LONDON.- Christies will offer Mrs Thatcher, Part III, an online sale which will be open for bidding between 2 and 9 May 2019. Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of Margaret Thatchers historic election as the United Kingdoms first female Prime Minister (1979-1990), this constitutes the third and final part in a trilogy of auctions held as part of the arrangements following the death of Mrs Thatcher in 2013. Comprising 170 lots, spanning items relating to Mrs Thatchers time in office, personal possessions, her uniform jewellery, clothes and handbags, estimates range from £100 to £15,000. The sale is now available to view
online in full.
The sales began in 2015 when Part I and Part II attracted a global audience, selling 100% and totalling £4,516,038/ $6,831,487/ 6,189,443. Part III will provide further public and private insights into the trajectory of a political titan, presenting unique opportunities, across price levels, for collectors around the world to acquire property from the longest serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the 20th century.
Adrian Hume-Sayer, Director, Specialist, Private Collections: The markets response to the historic sales in 2015 - both the online sale and the traditional live auction - was remarkable, with the overall result for The Mrs Thatcher Collection Part I and II far exceeding pre-sale expectations. Clients from all over the world seized the opportunity to acquire items which gave insights into the life of Britains first female Prime Minister, who was a political giant on the world stage. In May 2019, Christies third and final sale in this trilogy of auctions coincides with the 40th anniversary of Mrs Thatchers historic election, offering collectors, admirers and enthusiasts with one last chance to bid for a memento of The Iron Lady.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Evocative lots of note include her uniform jewellery, comprising a hardstone bracelet and amethyst ring, gifts from her husband, Denis, which were always worn alongside a pearl necklace. The ring or bracelet were worn for almost all occasions, from the day Mrs Thatcher entered Number 10 Downing Street in May 1979, to her historic meetings with global figures - including Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan and Nelson Mandela and beyond.
A hardstone-mounted gold bracelet of vari-shaped cabochons Estimate: £2,000-3,000
A gift from her beloved husband Denis, this was part of Mrs Thatchers uniform jewellery
An 18-carat gold and amethyst ring, London import mark, 1968 ring size M½ Estimate: £1,200-1,800 This was also part of Mrs Thatchers uniform jewellery
A sapphire, diamond and cultured pearl necklace Circular-cut sapphires, rose-cut diamonds, cultured pearls of approximately 8.0-7.5mm, 44cm Estimate: £600-800
A diamond-set gilt Cartier pen, 1980s, signed Cartier, numbered, in red Cartier box Estimate: £300-500
A Victorian silver-plated snuffbox Estimate: £200-300
Margaret Thatcher's House of Commons desk blotter, sold with a silver letter opener, with the arms of the Worshipful Company of Grocers; a bound copy of Parliamentary Debates, vol. 1000; a ball-point pen; three note cards and a printed menu £800-1,200 The blotter sat on Mrs Thatchers desk in her Chester Square study until the end of her life
a group of desk items
This House of Commons portcullis-emblazoned green leather blotter was on the desk in Mrs Thatchers last study.
Henry Moore (1898-1986), Head of a Woman soft-ground, inscribed II/X For/Margaret Thatcher, etching, 1981 Estimate: £800-1,200 A great fan of Moore, Mrs Thatcher hung this work over the mantel in the drawing room of her private apartment at No. 10
A Vienna porcelain tea-service Last quarter 20th century, printed factory marks, blue painted numerals The teapot - 8 in. (21 cm.) high Estimate: £1,200-1,800 Mrs Thatchers interest in porcelain is well known and this service is part of a group of treasured porcelain, which she bought for herself
A pair of George V silver napkin rings, 1925, one engraved Denis 10.5.1915 and the other Margaret 13.10.1925, Estimate: £200-300 One of a large number of engraved silver objects in the sale
A Library Globe, George Philip & Son, London, 1988, overall height 41.1/2 in. (108 cm.) Estimate: £1,500-2,500 This stood in Mrs Thatchers office, the sale also includes a portrait of Mrs Thatcher with the globe
Two evening ensembles by Camilla Milton, early 2000s Estimate: £1,000-1,500 The blue outfit was worn to the dinner at 10 Downing Street to celebrate the HM Queen Elizabeth IIs Golden Jubilee, attended by the Queen and all surviving Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom; Mrs Thatcher wore the gold ensemble to the unveiling of her statue in the House of Commons
Autograph speech notes, prepared for a speech at a dinner given in honour of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan by Lodwrick Cook, chairman of the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), Claridge's, 5 December 1990, Mrs Thatchers speech pays tribute to Reagan Estimate: £700-1,000
Portrait by Eiichiro Sakata, taken during a visit to Japan, signed and dated in pencil; dedicated 'For Mrs. Thatcher 'Sakata' Nov 21, 91' ink Estimate:£1,000-1,500 Hung in her office, Mrs Thatcher is known to have favoured this likeness and once remarked this is how I would like to be remembered
Printed list of Prime Ministers Engagements from Mrs Thatchers final day in office Estimate: £400-600 This would almost certainly have been carried in Margaret Thatchers handbag throughout the day.
A lizard handbag, with goldtone hardware Estimate: £800-1,200 Mrs Thatcher was rarely seen without one of her signature handbags.