Mary Tyler Moore's Jewelry Exceeded Expectations At Auction
The jewelry of the late actress Mary Tyler Moore, an iconic star who defined what the modern independent woman was in the 1970s, made a splash at the recent Sotheby's online Fine Jewels auction.
This month, Sotheby's has put 21 objects from the late actress up for auction. Ten lots were included in the Magnificent Jewels sale on December 5, and eleven lots were part of the Fine Jewels sale, which was only available online on December 7.
Moore’s ten pieces were auctioned at the Magnificent Jewels sale, and all of them sold for a total of $315,700, above the high estimate of $232,000. The 11 lots sold for a combined $115,570 in the online sale, raising the total to over $430,000.
This month, Sotheby's has put 21 objects from the late actress up for auction. Ten lots were included in the Magnificent Jewels sale on December 5, and eleven lots were part of the Fine Jewels sale, which was only available online on December 7.
Moore’s ten pieces were auctioned at the Magnificent Jewels sale, and all of them sold for a total of $315,700, above the high estimate of $232,000. The 11 lots sold for a combined $115,570 in the online sale, raising the total to over $430,000.
Some of Moore's jewelry on display at Sotheby's Auction (Source: Youtube Screenshot)
Mary Tyler Moore's Collection
Moore's gold and diamond Audemars Piguet "Royal Oak" watch, which soared above its estimate of $4,000 to $6,000, was the top lot at Fine Jewels.
Also, her gold Cartier "Panthère" watch brought $12,700 at auction, much more than the estimated $3,000 to $5,000.
A 2.4-carat platinum diamond ring with three old European and old mine-cut diamonds, complemented by round, single-cut, and baguette diamonds, brought $15,240, above its estimated $5,000 to $7,000 value, according to National Jeweler.
Moore's third and previous husband, Dr. S. Robert Levine, gave her a collection of gold "Mesh" jewelry designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
The Mesh jewelry exceeded its high estimate of $4,000 to $6,000 by more than tripling when it sold for $19,050.
Moore also received a Jaeger-LeCoultre "Rendez-Vous Classic Night and Day" watch in steel and diamonds from Levine. He gave her this as a gift because, as her eyesight deteriorated from the consequences of her diabetes, the larger numerals were easier to see.
The watch was estimated to sell for $4,000 to $6,000, but it sold for $9,525.
Where The Money Will Go
The Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping diabetics maintain and restore their vision, will receive the proceeds from the 21 pieces.
When Moore was 30 years old in 1969, she received her initial Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Later on, she began to support diabetes research and held the position of international chair for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
With 81% of the lots sold, the Fine Jewels sale brought in a total of $7.9 million.
Moore's gold and diamond Audemars Piguet "Royal Oak" watch, which soared above its estimate of $4,000 to $6,000, was the top lot at Fine Jewels.
Also, her gold Cartier "Panthère" watch brought $12,700 at auction, much more than the estimated $3,000 to $5,000.
A 2.4-carat platinum diamond ring with three old European and old mine-cut diamonds, complemented by round, single-cut, and baguette diamonds, brought $15,240, above its estimated $5,000 to $7,000 value, according to National Jeweler.
Moore's third and previous husband, Dr. S. Robert Levine, gave her a collection of gold "Mesh" jewelry designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
The Mesh jewelry exceeded its high estimate of $4,000 to $6,000 by more than tripling when it sold for $19,050.
Moore also received a Jaeger-LeCoultre "Rendez-Vous Classic Night and Day" watch in steel and diamonds from Levine. He gave her this as a gift because, as her eyesight deteriorated from the consequences of her diabetes, the larger numerals were easier to see.
The watch was estimated to sell for $4,000 to $6,000, but it sold for $9,525.
Where The Money Will Go
The Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping diabetics maintain and restore their vision, will receive the proceeds from the 21 pieces.
When Moore was 30 years old in 1969, she received her initial Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Later on, she began to support diabetes research and held the position of international chair for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
With 81% of the lots sold, the Fine Jewels sale brought in a total of $7.9 million.
Photo Credit: Mary Tyler Moore with Dick Van Dyke in 1964 (Source: Wikipedia.org)
Who Was Mary Tyler Moore?
Mary Tyler Moore was an American actress, producer, and social activist who lived from December 29, 1936, until January 25, 2017.
Her most well-known performances were in The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966) and The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977), where she "appealed to an audience facing the new trials of modern-day existence" and "helped define a new vision of American womanhood".
Moore was the recipient of three Golden Globes and seven Primetime Emmy Awards.
Her role in Ordinary People earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Also, she appeared in the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie in a supporting role.
Mary Tyler Moore was an American actress, producer, and social activist who lived from December 29, 1936, until January 25, 2017.
Her most well-known performances were in The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966) and The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977), where she "appealed to an audience facing the new trials of modern-day existence" and "helped define a new vision of American womanhood".
Moore was the recipient of three Golden Globes and seven Primetime Emmy Awards.
Her role in Ordinary People earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Also, she appeared in the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie in a supporting role.
Broadway
At the same time, Moore, who was a supporter of vegetarianism, animal rights, and diabetes education and research, made multiple Broadway theatrical appearances.
In December 1966, she starred in a new musical adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany's called Holly Golightly. However, the production was a disaster and closed in previews before making its Broadway debut.
Also, she starred in two Broadway productions: Whose Life Is It Anyway? with James Naughton, which debuted on February 24, 1980, at the Royale Theatre and ran for 96 performances; and Sweet Sue, which debuted on January 8, 1987, at the Music Box Theatre, moved to the Royale Theatre, and ran for 164 performances.
Five plays were produced by Moore and her production business in the 1980s: Joe Egg, The Octette Bridge Club, Noises Off, Benefactors, and Safe Sex.
