An iconic handbag that became associated with Margaret Thatcher's political personality is to be sold at auction.
The classic navy blue leather handbag was a `weapon' often wielded against cabinet ministers and political opponents.
More than 300 items from the late former prime minister's political and personal life will be sold one-by-one at auction next week.
Items include her wedding dress, tank raincoat, jewellery and her red dispatch box.
Christie's staff put on display many items including a handbag by Launer, estimated at between £2,000 to £3,000.
The famous accessory even made it into the Oxford English Dictionary, which now includes a definition of the verb "to handbag" as: (Of a woman) verbally attack or crush (a person or idea) ruthlessly and forcefully: `I saw her last week and got handbagged for 15 minutes'.
The phrase was coined by Conservative MP Julian Critchley with reference to Mrs Thatcher's ministerial style in cabinet meetings.
