Freeman’s | Hindman hosted the sale of “The Private Collection of Secretary Madeleine K. Albright” on May 7-8.
New York—Every lot offered from the private collection of the late former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright sold at auction last week, with the sale garnering quadruple its pre-sale total estimate.
“The Private Collection of Secretary Madeleine K. Albright,” hosted by Freeman’s | Hindman auction house, took place in live and online sales May 7-8.
More than 1,000 bidders registered for the chance to own something from the private collection of the nation’s first female Secretary of State.
Albright was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in 1993 before becoming Secretary of State in 1997. She died in 2022 at the age of 84.
She often used her jewelry as a fashion statement but, more than that, as a diplomatic tool.
The most notable piece sold was Albright’s Bulgari “Fireworks” choker necklace.
It sold for $24,130, double its high estimate of $18,000.
The “Firework” choker with diamonds set in white gold.
Known for her pin collection, which she referred to as her “personal diplomatic arsenal,” Albright’s brooches were the highlight of the auction.
Her patriotic leopard brooch depicted a 14-karat rose gold leopard with pavé white and black diamond fur and marquise-cut emerald eyes holding an American flag made of sapphires, rubies, and more white diamonds.
It sold for $10,795, more than three times its high estimate.
Her collection of suffragette themed jewelry fetched $6,985, almost 10 times the pre-sale estimate of $700 to $900.
This collection included Albright’s “Jailed for Freedom” pins, which were awarded to suffragettes who were imprisoned after picketing in front of the White House in 1917.
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The yellow gold corn husk pin with cultured pearl that was gifted to Albright by her former chief of staff as a 75th birthday gift also sold for more than its $500 to $700 estimate, going for $6,985.
Albright’s Art Nouveau style owl pin sold for almost 20 times its pre-sale estimate, selling for $6,033. Made of silver and enamel, the brooch is based on the designs of Czech painter Alphonse Mucha.
The jewelry box that once held the late former Secretary’s “diplomatic arsenal” also sold for a noteworthy amount of $8,890, 22 times more than the $400 to $600 estimate.
“Presenting Secretary Madeleine K. Albright’s biography of objects at auction has been a profound professional honor,” said Gretchen Hause, senior vice president and co-head of the books and manuscripts department at Freeman’s | Hindman.
“Her remarkable legacy of diplomatic service and trailblazing accomplishments are mirrored in each item of her fine collection, and the global interest it has garnered speaks volumes about her impact on the world stage.”
