Sotherby ends a 4 day auction of Jackie Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's estate takes in $34.5 million
In New York on this day, the glitzy garage sale of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's estate ended with Sotheby's cash registers totalling $34.5 million in sales. Second highest price was $1.3 million paid for the antique French desk where President Kennedy signed the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
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The final item was Kennedy's 1992 green BMW 325i four-door sedan which was valued at $18,000-$22,000. With many items bring 30 times and more of their estimated price, speculators were bantering figures around $1 million for the car. It went for a mere $70,000.
But an oak rocking chair that sold just before the car, and had a pre-sale estimate of $3,000 to $5,000, went for $453,500.
Kennedy had a bad back and often used a rocker. Two were sold at this auction. The rocker had the fifth highest sale price for a single item in the four-day nine-session auction.
Top price went for the 40-karat Lesotho diamond engagement ring which H.J. Heinz Co. chairman Tony O'Reilly picked up for his wife Chrysanthie at $2.59 million.
The diamond was commissioned by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis as an engagement present for Jackie. Diana Brooks, president and chief executive officer of Sotheby's said the wildcat bidding in the auction reflected the awe and respect Jackie Onassis still commanded.
'It is her grace and style, her dignity, her courage that are behind the results of his past week.
'People have bid and bought at this auction because she and President Kennedy have touched our lives in a profound and moving way,' Brooks said.