New York family buys $18,000 Cole Porter table at Waldorf Astoria auction after eating festive dinner at it for years - as 80,000 items from the NYC landmark sell for $1.5 million
The Waldorf Astoria Hotel raised $1.5million during its month-long auction of 80,000 items from its lavish interiors, including a table used by Cole Porter that sold to a New York family for $18,000.
John Clark and his family celebrated many Christmas dinners in the 6,000 square foot suite where the musician lived between 1934 and 1964.
When he learned that the mahogany table and the 12 French Empire-style dining chairs from the Porter suite were going up for auction, he drove to the Silver City Galleria mall, south of Boston, to bid on the items.
The 35-year-old graphic designer told the New York Post that the table 'came up at about 11.45 at night and I was the only one left in the mall with a paddle'.
'Everyone else was bidding by phone,' Clark, who eventually won the table, recalled.
The Waldorf Astoria Hotel raised $1.5million during its month-long auction of 80,000 items from its lavish interiors, including a table (pictured) used by Cole Porter that sold to a New York family for $18,000
John Clark and his family (pictured) celebrated many Christmas dinners in the 6,000 square foot suite where the musician lived between 1934 and 1964
When Clark (left) learned that the mahogany table and the 12 French Empire-style dining chairs from the Porter suite were going up for auction, he drove to the Silver City Galleria mall, south of Boston, to bid on the items. Clark's family members are seen posing with a portrait of Cole Porter
The 35-year-old graphic designer (family pictured) said the table 'came up at about 11.45 at night and I was the only one left in the mall with a paddle'
The winning bid was for $18,000 with an additional 20 per cent commission to Kaminski Auctions, the company that helped the owners of the hotel raise the money.
Clark told the Post that he plans on gifting the table and chairs to his older brother Dave, who is building a new home in San Diego for his family-of-five.
'The table is really special to us, and I am really happy that we are keeping it in the family,' Clark said.
The auction was held from October 17 to November 15 and in addition to items from the Porter suite, other pieces included grand pianos, chandeliers, 19th century French furniture and pieces from suites used by Edward VIII and Wallace Simpson and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
The sale comes as the swanky hotel undergoes a $1billion renovation and all the proceeds will go to support the renovation of the exteriors and gardens of the St Bartholomew’s Church and Community House, a landmark located across the street from the hotel.
Outside Cole Porter's suite is a plaque dedicated to the musician, who wrote some of his most famous works while living at the Waldorf Towers
A marble top cabinet with porcelain medallions and intricate inlay designs, located in the Cole Porter Suite, was priced between $1,000 and $1,500 for the auction
The Cole Porter suite: The American music composer and playwright lived at the Waldorf Towers from 1934 to 1964 in a sweeping 6,000-square-foot apartment
A French burl wood serpentine front chest of drawers that is part of Porter's suite went up for auction with an estimated worth between $800 and $1,200. An oil portrait of George Washington on a horse by an unknown artist that Porter displayed in one of his rooms is estimated to be worth between $500 to $1,500
A view of composer Cole Porter's 1907 Steinway grand piano on display at the Waldorf Towers. It is to be restored and placed back on display
A plaque on the historic piano (pictured) explains how it was owned by Cole Porter in his music career
For months the auction house worked tirelessly to catalogue all of the items, that were transported in 88 tractor trailers from the glamorous hotel in New York City to the mall.
'Many of the pieces for auction have been a witness to history, and we are excited to see them find new life in the homes of avid collectors,' Andrew Miller, CEO of Daija US, the owner and developer of Waldorf Astoria New York, stated in a press release.
Items from the Windsor Suite, the Presidential Suite, and the Royal Suite were up for auction. Art, chandeliers, and décor from the famous Bull and Bear bar, La Chine restaurant, and Peacock Alley, were also auctioned.
The legendary and landmark hotel became a beacon of glamour and luxury where the world’s leaders and Hollywood’s elite stayed.
The Waldorf Astoria first opened its doors in 1931 in New York City and at the time was the largest and tallest hotel in the world.
Today the hotel is still a treasure of the city, known for its original Art Deco design.
While living at the Waldorf Towers, Porter penned some of his most famous plays and pieces including ‘Don’t fence me in’ and ‘You’re the top, you’re a Waldorf salad.’
