**Dame Edna Everage’s Glasses Fetch £37,800 at Auction, Surpassing Estimates by 25 Times**
A pair of glasses belonging to Dame Edna Everage has been auctioned for an astonishing £37,800, significantly exceeding their estimated value of £1,000 to £1,500. The auction, conducted by Christie’s, featured items from the personal collection of the late Barry Humphries, the creator of the beloved character Dame Edna, who gained fame in the UK during the 1970s.
The distinctive yellow-lacquered possum spectacles were among several items sold, with the auction commencing with Dame Edna’s iconic greeting, “Hello Possums.” Christie’s highlighted the sale as a testament to the character’s lasting popularity.
In addition to the glasses, a first edition of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” signed by the author, sold for £138,600, while a painting by Charles Conder fetched nearly £240,000. Two dresses worn by Dame Edna also attracted significant bids, each selling for £21,420—eight times their pre-sale estimates.
The auction, which lasted nine hours and attracted bidders from 41 countries, culminated in a total sale value of £4,627,224, surpassing initial projections. Benedict Winter, head of sale for private and iconic collections at Christie’s London, remarked that these impressive results reflect Barry Humphries’ unique vision and lifelong passion for collecting.
