These lots were sold in nine sessions over four days from April 23 to April 26, 1996. Sales room space was limited to approximately 2,000 potential buyers per day. Sotheby’s had expected the auction to raise more than $4.6 million (currently $9.4 million, or £7 million). By the time the BBC reported on the second day of the auction, the estimate had skyrocketed.
According to the BBC’s Sam Jaffa, “The most expensive items were those closely associated with the White House.” A children’s rocking horse, priced at $75,000, was sold for $400,000 ($820,000 or £600,000 today). “The people at Sotheby’s never dreamed that this sale would be successful,” he said. There were few bargains. of lowest price The amount paid was $1,250 for six books about Asia. It is a three-strand necklace. fake pearlsIt is estimated to cost between $500 and $700, as seen in the famous 1962 photo of Jackie and her infant son John leading them. The price was $211,500. Her lighter was expected to reach $300, but sold for $85,000. A textbook with clothing graffiti on it sold for $42,500 (currently $87,000 or £64,000).
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The most expensive item was her giant engagement ring, which sold for $2.6 million (currently $5.3 million, or £4 million). The diamond, cut from the 601-carat Lesotho III Diamond, was purchased by Heinz Food Group billionaire Anthony O’Reilly, who the New York tabloids quickly dubbed the Ketchup King. After seeing the diamond in the newspaper, O’Reilly decided to buy it for his wife, Chris, who is part of a Greek shipping company. The second highest price was $1.3 million ($2.7 million today, or £2 million) for the antique French desk on which President Kennedy signed the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in the aftermath of the nuclear test. cuban missile crisis.
Among the most high-profile buyers was actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who at the time was married to President Kennedy’s niece Maria Shriver. His biggest purchase was a pair of Kennedy McGregor golf clubs in a bag inscribed with “JFK Washington DC.” The $772,500 he paid was significantly higher than the expected price of $900. He also purchased a Norman Rockwell presidential painting for $134,500 and a leather desk set for $189,500.
Source: BBC Culture – www.bbc.com
