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Items from Baroness Thatcher's personal collection to go on sale

350 items from the Collection of The Right Honorable Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven are due to go on sale at Chrisitie's of London in December

Her unmistakable style has seen her cemented in political history as one of the greatest leaders Britain has ever known, thanks to her formidable speeches, unique female touch and no little power dressing. Admirers of Baroness Thatcher, Britain's first and only female Prime Minister, will now be able to own part of political history as it emerges part of her lifetime collection of belongings is to be sold off one by one. A remarkable collection of 350 items is set to be broken up with the blessing of Lady Thatcher's family, to be shared with the public at auction. Picture: Rex Credit: Rex
BECOMING MRS THATCHER Among the highlight of the sale includes the entire wedding outfit worn by the young Margaret Roberts as she took on the name that would come to define her: Mrs Thatcher. Her dress, in midnight blue velvet, will be offered alongside an elegant hat, muff and jewellery in an ensemble treasured by Lady Thatcher for decades. The colour of the wedding dress is understood to have been chosen carefully, and was not white thanks to the bridegroom's previous divorce. Made by Constance Gowns and Suits in Old Bexley, it was accompanied on the wedding day, December 13, 1951, by a blue velvet soft-brimmed cap, complete with a curled pink ostrich feather. The outfit is said to have been inspired by Gainsborough's famous portrait of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, and was captured in an intimate photograph of the happy couple at Wesley’s Chapel in the West End of London. Estimated at up to £15,000, the outfit was stored carefully by Lady Thatcher from that day forth, in a touching insight into her love for husband Sir Denis.
Becoming Mrs Thatcher Among the highlight of the sale includes the entire wedding outfit worn by the young Margaret Roberts as she took on the name that would come to define her: Mrs Thatcher. Her dress, in midnight blue velvet, will be offered alongside an elegant hat, muff and jewellery in an ensemble treasured by Lady Thatcher for decades. The colour of the wedding dress is understood to have been chosen carefully, and was not white thanks to the bridegroom's previous divorce. Made by Constance Gowns and Suits in Old Bexley, it was accompanied on the wedding day, December 13, 1951, by a blue velvet soft-brimmed cap, complete with a curled pink ostrich feather. The outfit is said to have been inspired by Gainsborough's famous portrait of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, and was captured in an intimate photograph of the happy couple at Wesley’s Chapel in the West End of London. Estimated at up to £15,000, the outfit was stored carefully by Lady Thatcher from that day forth, in a touching insight into her love for husband Sir Denis. Picture: PA/EMPICS/Christie's Credit: PA/EMPICS/Christie's
LIFE AS PRIME MINISTER (1979-1990) Highlights from the sale also include items from Lady Thatcher's time as Prime Minister, including one of her famous red dispatch boxes kept by her as a memento of her time in office. Embossed with the royal cypher of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, inscribed ‘Prime Minister’ and numbered ‘1’, it would have carried many of the most important political papers of her day. One of several from her working life, this one was kept by Lady Thatcher after she finished her time as Prime Minister, and it estimated at up to £5,000. A piece of political history, it is accompanied by a signed and bound copy of Lady Thatcher's final speech, delivered in the House of Commons on November 22, 1990.
Life as Prime Minister (1979-1990) Highlights from the sale also include items from Lady Thatcher's time as Prime Minister, including one of her famous red dispatch boxes kept by her as a memento of her time in office. Embossed with the royal cypher of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, inscribed ‘Prime Minister’ and numbered ‘1’, it would have carried many of the most important political papers of her day. One of several from her working life, this one was kept by Lady Thatcher after she finished her time as Prime Minister, and it estimated at up to £5,000. A piece of political history, it is accompanied by a signed and bound copy of Lady Thatcher's final speech, delivered in the House of Commons on November 22, 1990. Picture: CHRISTIE’S Credit: CHRISTIE’S
MARGARET THATCHER & RONALD REAGAN Lady Thatcher's legacy of the 'special relationship' with the United States, cultivated thanks to her warm relationship with President Ronald Reagan, is also represented in the collection. A statue of an American bald eagle, a personal gift from Reagan, is set to fetch up to £8,000. It comes with an inscription reading: 'Presented to the Hon. Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of Great Britain for staunch and spirited support of the market economy principle. The Award was presented by the Hon. Walter H. Annenberg with the best wishes from Ronald Reagan President of the United States June 13th 1984.'
Margaret Thatcher & Ronald Reagan Lady Thatcher's legacy of the 'special relationship' with the United States, cultivated thanks to her warm relationship with President Ronald Reagan, is also represented in the collection. A statue of an American bald eagle, a personal gift from Reagan, is set to fetch up to £8,000. It comes with an inscription reading: "Presented to the Hon. Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of Great Britain for staunch and spirited support of the market economy principle. The Award was presented by the Hon. Walter H. Annenberg with the best wishes from Ronald Reagan President of the United States June 13th 1984." Picture: Sipa Press/REX/Christie's Credit: Sipa Press/REX/Christie's
POWER DRESSING & ‘HANDBAGGING’ While her legacy as a heavyweight politician remains in tact, no collection belonging to Lady Thatcher would be complete without a flicker of fashion. The sale will include a blue suit synonymous with political power dressing, worn during her later political life in the House of Commons.
