Personal Collections of Iris Apfel and Barry Humphries Captivate Bidders at Christie’s

As traditional art auctions face increasing market pressures, celebrity estate sales have been drawing strong bidder interest and outperforming expectations. The recent auctions of Unapologetically Iris: The Collection of Iris Apfel (January 31-February 13, 2025) and The Personal Collection of Barry Humphries (February 13, 2025) at Christie’s reflect this market trend, as collectors swoon over tangible connections to cultural icons. Both sales celebrated figures known for their distinctive personal style – Apfel for her maximalist approach to fashion and interiors, and Humphries for his theatrical creation Dame Edna. The Christie’s auctions put rare luxury objects representative of their legacies on display, spanning haute couture, costume jewelry, fine art, and rare books.

Piers Boothman, Senior Director, Valuations, Christie’s London. Photo: Christie’s

Art, Rare Books & Dame Edna’s Relics Find Buyers

Barry Humphries (1934-2023), the Australian comic and satirist best known for creating Dame Edna Everage, was also an avid collector with a deep appreciation for art and literature. His 241-lot personal collection, which included fine art, rare books, and stage memorabilia, was auctioned at Christie’s London on February 13, 2025, achieving a total of $5.8 million.

A pair of diamante-encrusted 'Sydney Opera House' spectacles. Probably 1970s. Photo: Christie’s

Among the most sought-after pieces were Dame Edna’s signature accessories. A pair of diamante-encrusted “Sydney Opera House” glasses exceeded expectations, selling for $47,600 ­– over 25 times its low estimate. Other notable lots included a pair of pink-lacquered spectacles by David Cox ($31,500, est. $1,200-1,800) and a blue-sequined gown by Stephen Adnitt ($4,420, est. $3,700-6,200).

Dame Edna Everage, the character that made Humphries internationally famous, originated in the 1950s as a satire of Melbourne’s suburban housewives. Over decades, she evolved into a flamboyant "megastar," known for her wisteria-hued hair, extravagant wardrobe, and acerbic wit. With her signature greeting – "Hello, Possums!" – and her tendency to treat celebrities as ordinary people (and vice versa), she became a vehicle for sharp social commentary, poking fun at celebrity culture, class pretensions, and political figures alike.

Charles Conder, Sand dunes, Ambleteuse, 1901, oil on canvas. Image: Christie’s

Beyond stage memorabilia, the auction highlighted Humphries’ engagement with art. The highest-selling work, Sand Dunes, Ambleteuse by Australian Impressionist Charles Conder, realized $299,900, within its estimate of $250,540–375,800. Two paintings by Humphries himself performed exceptionally well: Wilpena fetched $26,834 against an estimate of $3,750–6,200, while The Library and Chapel – Quinta da Capela, Sintra, Portugal soared to $31,569, far surpassing its $2,500–3,750 estimate.

Humphries’ literary collection also attracted strong bidding. A first-edition copy of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, inscribed by the author to his publisher, achieved $174,800, aligning with its $126,000–190,000 estimate. Some books, however, vastly outperformed expectations. Aleister Crowley’s The Diary of a Drug Fiend, estimated at $2,500–3,700, achieved an astonishing $41,000. A first edition of Fernando Pessoa’s Antinous, hammered within its $6,300–10,000 estimate, achieving a final sale price including buyer’s premium of $10,333.

Iris Apfel’s Signature Style Commands Strong Results

Christie’s recent online auction Unapologetically Iris: The Collection of Iris Apfel concluded with a sale total of $929,880 – six times over its low estimate. The sale featured over 200 items from the personal collection of the late fashion icon.

Iris Apfel (1921–2024) was an American businesswoman, interior designer, and fashion icon renowned for her bold, eclectic aesthetic. She co-founded the textile firm Old World Weavers with her husband, Carl, and played a key role in White House restoration projects spanning nine presidencies. In later years, she gained global recognition for her extravagant jewelry, oversized glasses, and mix of haute couture with flea market finds. Her 2005 Costume Institute exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art cemented her status as a fashion legend, and she remained a public figure well into her 90s, signing a modeling contract at age 97.

A case of eighteen multicolor and pattern eyeglass frames. Iris Apfel x Zenni, 2021–2022. Photo: Christie’s.

Apfel’s signature eyewear attracted considerable interest. A case of 18 eyeglass frames from her Zenni collaboration, estimated at $400-$600, ultimately sold for $15,120. Another lot featuring 10 designer sunglasses, including pieces from Christian Dior and Emilio Pucci, had an estimate of $200-$300 but achieved $16,380.

Several jewelry lots also saw competitive bidding. A group of multicolor Lucite bangles from Apfel’s Rara Avis collection, initially valued at $300-$500, sold for $6,300, and a selection of bold statement necklaces from the same collection, estimated at $200-$300, achieved $7,560. Apfel’s wardrobe also performed strongly. A black feather coat labeled Dior Haute Couture, estimated at $800-$1,200, sold for $11,970, while a red satin and ostrich feather coat blouse by Christian Dior Boutique, projected at $500-$700, achieved $2,772.

A pair of circular brass hall lights each mounted with a Continental ceramic parrot. The lights, 20th century, the parrots, late 19th/20th century.

Some of the highest results came from Apfel’s home furnishings. A pair of circular brass hall lights mounted with ceramic parrots, estimated at $2,000-$3,000, sold for $40,320. A large Japanese ceramic vase, expected to bring $300-$500, sold for $25,200. A painted leather six-panel floor screen, originally estimated at $4,000-$6,000, realized $18,900. Smaller decorative objects also performed well. A Black Forest-style terrier figure, estimated at $2,000-$3,000, achieved $15,120, and an assembled group of eight Italian tole peinte flower and foliage sculptures, valued at $1,000–$1,500, sold for $6,048.

A second installment of her collection, More Is More and Less Is a Bore, will be offered at Doyle Auctioneers and Appraisers on March 4-5. Given the response at Christie's, it will likely generate further interest.

The Celebrity Auction Trend Continues

The strong results of Unapologetically Iris and the Barry Humphries Personal Collection reflect a broader surge in demand for celebrity auctions. In recent years, these sales have become a significant force in the auction market with Christie’s playing a leading role in this trend.

It has hosted high-profile auctions such as The Collection of Donna Summer (2023), which brought in over $900,000, The Collection of André Leon Talley (2023), which surpassed $3.5 million, The Roger Federer Collection (2021), which raised $4.3 million for charity, and The George Michael Collection (2019), which achieved $13.88 million through its offering of contemporary art, much of it British.

Elton John’s Goodbye Peachtree Road auction in 2024 brought in $20.5 million, more than doubling expectations, with art, fashion, and memorabilia from his career, including a Banksy triptych that sold for $1.9 million. That same year, Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection attracted over 20,000 visitors and raised $951,952 for activist causes, featuring highlights like The Big Picture – Vivienne’s Playing Cards ($47,693) and a silk taffeta corset gown ($41,333).

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