Oprah Winfrey Auction
Saturday, Nov. 2nd, 2013 10:00 AM
Register Here to Bid Online!
Kaminski Auctions, located on the North Shore of Boston, has announced a unique auction of home and personal items from the Oprah Winfrey Collection under the hammer of auctioneer Frank Kaminski. The spectacular collection comprises an array of Ms. Winfrey’s privately owned art, antiques, and home furnishings, as well as several personal memorabilia items signed by Oprah herself.
We asked Kaminski’s Diane Riva, Director of Marketing & Publicity, about this one-of-a-kind auction:
When and where is the auction being held?
Saturday, November 2 (10 a.m. PST, 1pm EST) at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club at 3300 Via Real, Carpinteria, CA.
Is there a preview event?
The Auction Preview will be from October 31 to November 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m (PST). A VIP Preview Event will be held on Friday, November 1 (5 p.m. to 8 p.m. PST) at a cost of $100 per person which includes VIP Admission, a catalog, and VIP seating. General Admission is FREE but all admissions to the event must pre-register for tickets online at www.kaminskiauctions.com.
Where have the auction items come from?
The Oprah Winfrey Collection comprises selected items from Ms. Winfrey’s private residences in Maui, Chicago, Indiana, and Santa Barbara, including Continental and English antiques, light fixtures, upholstered furniture, and fine art.
What are some of the signature items?
Hand-wrought iron panels that graced the main staircase of Oprah’s Santa Barbara residence, estimated at $4,000 to $7,000, and a collection of fine English George Smith upholstered furniture, including a singular green and white plaid couch, with down-stuffed cushions and coordinating pillows, valued at $3,000 to $4,000.
Is the collection more classic or contemporary?
In addition to custom-made contemporary items, Oprah has also selected several exceptional European antiques from her collection to add to the sale. One exquisite Louis XVI chest, stamped by the maker “Boudin”, is expected to realize $30,000 to $50,000. The signed piece with detailed inlay and marble top makes this item highly desirable to any collector of fine decorative arts. Of similar quality is a set of Louis XV armchairs in hand embroidered yellow silk upholstery, valued at $20,000 to $40,000.
An impressive collection of works by leading artists Allen Stringfellow, John Kramer, Clementine Hunter, and many others, will complement these stunning antiques.
Are there any personal Oprah memorabilia items in the collection?
Yes, people will have the opportunity to purchase a number of personal memorabilia items autographed by Oprah, including vintage magazine covers, original promotional material for The Color Purple, and even a few of “Oprah’s Favorite Things.” All are now available online to preview and bid on.
Who will benefit from the proceeds of the auction?
All proceeds will benefit a cause close to Oprah’s heart — a college fund for the graduates of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Oprah launched the Academy in 2007, and will celebrate the graduation of its third class of students this year. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation created its College Fund to grant scholarships to its graduates to continue their education.
When and where are the items available for viewing?
All auction items are now ready for viewing now online, and to bid online you need to register on KaminskiLIVE at www.kaminskiauctions.com.
Kaminski Auctions has been serving the national and international antiques markets for over 25 years as a full service auction house and appraisal service for fine art, antiques and estates. With locations in Beverly Hills, San Diego, Palm Desert, New York City at the Manhattan Art and Antiques Center, and two locations in Beverly, Massachusetts, Kaminski Auctions hosts more than 25 auctions a year.