Barry Humphries’ iconic items fetch millions of dollars at sale in London

A collection of Barry Humphries’ most iconic outfits and accessories - including glasses worn by Dame Edna - have gone under the hammer in London, fetching millions of dollars.

The personal collection of items belonging to Australian icon Barry Humphries ranging from his iconic sequined gowns and glasses, to artwork, books and sculptures sold for millions of dollars to eager bidders from around the globe.

A pair of his famous yellow-lacquered ‘possum’ spectacles sold for £37,800 (A$75,300) and well above the estimated price of between about £1,000, while a pink scarlet chiffon evening gown fetched £21,420 and was more than 14 times the estimated price of £1500.

The 89-year-old’s extravagant wardrobe collection he collated while working alongside designers including Stephen Adnitt – who helped him craft the unique costumes that brought Dame Edna Everage’s vivacious character to life – also went under the hammer.

Among those at the auction at Christie’s auction house in St James included Mr Humphries’ wife Elizabeth Spender who sat in the front row as she watched the sale of more than 240 items alongside many onlookers with most items fetching well over their estimated price.

Mr Humphries’ artwork – both his own and pieces from other renowned artists – also drew huge interest including a painting by him titled the Library and Chapel – Quinta da Capela, Sintra, Portugal, which sold for £25,200 and was more than eight times its estimated price at£2,000.

A mix of sequined gowns belonging to Barry Humphries for sale at Christie's in London. Picture: Sophie Elsworth

Another piece by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt from the late 1800s featuring gold leaf, charcoal and pastel on paper sold for £132,300, more than five times its estimate of £25,000.

Mr Humphries, who was known for his arrays of talent including as a comedian, actor, author and satirist and his stage characters Dame Edna and Sir Les Patterson, died on April 22, 2023 in Sydney after suffering a fall following complications with hip surgery.

He spent decades living in the UK and married four times, he has two daughters and two sons from his second and third marriages.

A collection of cartoons and drawings for auction at Barry Humphries' sale of his personal collection at Christie's in London. Picture: Sophie Elsworth.

SA’s agent-general David Ridgway was among the hundreds of people attending the auction at Christie’s auction house in central London and said the huge interest in his collection of items reflected how much he is loved around the world.

“It was wonderful to see such strong support for the collection of one of Australia’s icons, people from bidding in person, online, telephone, there was really strong support for great Australian talent,” he said.

“There’s a wonderful collection of his fine art he collected and also some of the iconic glasses and gowns that made Dame Edna famous were there for auction today with bids coming from all over the world”.

Proceeds from some of the items will go to Britain’s Royal Variety Charity and to his family.

Originally published as Barry Humphries’ iconic items fetch millions of dollars at sale in London