Bidders competed for about 150 personal items once owned by the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at an auction held by Christie’s on December 15. The lots included suits, handbags, and jewelry that were left to Thatcher’s daughter, Carol, following her death.
The auction drew bidders from many countries all over the world, including Australia, Oman, Malta, and Korea. Many of the items were sold for much more than expected. The auction raised about $4.8 million. An online auction of another 200 items was held on Christie’s website from December 3 to 16.
Thatcher was known for power dressing during her tenure as prime minister. She was often seen in Aquascutum skirt suits and boxy handbags. A gold lame jacket and skirt from Aquascutum were estimated at $2,700 but sold for $45,400. The velvet blue wedding dress Thatcher wore in 1951 was estimated at $15,000 but sold for $38,000.
All of her handbags sold for much more than the guide prices. The collection included a navy blue Launer bag and a small Fendi purse with gold hardware. One of the most coveted pieces was Thatcher’s red prime ministerial dispatch box. It was estimated at $4,500, but a bidding war drove the price up to $367,000. It was sold to a Korean online bidder.
The Victoria & Albert Museum was involved in talks to purchase some of the items but decided not to do so. No one from the museum was present at the auction.
Thatcher, known as the “Iron Lady,” was Britain’s first female prime minister and the longest-serving British leader of the 20th century. She died in 2013 at the age of 87.
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