antiquesandartireland.com

A selection of the letters and a photo of Mrs. Kennedy with Fr. Leonard in 1950.

The proposed sale of a  cache of 33 letters written by Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy to Dublin based priest Fr. Joseph Leonard  from 1950-64 has been cancelled.  The treasure trove of private letters had made headlines around the world.  Mrs. Kennedy was intensely private and the letters offered a never before seen glimpse into her inner world. The personal correspondence was to have been sold by Sheppards of Durrow, Co. Laois on June 10.

A spokesman for the vendors, All Hallows College in Dublin, said the auction was cancelled at the behest of its directors and the Vincentian Fathers.  They are in discussions with the Kennedy family on how best to preserve and curate the archive for the future.

(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 13, 2014)

A Colombian emerald ring of over six carats and a graduated antique citrine bracelet are among the lots to covet at O’Reilly’s sale of fine jewellery and silver in Dublin on May 28. The sale takes place, as usual, at Francis St., locus for a number of antique shops in Dublin.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

A Colombian emerald ring the trap cut emerald to stepped baguette diamond shoulders. Emerald 6.59 carats (18,000-22,000).

An antique citrine bracelet (1,000-1,400)

An early 19th century emerald suite of jewellery (16,000-18,000).

A Victorian amethyst riviere necklace (2,500-3,000).

A  one owner auction of movie posters takes place at Whyte’s in Dublin on May 31.  It will be followed later in the  day by a sale of  Rock and Pop memorabilia.  Here is a video on the auction:

This 19th century gold and enamel automaton snuff box sold for US$802,408.

A rare 19th century gold and enamel snuff box was the top lot at Sotheby’s auction of important watches in Geneva.  The masterpiece of Swiss horology – a three compartment box with a concealed timepiece and musical automaton – sold for US$842,408.  It was produced in the workshop of Piguet & Capt in Geneva c1801-04.  The right lid opens to reveal an automaton scene with a seated lady playing the harp and a gentleman tapping his food in beat to the music and moving his forearm. The figures stand beneath a bird jumping from a cage. The sale, for which around 550 watch connoisseurs from across the globe registered to bid, totaled US$11,386,142. There was a world auction record for a Panerai watch when a stainless steel miitary divers wristwatch, Luminor c1955, sold for $478,002.  It was from the colleciton of the late Admiral Gino Birindelli, former commander of the Italian Navy.

Diamond solitaire rings, an Art Deco diamond necklace, watches by  Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Omega, Longines, Bulova, Jaeger le Coultre, Breitling and Raymond Weil, necklaces, bracelet, rings, rubies, sapphire, turquoises, pearls, aquamaries and gold jewellery by leading makers will feature at the James Adam sale of fine jewellery and watches in Dublin on May 20.  The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:

An 18 carat gold necklace by BVLGARI (3,500-6,500). UPDATE: THIS MADE 3,800 AT HAMMER

A Gentleman’s 18 carat gold Calatrava wristwatch by Patek Philippe (3,000-7,000).  UPDATE: THIS MADE 7,500

A double row of cultured pearls, of graduated length to an Art Deco diamond and ruby plaque clasp (20,000-40,000).  UPDATE: THESE WERE UNSOLD

A diamond single-stone ring, composed of a cut-corner emerald-cut diamond within a four-claw setting, to a 14 carat gold hoop, diamond approx. 3.33 carat total (30,000-50,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

A diamond and sapphire necklace (20,000-40,000).  UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD

A pair of natural pearl and diamond earrings (6,000-10,000).  UPDATE: THESE WERE UNSOLD

The copy inscribed by Oscar Wilde.  UPDATE: IT MADE £55,000.

A specially printed copy of The Importance of Being Earnest inscribed by Oscar Wilde to Major James Nelson, the Governor of Reading Gaol during the writer’s term of imprisonment there is to be sold at Bonhams Books, Atlases, Manuscripts and Photographs sale in London on June 18. It is estimated at £40,000 – 60,000.  Numbered 13 out of a presentation edition of 100, it is inscribed “To Major Nelson: from the author.  A trivial recognition of a great and noble kindness. Feb, 99.”  Elsewhere, Wilde was to describe Nelson as: “The most Christlike man I ever met.”

UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £55,000.