November 4, 2015: Christie’s London is offering Mrs Thatcher: Property from the Collection of The Right Honourable The Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven, LG, OM, FRS, giving a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire property from a leading political figure.
Approximately 350 historic and personal lots will be offered across two landmark sales: a flagship auction presenting 150 lots in London at Christie’s headquarters on December 15, and an online only sale comprising 200 lots from December 3 to 16.
With items relating to Margaret Thatcher’s time in Office, including her red leather Prime Ministerial Dispatch box (estimate: £3,000-5,000), speech notes and an impressive gift from President Ronald Reagan, alongside jewellery, clothes and handbags, these auctions present unique opportunities for collectors to acquire property from the longest serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the 20th century — and the only woman to have held Office to date. Estimates range from £200 up to £180,000.
Lots include Mrs Thatcher’s midnight blue velvet wedding dress; a suit of Royal blue wool creÌ‚pe by Aquascutum; a black cocktail suit by Tomasz Starzewski (worn by Margaret Thatcher at her 70th birthday celebration); the iconic ‘Tank’ raincoat by Aquascutum worn during a visit to British Forces at a NATO training ground in Germany in September 1986; a black and white houndstooth tweed wrap, that reverses to fuschia pink, which was worn during her visit to Washington in 1988 (estimate: £800-1,200); and a camel-coloured cashmere coat with a stranded mink collar by Aquascutum that she wore on her official visit to Moscow in March, 1987 (estimate: £1,500-2,500).
The jewellery to be offered in the auction is led by an exquisite Art Deco emerald and diamond necklace by Chaumet, circa 1930. A firm favourite of Mrs Thatcher’s was a George III diamond flower brooch, circa 1800. Margaret Thatcher was widely photographed wearing this brooch both in Britain and abroad, and is wearing the brooch in her official portrait which hangs at 10 Downing Street. Pavé set throughout, the brooch comprises old cushion, pear and circular-cut diamonds.
Providing an insight into Margaret Thatcher’s private world, the sale features 18th, 19th and 20th century English porcelain, glass, gold boxes and silver.
The online only sale will provide a wealth of further opportunities for international collectors. Highlights include a small Fendi hold all of black canvas, with gilt hardware and an Aquascutum silk scarf with emerald green border and houndstooth centre (estimate: £700-1,000); and a glamorous dress and matching coat of shot fuschia pink silk by Tomasz Starzewski which was made for Margaret Thatcher in 2007 (estimate: £500-800).
