The late British prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s leadership style was so commanding it earned its own dictionary definition: “handbagging”. It means to “verbally attack or crush (a person or idea) ruthlessly and forcefully”.
Around 350 items that belonged to the Iron Lady, including several of her famous handbags, are due to be auctioned at Christie’s next month after the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London turned down the chance to exhibit her clothes. The two sales, one at the London auction house on 15 December and one online (3-16 December), are expected to raise at least £500,000.
A spokeswoman for the V&A says there were discussions several years ago about the museum acquiring some pieces from Thatcher’s wardrobe, although “no formal offer” was made for it to acquire the collection.
Collectors and enthusiasts will now have the opportunity to buy the black-and-white hounds-tooth tweed wrap worn on Thatcher’s trip to Washington in 1988 (est £800-£1,200), the pale trench coat by Aquascutum worn during a visit to British troops at a Nato training ground in Germany in 1986 (est £10,000-£20,000) or her blue velvet wedding dress, said to be inspired by Gainsborough’s portrait of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (est £10,000-£15,000).
Other highlights—some of them relating to Thatcher’s time in office—include her prime ministerial red leather dispatch box (£3,000-£5,000), a signed and bound copy of her last speech in the House of Commons in November 1990 (£500-£800) and an Art Deco emerald and diamond necklace by Chaumet (est £120,000-£180,000).
