Thatcher’s mementoes handbag her outfits

A PASSION for Baroness Thatcher’s political memorabilia has outstripped interest in her outfits, pearls and handbags in an auction of her belongings.

The online part of the sell-off by Christie’s in London, reveals that buyers are flocking to bid for remnants of Lady Thatcher’s career, from her parliamentary secretary’s black box to a signed photograph of Ronald Reagan.

More than 200 items are on offer in a bidding process due to finish tomorrow. The rest of the lots will be sold this afternoon in a live auction.

The collection as a whole is estimated at around £500,000, though insiders privately believe it could reach much more. The online auction so far indicates the sale will significantly top estimates. Bidding for a photograph of Nancy and Ronald Reagan stands at £14,000 – compared with a forecast of £1,500 to £2,500 – after 36 offers.

A cast of Lady Thatcher’s hands stands at £2,400, above a high estimate of £600, while a pen set is at £1,600 compared with its £400-£600 listing.

A jacket embellished with the words “Prime Minister” is up to £3,000 after 31 bids, 10 times its original estimate. The majority of clothes, by contrast, have not yet reached their estimates. One gem set brooch has not received any bids, while political books, academic gowns, portraits of Lady Thatcher and memorabilia relating to Churchill provoke far more interest.