"It was a white-glove Christmas auction of singer and actor Bing Crosby's personal collection, which made a 100% sell-through rate and $6.7m at Sotheby's in New York last night against an estimate of $3.9m to $6.3m (totals include buyer's premium; estimates do not). Among the most festive lots were the musical arrangements for Crosby's 1954 hit musical film, White Christmas, which flew six times over the low estimate to fetch $19,050."
"Other highlights included a Tiffany & Co silver-gilt cigarette box gifted to Crosby by the former US president John F. Kennedy, which soared to $15,240, more than five times its high estimate. The box commemorates JFK's 1962 visit to Crosby's Palm Springs home after plans to convene at Frank Sinatra's residence changed at the last minute. In his biography, Donald Spoto claims that Marilyn Monroe told friends she slept with Kennedy during that visit, though Kennedy always denied he had an affair with the actress."
"The top prices were achieved for paintings by Sir Alfred James Munnings ($1.2m) and Charles Marion Russell and a rare Fabergé sapphire model of a mouse, which fetched $355,600, more than five times its high estimate. The sale rounds out a successful first season for Sotheby's in its new Breuer building headquarters, which has been marked by blockbusting single-owner auctions."
An auction of Bing Crosby's personal collection achieved a 100% sell-through at Sotheby's New York, realizing $6.7m against estimates of $3.9m–$6.3m (totals include buyer's premium). Highlights included musical arrangements for the film White Christmas fetching $19,050, Kathryn Crosby's ivory matelassé and fox fur evening coat selling for $1,524, and a Tiffany & Co silver-gilt cigarette box gifted by John F. Kennedy reaching $15,240. A Sheraton-style grand piano from High Society sold for $95,250 after intense bidding. Top prices included paintings by Sir Alfred James Munnings ($1.2m) and a Fabergé sapphire mouse at $355,600.
Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events
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