Wealthy jewelry collectors, movie buffs, and the curious have all set their sights on this week's auction of Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor's collection of jewelry, couture, and, memorabilia.
And if the big show at Christie's, which was more elaborately presented than many museum exhibits, gives a clue as to what the auction will look like, there will be a lot of interest.
The ten-day preview has sold out of tickets, with 25,000 sold at $30 (22.3 euros) each. The auction, which will kick off Tuesday night with world-renowned Taylor jewelry, "has generated unprecedented pre-sale interest with registrants from all corners of the world," said Marc Porter, president, and director of Christie's Americas. "We are delighted with the worldwide interest in the auction," said Porter. "And participation in online-only auctions in every category - jewelry, fashion, and souvenirs - is on the rise."
The extensive collection of the Hollywood actress, who died in March at age 79, includes some 1,000 low-priced pieces that will be auctioned off online from December 3-17. A world tour of highlights from Taylor's collection drew crowds in Hong Kong, Moscow, Los Angeles, and London.
Porter, who worked closely with Taylor for a decade as she thought about what to do with her collection when she died, said the star "gave us an idea of what she wanted the sale to go like" and gave us an order we've taken to heart: "Give them a really good home!"
Richard Burton Gifts
Although the couture, art, decorative objects, and accessories that are auctioned during a week are expected to raise more than 50 million dollars, the most anticipated are the sales of her jewelry on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Among the pieces are some 269 diamonds, pearls, rubies, chokers, and even a tiara, with several of the most valuable being the pieces Taylor received during her turbulent affair with actor Richard Burton, whom she married and divorced two years ago. times.
Christie's, without argument, has announced that the show is the largest private collection of jewelry in auction history, surpassing even those of Doris Duke and the Duchess of Windsor. Leading Tuesday's sale is a ring with a 33.19-carat diamond, a gift Burton bought at auction for $300,000 and which he gave to the actress in 1968.
Among the oldest pieces is a 203-grain (equivalent to 55 carats) pear-shaped pearl from the 14th century owned first by Mary Tudor and later by Spanish queens Margarita and Isabella.
Burton bought it in 1969 at auction for $37,000, and Taylor commissioned Cartier to design a new ruby and diamond choker. It is estimated that it will sell for between 2 million and 3 million dollars.
At the other end of the spectrum, bidders will have the chance to win diamond engagement rings from Taylor's marriage to Burton, valued at just $6,000 to $8,000.
From Mike Todd, another of Taylor's seven husbands, is an antique diamond tiara that the star wore to the 1957 Oscars where Todd's film "Around the World in 80 Days" won the award for the best movie. It has an estimated price of between 60,000 to 80,000 dollars. Some 70 of Taylor's most famous clothing items will go up for auction Wednesday night.
The show includes a Versace jacket emblazoned with images of the actress in some of her famous movie roles, which is expected to sell for up to $20,000.
The yellow gown by Hollywood designer Irene Sharaff that Taylor wore to her wedding to Burton in 1964 has an estimated retail price of $40,000 to $60,000.
