Fashion collection fetches £40,000 at auction

Amassed by an unnamed Yorkshire woman over the past 30 years, the collection ranged from silk dresses crafted on handlooms in London’s bustling Spitalfields Market, to modern day designer handbags.

Tennants was so struck by the sheer range of vintage costumes and textiles, that it set up an exhibition of the clothes before Friday’s sale at its Leyburn-based auction centre.

Attracting over 1,200 visitors, the display proved so popular it led to one of the busiest sales to date for Tennants – with phone bidders from across the world clamouring to get their hands on a slice of fashion history.

Co-organiser of the sale Jane Tennant said: “The saleroom was packed and a bidding war on four Cecil Beaton water colour sketches made for a great atmosphere in the room. The sketches each went for over £700, despite estimates of £100-£150. A 19th century ivory fan went for £2,000, which was more than double its original estimate. All in all it was a great sale, which was down to the week-long exhibition.”

The auction house is currently accepting lots for its next textiles sale in January.