INTERNATIONAL TOUR: Highlights From The Estate of Lauren Bacall, Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, London W1, 15th – 19th February 2015
The immense living room was primarily a room for entertaining. In the far left corner is Humphrey Bogart’s wrought-iron and steel-inlaid slate games table, and to the left is the Mason & Hamlin ebonized grand piano where Bacall rehearsed for Broadway musicals. Guests, including Leonard Bernstein, would play at the piano during lively cocktail parties.
Bonhams’s Vice President and Director of Business Development Jon King said: ‘Bonhams is delighted to share with the public a rare insight into the world of Lauren Bacall, the accomplished collector. Her collection is a truly a reflection of her extraordinary taste and remarkable life.’
Marcel Vertès (Hungarian, 1895-1961)
‘Marcel Vertès Painting a Portrait of Lauren Bacall’
signed, inscribed and dated Madame Humphrey Bogart quand elle était Betty Bacall / Avec ma fidèle amitié Vertès / 1953 (lower left)
blue pen and ink on paper
12 3/8 x 19 1/4in (31.4 x 48.8cm)
US$1,000-1,500
Now it is our turn here in London to see some of the highlights of the art, antiques and other works that have graced her three homes, especially her last one in New York’s famous Dakota building.
ROBERT GRAHAM (American, 1938-2008)
Elisa, circa 1994
bronze with light brown patina on brass base
height overall 58 5/8in (149cm)
US$20,000-30,000
Among the highlights are bronze maquettes by Henry Moore and bronzes by the famous American sculptor Robert Graham. Her art collection included prints and paintings by artists, including David Hockney, Jim Dine, Richard Avedon, Henry Moore and John James Audubon, Sir Noel Coward, Aaron Shikler, and Georges Wakhevitch.
An amethyst, turquoise and diamond ring
Jean Schlumberger, French
Centering an oval-cut amethyst measuring approximately 14.75 x 13.90 x 10.00mm, within a pavé-set foliate surround, extending turquoise beads, enhanced by circular-cut diamonds; signed Schlumberger, with French assay marks, maker’s mark and signed box.
amethyst weighs approximately 11 carats; estimated total diamond weight 1.55 carats; mounted in 18k gold and platinum; size 7 1/4
US$8,000-12,000
On a more personal level are pieces of her jewellery, some of which was designed by the legendary Jean Schlumberger and a specially commissioned camel brooch by the celebrated English jeweller Elizabeth Gage.
DAVID HOCKNEY (British, born 1937)
Two Pembroke Studio Chairs, from Moving Focus (MCA Tokyo 276; T. 264), 1984
Lithograph in colors on HMP handmade paper, signed in pencil, dated, and numbered 46/98 (there were also 10 artist’s proofs), with the blindstamp of the publisher, Tyler Graphics, Ltd., Mount Kisco, New York, with full margins.
16 x 19in (40.6 x 48.2cm)
sheet 18 7/8 x 22in (47.7 x 55.9cm)
US$5,000-7,000
Miss Bacall wrote of her meeting with Henry Moore at his studio in 1975 ‘It was and will be ever a high point of my life … [it was the] realization of a dream.’ I must admit to feeling something similar when I briefly met her a few years ago here in London.
HENRY MOORE O.M., C.H. (British, 1898-1986)
Standing Man and Woman
signed and numbered Moore 7/9 (on the reverse of the base)
bronze with gold patina, cast in an edition of 9+1 in 1981
height 7 1/4in (18.5cm)
US$40,000-60,000
Opening hours are 9am – 4.30pm, and admission is free.
The auction is at Bonhams New York on 31st March and 1st April.
Tim Forrest's E & A 