

He told his twin brother prison rule limited his correspondence "so I will not be able to write to you often".

Charlie Kray's gold and diamond ring was bought in London in 1965

An18ct gold diamond ring that belonged to their older brother Charlie is expected to fetch between £3,000 to £4,000.

It is being sold together with a photograph of Charlie Kray wearing the ring at a family wedding.

The auction also includes three photographs featuring Ronnie Kray, Reggie Kray's first wife Frances Shea and 1958 receipts from the Krays' Double R Club in east London, as well as business cards for the club and The Kings Arms in Shoreditch.

Lots also include letters of condolence to the twins after their mother's death.

Auctioneer Brian Goodison Blanks said there was "an interest in crime" and The Krays had a major impact on London's history and culture in the 1960s.

"These are historical pieces and historical documents. There is an interest in the darker side of history".

He said the collection was difficult to value but the whole set is expected to fetch more than £10,000, with the gun licence alone estimated at about £5,000 to £8,000.

The auction will be held on 12 and 13 August.