Similarly, Jackie Kennedy���s estate included modernist
paintings, Latin American artifacts, traditional American
and European antiques, all of which had pride of place
in residences at Hyannisport, Martha���s Vineyard, Virginia,
New Jersey or New York. They also attained sizeable
auction results as much for their quality as for their celebrity.
However unique the Jackie Kennedy story, one hopes that
buyers would have the same passionate interest today at
estate sales of similar quality, if less famous.
Years ago, entering a Sotheby���s sale quite late, I saw
an image on the screen, Lot Number 100. I seemed to
recognize it, but could not place it exactly. Instinctively,
I began to bid, purchasing it for a very modest amount.
When I unwrapped it at home on the back I read ���1007.026
Young Beauty in Park (le Bourgeois) Verified in Greentree,
Main Entry and Telephone room. Verified by: JH, Date
2/17/2000.��� On another tag, it read ���2.67.3 Beardsley ���
w-29.���
However small in dimension and unimportant in the
larger scheme, I remembered this Beardsley image from
when I made a telephone call at the Whitney residence
many years before. Inscribed on my memory, it informed,
subliminally, my artistic taste, however modestly. Although
aesthetically the Beardsley depicts a beautiful woman, it
does not emanate from an artistic movement that is my
favorite. But I am pleased that it serves as a souvenir of a
period in my life when I learnt that a diversity of artifacts, of
different styles, values and periods, enriches one���s taste
and one���s life.
HYLAND
