Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's partial set of dentures -- described as "the teeth that saved the world" -- were purchased for more than $23,000 at a London auction July 29.
The upper dentures, one of several sets specially made for the wartime prime minister, were used to maintain his distinctively slurred speaking style, according to an Associated Press (AP) story.
They were purchased by a U.K. collector of Churchill memorabilia at an auction at three times the estimated price, which had been valued at $6,000 to $7,000.
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| Winston Churchill's partial set of dentures. Image courtesy of Newsmakers PR. |
The set of dentures was unique because it was designed to be loose-fitting so that Churchill could preserve the diction famous from World War II-era radio broadcasts, according to the story.
"From childhood, Churchill had a very distinctive natural lisp; he had trouble with his S's," Jane Hughes, head of learning at London's Hunterian Museum, told the AP. "These are the teeth that saved the world."
The dentures were made by dental technician Derek Cudlipp, who produced three or four identical sets for Churchill. One set is believed be have been buried with Churchill. The set at auction was sold by Cudlipp's son.
Churchill had multiple sets made because he feared breaking them when he got upset, according to Cudlipp. If he got angry, he would bite down on them and break them, according to a story in the Daily Mail. As a result, Cudlipp's father was contacted day or night to repair them or fit Churchill with a spare set.
The leader valued his dentist, Wilfred Fish, so highly that he nominated him for a knighthood, the AP reported.
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