LONDON.- Poised to compete across time zones, bidders in Barry Humphries: The Personal Collection were greeted at the start of this much-anticipated auction with the inimitable phrase ‘Hello Possums’ ahead of bidding battles commencing. The sale realised a total of £4,627,224, including buyer’s premium, exceeding the pre-sale high estimate. A celebration of the erudite collection of this comedic genius, the sale welcomed bidders from 41 countries who participated determinedly across works of art, books and highlights of ‘Dame Edna Everage’s Personal Collection’, resulting in the 241 lot sale lasting almost 9 hours.

The sale opened with a joyous appreciation of Humphries’ close friendships with his artistic contemporaries: lot 3 by renowned Australian painter Arthur Boyd depicting Barry Humphries painting at Shoalhaven signed and dedicated 'Happy Birthday Barry, from Arthur Boyd…' and further inscribed 'Please Come Back' sold for £32,760, over three times the pre-sale high estimate (estimate: £6,000 – 10,000). This was followed by four of Barry’s own paintings realising many multiples of their pre-sale estimates, led by lot 7 The Library and Chapel - Quinta da Capela, Sintra, Portugal which sold for £25,200 (over eight times the pre-sale high estimate: £2,000-3,000). The top price of the sale was lot 42 Charles Conder’s painting Sand dunes, Ambleteuse which sold for £239,400. The star of the literary works was lot 160, the remarkable presentation copy of the first edition: number 1 of 12 of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, movingly inscribed by the author to his publisher, which sold for £138,600.

The six works Sold to benefit the Royal Variety Charity (Registered Charity No. 206451) realised more than £60,000 for the charity and were led by lot 17 The Royal Variety Dress and lot 20 Jubilee Girl dress, both designed by Stephen Adnitt, with each realising £21,420, over eight times their respective pre-sale high estimates.

Elsewhere, ‘Edna’s’ enduring appeal was further highlighted by lot 24 a pair of yellow-lacquered 'Possum' spectacles by Anglo American Eyewear selling for more than 25 times their pre-sale high estimate, realising £37,800 (estimate: £1,000-1,500). The sale concluded with a bang when lot 243 ‘The Scream’ tunic by Stephen Adnitt sold for £44,100, over 14 times the pre-sale high estimate (estimate: £2,000-3,000).

Benedict Winter, Head of Sale, Private & Iconic Collections, Christie’s London: “These fantastic results are a testament to Barry’s unique vision and lifelong passion for collecting. Extraordinary prices were achieved for Symbolist art, works on paper, books and of course Dame Edna’s ‘face furniture’ and dresses. Christie’s is incredibly proud to have offered this Iconic Collection at auction, with the results paying a fitting tribute to Barry Humphries and his remarkable legacy.”