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  • Archive for November, 2015

    MARGARET THATCHER AT AUCTION AT CHRISTIE’S

    Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015

    Mrs Thatcher: Property from the Collection of Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven, will come up at Christie’s in London December. In the year that ‘The Iron Lady’ would have celebrated her 90th birthday around 350 historic and personal lots will be offered across two landmark sales. There will be an auction of 150 lots in London on December 15.  An online only sale of 200 lots opens for bids on December 3 and runs to December 16.

    The sale includes her red leather Prime Ministerial Dispatch box (£3,000-5,000), signed copies of key speeches and an award presented to her from President Ronald Reagan, alongside jewellery, clothes and handbags. Among the most personal lots is Mrs Thatcher’s wedding outfit, as well as much loved early English porcelain, silver and gold boxes. The most valuable lot is an Art Deco emerald and diamond necklace by Chaumet (£120,000-180,000). The property is being sold on behalf of beneficiaries of Baroness Thatcher’s estate as part of the arrangements following her death in 2013. Estimates range from £200 up to £180,000.

    A classic navy blue leather handbag by Launer, London (£2,000-3,000). Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2015.

    A classic navy blue leather handbag by Launer, London (£2,000-3,000). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2015.

    An Art Deco emerald and diamond necklace by Chaumet, circa 1930 (£120,000-180,000)  Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2015.

    An Art Deco emerald and diamond necklace by Chaumet, circa 1930
    (£120,000-180,000) Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2015.

    Margaret Thatcher’s Wedding outfit comprising Mrs Thatcher’s midnight blue velvet wedding dress, with a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves, labelled Constance Gowns and Suits, Old Bexley; a blue velvet soft brimmed cap with a curled pink ostrich feather and a blue velvet muff, with an Art Deco double clip silver and marcasite brooch (£10,000-15,000).

    Margaret Thatcher’s Wedding outfit comprising Mrs Thatcher’s midnight blue velvet wedding dress, with a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves, labelled Constance Gowns and Suits, Old Bexley; a blue velvet soft brimmed cap with a curled pink ostrich feather and a blue velvet muff, with an Art Deco double clip silver and marcasite brooch (£10,000-15,000).  Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2015.

    Red leather Prime Ministerial Dispatch Box (£3,000-£5,000).

    Red leather Prime Ministerial Dispatch Box (£3,000-£5,000). Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2015.

    THE MOST LUXURIOUS ATLAS IN THE HISTORY OF PRINTED MAPS

    Monday, November 2nd, 2015
    The Atlas Major.

    The Atlas Major.

    The first complete edition of the most luxurious atlas in the history of printed maps – Joannes Blaeu’s Atlas Major – comes up at Sotheby’s in London on November 17.  Estimated at £240,000-320,000 it was the largest and most expensive book when published in the 17th century.  Published in 1662 the Atlas Major remains the most magnificent work of its kind ever produced. Sotheby’s describe it as one of the true masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age.

    The Atlas Major covers the entirety of known world in the 17th Century, with particular emphasis on Europe, but with separate volumes dedicated to America and China. At the time of production, the atlas’s cartography, geographical scope and craftsmanship were unprecedented. Comprising 11 large folio volumes, containing 594 engraved maps, plans, and views, all finely coloured by hand in exquisite detail, and nearly 3,000 pages of text, this massive atlas took a team of printers and binders craftsmen many months to produce. Only 300 sets are believed to have been made. Johannes Blaeu succeeded his father Willem as head cartographer at the Dutch East India Company. It will lead an auction of Travel Atlases, Maps and Natural History.

    AN OAK SEVEN DOOR BOOKCASE BY ROBERT STRAHAN

    Monday, November 2nd, 2015
    This seven door Robert Strahan made bookcase was design for a Gothic Revival house in Tralee.

    This seven door Robert Strahan made bookcase was designed for a Gothic Revival house in Tralee.  UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 8,000

    This large oak seven door bookcase is one of a number of fine pieces of furniture by the renowned Dublin makers Robert Strahan from The Mercy Convent, Balloonagh, Tralee, Co. Kerry which auctioneer Denis Lynes will auction at the convent on November 14.  The firm of Robert Strahan was founded in 1776 at Chancery Lane in Dublin.

    The sisters acquired it in the 1920’s at the auction of the Collis-Sandes estate at the Gothic Revival Oakpark House nearby. The estimate on the piece is 5,000-10,000. The entire contents of the Mercy Convent at Rosscarbery have been added to the  Lynes and Lynes sale.

    UPDATE: The auction was a sellout and the bookcase made 8,000.