Press Release  December 13, 2018

Auction Highlights from Lady Blue Eyes: Property of Barbara and Frank Sinatra

Courtesy Sotheby's

Norman Rockwell, Sinatra: An American Classic (Portrait of Frank Sinatra), 1973
Estimate $80/120,000 
Sold for $687,000

It was a fight to the very end as Sotheby’s dedicated auctions of Lady Blue Eyes: Property of Barbara and Frank Sinatra concluded last week, bringing the series total to an outstanding $9.2 million. The final sale of Lady Blue Eyes: Online – offering film & entertainment memorabilia, fine art, jewelry, books, personal accessories, glassware, and political memorabilia – anchored the series, more than quadrupling expectations to achieve $1.5 million, with 99% of lots sold.

The Sinatra’s collection of American Art performed particularly well, with three works selling for more than $300,000. The group was led by Norman Rockwell’s Sinatra: An American Classic (Portrait of Frank Sinatra), which sold for $687,000 after a four-minute bidding battle between six collectors (estimate $80/120,000). Commissioned by Frank in 1973, the portrait hung in Barbara’s Los Angeles penthouse.

Sotheby's auction of Magnificent Jewels was led by a stunning selection of jewelry from Barbara Sinatra's personal collection, with all 39 pieces selling for a total of $4.7 million. Barbara’s emerald-cut 20.60-carat Diamond Engagement Ring, which was presented to her by Frank in a glass of champagne, led the collection, selling for $1,695,000 after an intense competition between 5 bidders (estimate $1/1.5 million). Mrs. Sinatra’s signed jewels were highlighted by a sophisticated Mystery-Set Ruby and Diamond Butterfly Brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, which realized $567,000–well above its high estimate of $175,000. A total of 60 pieces of Barbara’s fine jewelry collection offered across the three sales, sold for a combined total of $5 million, with every piece finding a buyer. 

Tiffany Studios, “Peony” Table Lamp, circa 1915
Courtesy Sotheby's

Tiffany Studios, “Peony” Table Lamp, circa 1915 
Estimate $70/100,000 
Sold for $87,500

Fritz Scholder, Indian On A Blue Horse, 1968
Courtesy Sotheby's

Fritz Scholder, Indian On A Blue Horse, 1968
Estimate $20/30,000
Sold for $43,750

Barbara Sinatra's Diamond Engagement Ring
Courtesy Sotheby's

Barbara Sinatra's Diamond Engagement Ring, 20.60 carats, Van Cleef & Arpels
Estimate $1/1.5 million
Sold for $1,695,000

Igor Mitoraj, Centurione, circa 1986
Courtesy Sotheby's

Igor Mitoraj, Centurione, circa 1986, number 2 from an edition of 6
Estimate $20/30,000
Sold for $162,500

Color Photograph Inscribed to Frank Sinatra by Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon.
Courtesy Sotheby's

Four Presidents Signed Photograph. Color Photograph Inscribed to Frank Sinatra by Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon.
Estimate $10/15,000
Sold for $68,750

Hand-Crocheted Yarmulke, with Musical Note and "Frank" Border.
Courtesy Sotheby's

Hand-Crocheted Yarmulke, with Musical Note and "Frank" Border
Estimate $200/400
Sold for $9,375

Frank Sinatra, Untitled, 1989.
Courtesy Sotheby's

Frank Sinatra, Untitled, 1989
Estimate $2/3,000
Sold for $93,750

Mystery-Set Ruby and Diamond Butterfly Brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels
Courtesy Sotheby's

Mystery-Set Ruby and Diamond Butterfly Brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels
Estimate 175,000
Sold for $567,000

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