Power Dressing & 'Handbagging' While her legacy as a heavyweight politician remains in tact, no collection belonging to Lady Thatcher would be complete without a flicker of fashion. The sale will include a blue suit synonymous with political power dressing, worn during her later political life in the House of Commons. Picture: Christie's Credit: Christie's
Other highlights include a pale raincoat by Aquascutum, worn during a visit to British Forces at a NATO training ground near Fallingbostel, Germany in September 1986, in which she drove a tank as photographers watched on. Along with a beige silk headscarf, it is estimated to sell for up to £20,000. Picture: Rex Credit: Rex
A black and white houndstooth tweed wrap, with a fuschia pink lining, is also available for sale at up to £1,200. It was worn during her visit to Washington in 1988, and captured in a photograph with President Reagan.
A black and white houndstooth tweed wrap, with a fuschia pink lining, is also available for sale at up to £1,200. It was worn during her visit to Washington in 1988, and captured in a photograph with President Reagan. Picture: Christie's Credit: Christie's
The complete outfit worn for a Norman Parksinson portrait, which is now in the custody of the National Portrait Gallery, will also be offered along with grey silk blouses, for around £1,000.
The complete outfit worn for a Norman Parksinson portrait, which is now in the custody of the National Portrait Gallery, will also be offered along with grey silk blouses, for around £1,000. Picture: Christie's/CORBIS Credit: Christie's/CORBIS
A selection of handbags, perhaps the most famous items owned by Lady Thatcher in her day, will be sold, including a favourite classic navy blue leather handbag by Launer, London, and a Chanel evening bag. Picture: Christie's Credit: Christie's
EVENINGWEAR and JEWELLERY As well as power suits, the collection stars a range of more elaborate eveningwear tailored to suit Lady Thatcher's tastes. A black cocktail suit, by Tomasz Starzewski, was bought especially for Lady Thatcher's 70th birthday party, attended by the Queen. It is trimmed by new buttons, personally selected and sewn on by Mrs Crawford, as was the politician's habit. The button box itself will also be sold as part of the extensive collection.
Evening and Jewellery As well as power suits, the collection stars a range of more elaborate eveningwear tailored to suit Lady Thatcher's tastes. A black cocktail suit, by Tomasz Starzewski, was bought especially for Lady Thatcher's 70th birthday party, attended by the Queen. It is trimmed by new buttons, personally selected and sewn on by Mrs Crawford, as was the politician's habit. The button box itself will also be sold as part of the extensive collection. Picture: AFP/Christie's Credit: AFP/Christie's
Even glitzier is the jewellery offered, with the highest estimate in the sale going to an Art Deco emerald and diamond necklace by Chaumet from 1930, at up to £180,000.
Even glitzier is the jewellery offered, with the highest estimate in the sale going to an Art Deco emerald and diamond necklace by Chaumet from 1930, at up to £180,000. Picture: Christie's Credit: Christie's
The high end of the collection will also see a 'firm favourite' of Lady Thatcher’s; a George III diamond flower brooch, circa 1800, captured in her official portrait which hangs at 10 Downing Street.
The high end of the collection will also see a "firm favourite" of Lady Thatcher’s; a George III diamond flower brooch, circa 1800, captured in her official portrait which hangs at 10 Downing Street. Picture: Christie's Credit: Christie's
Several examples of Lady Thatcher's pearls will also be sold, including a double string composed of 135 culture pearls.
Several examples of Lady Thatcher's pearls will also be sold, including a double string composed of 135 culture pearls. Picture: Christie's Credit: Christie's
Admirers of Lady Thatcher will also be able to gain an insight into her private tastes, and how she decorated her home. The sale features 18th, 19th and 20th century English porcelain, glass, gold boxes and silver, and includes one piece Lady Thatcher once called her favourite. The 'Latham Centrepiece, Albuhera, 18.6.1811', by Michael Sutty, it is estimated at £1,000 and is an example of Lady Thatcher's collection of porcelain statesmen and people from military history.
Priovate Passions Admirers of Lady Thatcher will also be able to gain an insight into her private tastes, and how she decorated her home. The sale features 18th, 19th and 20th century English porcelain, glass, gold boxes and silver, and includes one piece Lady Thatcher once called her favourite. The "Latham Centrepiece, Albuhera, 18.6.1811", by Michael Sutty, it is estimated at £1,000 and is an example of Lady Thatcher's collection of porcelain statesmen and people from military history. Picture: Christie's Credit: Christie's