Chandeliers, vases, showcases and the doors to the suites in which the former US President Herbert Hoover or the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once slept: around 15,000 pieces of furniture from the famous Hotel Waldorf Astoria New York have been auctioned since the weekend. The furniture is currently on display in an empty shopping mall near Boston.
The auction will last until November 15th. The profits from the auction are intended to fund work on St. Bartholomew's Church, which is adjacent to the hotel in Manhattan.
The Waldorf Astoria New York is a luxury hotel for Hollywood stars, artists and top politicians opened since 1931.
One of the most spectacular items in the auction is the furniture from the room in which Hoover lived permanently in the 1940s, including the front door, which is estimated to be worth between 170 - 250 euros. A carpet from the suite used by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is estimated to fetch 2100 to 3000 euros. The most precious item is an oil painting from the room in which the actress Elizabeth Taylor slept: 6,800 to 10,200 euros.
Royal fans also get their money's worth. Items from the suite of Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson can also be found at the auction. The couple lived in the Royal Suite on the 42nd floor for some time.
Favoured objects with historical reference will be restored and should be on display again in the hotel. These include the "Spirit of Achievement" statue that adorned the entrance to Park Avenue, a rocking chair by John F. Kennedy and the Steinway piano by American composer Cole Porter.
Andrew Miller, CEO of Dajia US, the owner and developer of Waldorf Astoria New York, stated, “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.”
Below we present some pieces of furniture from the auction:
