Amsterdam museum buys Margaret Thatcher handbag for €22,000

A grey Asprey handbag owned by former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher has been bought by Amsterdam’s specialist handbag museum at a Christie’s auction in London.

According to a Christie’s report on the auction, the bag sold for £16,250 (over €22,000). It had a guide price of between £1,000 and £1,500.

The bag, one of several at the auction, was bought with the help of the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds and the Zabawas charitable foundation, the museum said in a statement.

Thatcher, who’s intimidating way of dealing with her opponents gave rise to the word handbagging, was photographed entering number 10 Downing Street, carrying this handbag around 1981, Christie’s said. She was also photographed with what appears to be this bag when visiting President Reagan at Camp David in December 1984.

The Amsterdam museum has over 5,000 bags and purses in its collection, ranging from rare 15th century examples to modern design.

More than 185 items from Thatcher’s estate were sold at the auction, including dresses, hats, photographs and other political memorabilia. In total, they raised over €4.2m.