The Australian star, who died in April 2023 aged 89, moved to London in 1959 and lived for four decades in West Hampstead.
Around 250 artworks, books and personal items go under the hammer at Christie’s in February, including a pair of diamante-encrusted spectacles belonging to his comic alter ego Dame Edna.
The stage and screen veteran was much loved for his satirical characters including the high camp of the boisterous Melbourne housewife, and offensive cultural attache Sir Les Patterson.
But he also performed in West End shows such as Maggie May and Oliver!, wrote scripts, produced and appeared in films, toured his one man shows, and contributed a cartoon strip for Private Eye as well as performing in Peter Cook’s 60s comedy venue The Establishment.
The Sydney Opera House spectacles worn by Dame Edna are estimated to sell for up to £1,500, while a first edition of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of being Earnest which is inscribed to Wilde’s publisher has a guide price of £150,000.
Leading the sale, is work is a painting by Charles Conder; Sand Dunes, Ambleteuse with a top estimate of £300,000.
The auction includes 19th century European and symbolist art, with Jean Delville’s L’Oubli Des Passions estimated to sell for up to £180,000, while Le Collier De Medailles by Fernand Khnopff has a top estimate of £100,000.
Benedict Winter, associate director of private and iconic collections at Christie’s London, said: “Barry Humphries is best remembered for his comedic genius, but behind his famous figure was a true polymath and connoisseur.
“His passion for collecting and his insatiable appetite for deepening his knowledge was the driving force behind the acquisition of these fascinating and very diverse works of art.
“This refined and engaging collection provides compelling insights into the private world of this very public performer.”
The full pre-sale exhibition will be on public view from February 7 until February 12 with the sale taking place on February 13.
