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Barry Humphries’ personal collection auction totaled AUD$9 million

Dame Edna Everage's "face furniture" is up for auction.
Barry Humphries Personal Collection auction

On February 13, 2025, the personal art collection of notable Australian actor and comedian, Barry Humphries, was auctioned at Christie’s in London for a total of £4,627,224 (approximately AUD$9,190,829), including the buyer’s premium, far exceeding the expectations of the sale.

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Best known for his iconic characters Dame Edna Everage (“Hello Possums”) and Sir Les Patterson, Barry began this collection in his teens until his death in 2023 after suffering complications from hip surgery, at the age of 89 years old.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 12: (L to R) Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visit Barry Humphries backstage following a performance of “Barry Humphries’ Farewell Tour: Eat Pray Laugh” at the London Palladium on December 12, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images)

According to the auction house, Barry Humphries: The Personal Collection auction led to 241 lot sales and the auction itself went on for almost nine hours. The sale of six works to benefit the Royal Variety Charity led to £60,000 (AUD$ 119,210).

Barry was an eclectic collector. Among the items in the collection were a group of artworks by Australian painter Charles Conder, a collector’s edition of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, and even a selection of items from his character Dame Edna Everage’s Personal Collection. This included her iconic “face furniture” aka glasses like the diamante-encrusted ‘Sydney Opera House’ spectacles and yellow-lacquered possum spectacles — the possum glasses sold for more than 25 times their pre-sale price at £37,800 (AUD$75,000).

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You can find out more information on Christie’s website.

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