A Lego model of the royal yacht Dannebrog, which stood in Legoland’s Miniland for 28 years, was sold at auction for 60,000 kroner on Wednesday. Legoland is donating the money to the Mary Foundation.
DR reports that the original model, built in 1998, was sold at the auction house Bruun Rasmussen. The figure appears on the auction house’s own website. The model had been on display at Legoland in Billund for the past 28 years.
Legoland had said in advance that the proceeds would go to a charitable cause. In a press release Wednesday evening, the park confirmed the recipient is the Mary Foundation. Jan Mouritzen, head of Legoland’s model department, said the choice fit the sale of the royal yacht Dannebrog.
The final price was double the auction house’s valuation. Bruun Rasmussen had estimated the model at between 20,000 and 30,000 kroner. Ekstra Bladet and TV Syd also reported the result on September 16.
Line Hjorth Langkjær, a specialist at Bruun Rasmussen, said interest in the model was unusually strong from the start. Per the press release, she pointed to the combination of an original model with nearly 30 years of Legoland history and the ship’s place in Danish history. The Copenhagen Post covered the sale on September 17.
A larger ship in the new Miniland area
In July, Legoland opened a section of Miniland that recreates Copenhagen’s harbor. The area includes a new model of the Danish royal yacht. Miniland also features landmarks such as Kronborg Castle and the Statue of Liberty in the United States.
The updated ship consists of 225,000 Lego bricks. The original model was built from about 25,000 Lego bricks, which were glued together.
According to the press release, Mouritzen said the older model had acquired some patina over the years. He described it as impressive how well the bricks had held up nearly 30 years later.
The real Dannebrog serves as the official and private residence of the royal couple and other members of the royal family. It is used during summer cruises in Denmark and on overseas official visits. The vessel, built between 1931 and 1932, also carries out maritime surveillance and sea rescue duties when at sea.
Bruun Rasmussen’s listing confirms the 60,000 kroner result. Legoland has not said whether other original models from Miniland will be offered for sale.
