25,000 Pounds Buys Christie’s Bidder A Piece of History

On June 27, Christie’s in London auctioned off one of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s legendary handbags for a less-than-expected 25,000 pounds.

Thatcher’s for 30 years, the black leather Asprey handbag is iconic for may reasons; she was carrying the bag during Cold War negotiations with United States President Ronald Reagan in the US in 1985. And, while Thatcher is well known for her role as prime minister, she is also recognized as the creator of the verb “handbagging,” or the practice of striking people with her purse.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit charities, including a British charity that helps people with a genetic skin condition and Combat Stress, another UK charity that caters to the mental health of ex-service men and women.

The bidder’s identity remains private aside from the knowledge that he or she called in from Cyprus, was a student in Britain during Thatcher’s term as prime minister, and now owns a famed handbag that doubles as a weapon.

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