His famed 1907 Steinway Grand Piano is on display at the hotel.
For months the auction house worked tirelessly to catalogue all of the items, that were transported in 88 tractor trailers from the glamorous hotel (pictured) in New York City to the mall
Duke and Duchess of Windsor Suite: Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson lived at the glamorous hotel as they engaged in the New York social scene following his abdication in 1936. The two stayed at the hotel’s royal suite on the 42nd floor, but were forced out to another apartment when Queen Elizabeth II arrived for her first state visit to the US in 1957. To make up for the inconvenience the hotel management offered to re-upholster the furniture and paint the apartment Simpson’s favorite shade of pale blue
The Duke and Duchess stayed at the hotel between 1941 and 1961 and would primarily come into the city for the social season in the fall. The couple pictured entering the Waldorf Astoria hotel
An overview of the expansive auction floor showed numerous items that would be sold during what CEO Frank Kaminski called 'a once-in-a-lifetime event'
People looking at Needlepoint pug pillows featuring portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's favorite dogs from their Astoria Waldorf Suite
One of the most prominent pieces from Porter’s apartment is the library designed by interior designer Billy Baldwin, who covered the walls with tortoise-shell vinyl in 1955 and included brass tube bookshelves into his design. One of those shelves is estimated at $1,200 to $1,500, according to the New York Post.
Other key pieces up for auction from his site include imported parquet flooring from a chateau in France and oriental rugs.
Venetian silk pillows in orange and red will be on sale estimated at $80 to $100 each.
An oil portrait of George Washington on a horse by an unknown artist that Porter displayed in one of his rooms is estimated to be worth between $500 to $1,500.
A serpentine French marble cabinet with hand-painted porcelain plaques that were displayed in the reception hall are priced between $1,000 to $1,500.
Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson also lived at the glamorous hotel while they engaged in the social scene following his abdication in 1936.
Winston Churchill Suite: Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill stayed at the hotel’s suite on the 39th floor during his visits to the US in the 1930s and after World War II. The sophisticated suite features wood-panel walls, red curtains and a grand piano
The door to the Winston Churchill suite featuring a plaque emblazoned with his name on it went up for sale, estimated between $300 and $500. Churchill (right) speaking at a banquet in his honor at the Waldorf Astoria hotel on March 15, 1946 where he said peace in the world depends upon the cooperation of Great Britain and the United States
A view of the wood-panel and marble fireplace inside Churchill's suite above
Red print curtains from Churchill's suite will also be on auction this month
A 19th century bronze statue featuring Poseidon was taken from the Winston Churchill Suite and is being estimated for as much as $2,500
Pictures snapped of Winston Churchill by a hotel staff photographers during his visits are being auctioned off for up to $300 each
This 13-piece porcelain tea-set found in The Duke and Duchess of Windsor Suite will be featured in the auction with the estimated price ranged between $800 and $1,200
These two needlepoint pillows of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's favorite dogs (pictured) atop a beautifully adorned bench could cost up to $200 each
The legendary and landmark hotel became a beacon of glamour and luxury where the world’s leaders and Hollywood’s elite stayed. The Waldorf Astoria first opened its doors in 1931 in New York City and at the time was the largest and tallest hotel in the world. A view of a black grand piano up for auction above
In 1993 the city named the Waldorf Astoria - and its spectacular interiors - an official New York City landmark. A view of two upholstered ivory and wood chairs pictured up for auction
Every president since Herbert Hoover has stayed here, including President Obama, who sleeps in the 35th floor Presidential Suite every time he’s in town. A view of an elegant table up for auction above
The two stayed at the hotel’s royal suite on the 42nd floor, but were forced out to another apartment when Queen Elizabeth II arrived for her first state visit to the US in 1957.
To make up for the inconvenience the hotel management offered to re-upholster the furniture and paint the apartment Simpson’s favorite shade of pale blue.
The action will include Charles X black lacquered wood-and-gilt benches upholstered in ‘Wallis Blue’ fabric that were placed in the suite’s reception area. Those will start at $1,000 for the pair.
A porcelain 13-piece tea-set, designed by the Royal Porcelain Factory, estimated to be worth between $800 and $1,200, is also up for bidding.
Needlepoint pug pillows featuring portraits of the couple’s favorite dogs will also be on sale between $100 and $200 each.
Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill stayed at the hotel’s suite on the 39th floor during his visits to the US in the 1930s and after World War II.
The 80,000 items that were auctioned off in Massachusetts were lined up in front of storefronts and in walkways
A man is seen browsing through items at the Waldorf Astoria auction in the one-million-square-foot Silver City Galleria mall in Massachusetts last month
Some iconic items, such as the Spirit of Achievement statue that graces the Park Avenue entrance, the 1893 World’s Fair Clock (above) which anchors the central lobby, Porter’s Steinway grand piano, a John F. Kennedy Rocking Chair will be restored and put back on display at the hotel
One of the most expensive items on auction is this Steinway and Sons baby grand black ebonized piano that was housed in the Saudi Arabian Suite at the hotel. The auction site estimates it will go for $5,000 to $8,000
This Philadelphia Chippendale-style Mahogany wardrobe is estimated to bid for $3,500 - $5,500. A pair of French Empire style black and gold bench seat with leopard print upholstery that were featured in the Cole Porter room are estimated to bid for $500 - $700
A French gilt and white painted console table with marble top (pictured) went on sale
These orange upholstered chairs are one of the thousands of elegant items that went up for sale in the auction
The Waldorf has also featured in countless movies including Scent Of A Woman, Coming To America and the 1945 Ginger Rogers film Week-End at the Waldorf. A view of an ornate gold mirror up for auction above
Elaborate crystal chandeliers from the lavish hotel are also up for auction, worth thousands of dollars a piece. The chandelier on the right is valued at $1,300
Some items from sophisticated wood-paneled suite include black-and-white framed photographs of Churchill in his soldier uniform and at formal dinners from 1950 to 1953.
The images were snapped by hotel staff photographers and are estimated to be worth between $200 and $300 each.
The door to the suite featuring a plaque emblazoned with Churchill’s name on it is also for sale, estimated to be worth between $300 and $500.
A carpet stretching 19 by 12 feet that was once in the former prime minister’s study is also on sale estimated to be between $2,500 to $3,500.
Carved mahogany Georgian chairs covered in striped silk were also up for auction, estimated between $400 and $600.
An extravagant 19th century bronze sculpture of Poseidon went on sale valued between $1,500 to $2,500.
A baccarat crystal chandelier from the elegant room started between $2,500 to $3,500.
In all items from 142 suites, including the Windsor Suite, the Presidential Suite, and the Royal Suite. Art, chandeliers, and décor from the famous Bull and Bear bar, La Chine restaurant, and Peacock Alley, were up for bidding
A view of a chair at the Bull and Bear restaurant housed inside the hotel up for auction pictured above
Furniture pieces from the restaurant's famed Bull and Bear restaurant went up for sale
The sale comes as the swanky hotel undergoes a $1billion renovation and all the proceeds will go to support the renovation of the exteriors and gardens of the St. Bartholomew’s Church and Community House, a landmark located across the street from the hotel
Items from bedrooms like this at the hotel were up for sale during the month long auction
The bidding was led by Kaminski Auctions and thousands of items from the hotel’s golden age was up for grabs during the sale
Some iconic items, such as the Spirit of Achievement statue that graces the Park Avenue entrance, the 1893 World’s Fair Clock which anchors the central lobby, Porter’s Steinway grand piano, a John F. Kennedy Rocking Chair will be restored and put back on display at the hotel.
In 1993 the city named the Waldorf Astoria - and its spectacular interiors - an official New York City landmark.
The hotel prides itself on the design philosophy that no two guest rooms are exactly the same.
As well as 1,413 rooms it houses three restaurants - Peacock Alley, Bull and Bear Prime Steakhouse and Oscar's - five lounges not to mention a secret underground train platform used to enable presidents and VIPs to enter from nearby Grand Central Terminal in secret.
Every president since Herbert Hoover has stayed here, including President Obama, who sleeps in the 35th floor Presidential Suite every time he’s in town.
Celebrity heiress Paris Hilton even grew up in the hotel and fondly recalls meeting visiting presidents and sneaking into parties and bar mitzvahs.
The Waldorf has also featured in countless movies including Scent Of A Woman, Coming To America and the 1945 Ginger Rogers film Week-End at the Waldorf.
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