Legoland’s Lego model of royal ship sells for 60,000 kroner

A Lego model of the Danish royal ship Dannebrog, which had been displayed at Legoland in Billund for 28 years, has been sold at auction for 60,000 kroner, DR reported.

The model was sold on Wednesday through auction house Bruun Rasmussen. Its sale price was twice the auction house’s estimate of 20,000 to 30,000 kroner.

Legoland said earlier in September that it would donate the proceeds to charity. It has not yet announced which cause will receive the money.

The model was built in 1998 from approximately 25,000 Lego bricks, which were glued together. Legoland said it was the first time the amusement park had auctioned an original model from Miniland, its miniature area featuring landmarks built from Lego bricks.

In July, Legoland opened a new Miniland area depicting Copenhagen Harbour. It includes a new model of Dannebrog made from 225,000 Lego bricks.

Jan Mouritzen, head of Legoland’s model department, said the original model had developed some patina over the years but that it was impressive how well the bricks had held up after almost 30 years.

The real Dannebrog serves as an official and private residence for the king and queen and other members of the royal family during summer cruises in Denmark and official overseas visits. The ship, built between 1931 and 1932, is also used for maritime surveillance and sea rescue services.