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The iconic Mr. Darcy shirt was auctioned off today

ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:

An auction in London today focused on costumes from period dramas, including one very special item.

KERRY TAYLOR: Oh, my word. Everyone's got so excited about this lot. So it's Colin Firth's wet shirt.

AILSA CHANG, HOST:

Oh, yes, the very shirt Colin Firth wore in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's "Pride And Prejudice" - you know, that scene where his character, Mr. Darcy, jumps into a lake?

(SOUNDBITE OF WATER SPLASHING)

SHAPIRO: Then he has that awkward interaction with Jennifer Ehle's Elizabeth Bennet.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE")

JENNIFER EHLE: (As Elizabeth Bennet) Mr. Darcy.

COLIN FIRTH: (As Mr. Darcy) Miss Bennett, I...

EHLE: (As Elizabeth Bennet) I did not expect to see you, sir.

TAYLOR: It was a very sexually charged moment.

CHANG: Kerry Taylor hosted the auction.

TAYLOR: But being the BBC, no nudity is allowed, so hence him having to wear this dripping white shirt.

CHANG: Taylor says that white shirt and moment holds a place in people's hearts.

TAYLOR: We've had so many emails from women and men, actually, who say that, you know, they love this particular production of "Pride And Prejudice." They love this scene. I mean, I remember seeing it and being completely knocked out by it.

SHAPIRO: In fact, Taylor bid on the lot herself, which included Firth's whole outfit from the scene, breeches and all. In the end, she was outbid.

TAYLOR: Gavel raised at 20,000.

(SOUNDBITE OF GAVEL BANGING)

TAYLOR: Sold.

(APPLAUSE)

CHANG: All proceeds from the auction will go to the arts-based organization, The Bright Foundation.

(SOUNDBITE OF MYA SONG, "ANYTIME") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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Gus Contreras
[Copyright 2024 NPR]