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Athena Tennis Girl poster dress sells for £15k | Athena Tennis Girl poster dress sells for £15k |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The white summer dress and other items related to the iconic 1970s Tennis Girl poster have sold for £15,500. | The white summer dress and other items related to the iconic 1970s Tennis Girl poster have sold for £15,500. |
Fieldings Auctioneers said dozens were interested in the lot, which had a guide price of £1,000 to £2,000. | Fieldings Auctioneers said dozens were interested in the lot, which had a guide price of £1,000 to £2,000. |
The image of Fiona Butler, 18, at the University of Birmingham's courts in 1976 was printed by Athena and sold more than two million copies. | The image of Fiona Butler, 18, at the University of Birmingham's courts in 1976 was printed by Athena and sold more than two million copies. |
Carol Knotts, who made the dress aged 12 and was the lot's seller, said she was "astonished" by the sale figure. | Carol Knotts, who made the dress aged 12 and was the lot's seller, said she was "astonished" by the sale figure. |
The image was taken by the late Martin Elliott, who was the boyfriend of Ms Butler at the time. | The image was taken by the late Martin Elliott, who was the boyfriend of Ms Butler at the time. |
'Slice of history' | 'Slice of history' |
Ms Butler, who lives in Worcestershire, was not paid for her modelling. | Ms Butler, who lives in Worcestershire, was not paid for her modelling. |
The dress was on show at Wimbledon before it was auctioned. | |
The tennis racquet from the photo, the dress, a 1979 poster and a 1980s limited edition canvas print were auctioned on the day of the ladies' singles final. | |
Fieldings Auctioneers said an anonymous buyer on the phone claimed them following interest from "registered bidders from all over the world", with the furthest away being in New Zealand. | |
There were eight phone lines open, a "handful of committed people" at the sale room in Stourbridge and "tens of people" interested on the internet, it said. | There were eight phone lines open, a "handful of committed people" at the sale room in Stourbridge and "tens of people" interested on the internet, it said. |
Director Will Farmer said although there was a guide price, the auctioneers never knew what the lot would go for. | Director Will Farmer said although there was a guide price, the auctioneers never knew what the lot would go for. |
He said: "We have nothing to compare it to because it's unique - nothing like it has been sold before. | He said: "We have nothing to compare it to because it's unique - nothing like it has been sold before. |
"You're buying a slice of history and what price is an icon?" | "You're buying a slice of history and what price is an icon?" |
Ms Knotts, a friend of Ms Butler, said she was "kind of amused" by the interest in the poster over the years. | Ms Knotts, a friend of Ms Butler, said she was "kind of amused" by the interest in the poster over the years. |
The 55-year-old barrister, who lives in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, said she did not know the dress was on the poster until her sister at university saw it in 1978. | |
Asked about the auction, Ms Knotts said: "I am astonished because when I made (the dress), I was saving money and it's made a lot of money. | Asked about the auction, Ms Knotts said: "I am astonished because when I made (the dress), I was saving money and it's made a lot of money. |
"It was cheaper to make your clothes than to buy them then, so I used to make quite a lot of clothes. | "It was cheaper to make your clothes than to buy them then, so I used to make quite a lot of clothes. |
"You go to a dinner party and people will say 'what's your claim to fame?' | "You go to a dinner party and people will say 'what's your claim to fame?' |
"And that's the one I've always come up with." | "And that's the one I've always come up with." |
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