An iconic evening clutch once owned by Baroness Thatcher is set to headline a forthcoming Halls' auction, continuing collectors’ fascination with one of Britain’s most recognisable political figures.
29/05/2026
There are many divisive figures in modern British history and most of them are former Prime Ministers. Winston Chruchill, Tony Blair and Boris Johnson all fit the bill as splitting opinion and generating heated debate, much as Edward Duke of Windsor had done when he abdicated as King. What they all have in common is a continuing legacy of divided opinion with armies of advocates and detractors still arguing the rights and wrongs of their lives and careers. Fewer of them, though, leave behind them another legacy, the personal possessions that they accumulated and which eventually find their way to the open market as highly sought after collectables and mementos.
Another figure reaching iconic status, and former prime minister, is Margaret Thatcher, whose legacy of possessions is nearly as varied and colourful as her career in politics. A great many items of clothing and accessories as well as objects of Westminster significance, reached the market in two landmark auctions in 2015 at Christie’s in London. Baroness Thatcher’s taste in clothing and extensive wardrobe was legendary, rivalling that of members of the Royal Family. But perhaps one accessory in particular became a leitmotif of the ‘iron lady’, and that was her handbags.
I can still recall the day in 1979 when, at a school assembly, it was announced that Margaret Thatcher had been elected Prime Minister of Great Britain, an event of great significance at the time as the first ever woman to take on the role. Her presence thereafter loomed large in my childhood, all the way through to adulthood, spanning the 1980s and becoming synonymous with that extraordinary decade. Her style, almost as much as her policies, was at the time a major talking point and with an extensive wardrobe of couture and accessories, Baroness Thatcher became, in every sense, an icon. An integral part of her look, even her personality, was her handbag. So important did this accessory become that it spawned a new verb, ‘handbagging’, meaning to brutally crush or humiliate someone. In a 1990 ITN interview, she said that the “‘handbagging’ phrase has been invented by journalists — I’ve never done that.” In the same interview she added that “my handbag is the safest thing in Number 10 — things don’t leak from my handbag — they leak from everywhere else I might say.”
Perhaps Victoria Moss of British Vogue said it best in 2020, when writing on Margaret Thatcher’s image-making, which she said “elevated her from grocer’s daughter to armour-coated power player” and that her handbags were “her most important piece of weaponry.”
At Halls we have very much enjoyed handling no less than three of Baroness Thatcher’s bags. The first, a faux shagreen evening bag by Chaumet, also originated from the Christie’s auction and had been won by the vendor in a Daily Mail competition.
The second was a tan crocodile leather travelling bag, acquired by a retired member of the PMs entourage who had been given it when surplus to requirements. This example had a compartment in the base for Mrs Thatcher to keep her jewellery and toiletries.
 at Halls in 2025.jpg)
The third is due to be auctioned at Halls as part of a timed online auction covering several collecting disciplines. This example is a mauve satin evening clutch bag, decorated with a paste set brooch, acquired by the vendor directly from the 2015 Christie’s sale. Estimated at £4,000-6,000 it is another opportunity for collectors of fashion, admirers of Baroness Thatcher, or aficionados of modern British history to attain one of these legendary objects.
For more information about the sale of the clutch bag, get in touch with our specialist Alexander Clement +44 (0)1743 450 700 or [email protected]
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