STAIR
Live Auction

The Collection of André Leon Talley

Thu, Sep 21, 2023 10:00AM EDT
  • The Collection of André Leon Talley
Lot 341

Ritz Hotel Ephemera, Paris

Estimate: $100 - $200
Sold for

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$200 $50
$500 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000

Comprising:

A Leather-Mounted Cardboard Box, from the Ritz Hotel, Paris.

Group of Ritz Hotel Wooden Hangers

A Ritz Hotel Shoehorn and Clothes Brush.

A Ritz Hotel Leather Date Book, 2007, Monogrammed ALT. (unused).

Note: An excerpt from Alexis Gregory, Paris Deluxe, Place Vendome, Rizzoli, 1997, pp 199-225. "The Ritz Hotel in Paris was created by César Ritz (1850-1918) in the center of Paris occupying two large buildings on the Place Vendome. The hotel opened with a lot of fanfare in 1898, it was undoubtedly the finest and most glamourous hotel in the world in an age when international hostelry was producing truly fabulous accommodations for an ever-demanding clientele. Mr. Ritz was considered the most genial and innovative hotelier of modern times. He made sure there were at least 2.5 staff to each guest, and no two rooms or suites at the Ritz in Paris are alike. Ritz's reputation was made by attracting the rich and famous and catering to their every need with an unmatched level of service. King Edward VII of England, Cornelius Vanderbilt and the Maharaja of Kapurthala were among his early guests. His son Charles took over the business in 1902 after César suffered a nervous breakdown. The grand clientele continued well into the Jazz Age when Elsa Maxwell organized parties for Barbara Hutton who would arrive for the social season with seventy trunks. In 1956 a scene from the movie "Love in the Afternoon" was shot at the Ritz staring Audrey Hepburn and Gary Cooper. It immortalized the hotel for all moviegoers. Maria Callas, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor were regular guests. In the later decades of the 20th century the hotel fell into disrepair and was sold to Egyptian businessmen, one of whom was Mohamed Al-Fayed who brought it back to life. He felt that a great hotel today must cater to businesspeople who arrive jet lagged and need to be in constant contact with their offices. He built the most beautiful health club in the world, with a large swimming pool, Turkish bathes, a squash court framed in Louis XVI paneling, a nightclub and a cooking school. Any former client from the Belle Epoque who walked through the door would feel right at home," including André Leon Talley who was lucky enough to live there for a few years.

Condition

Expected wear and scuffing due to use. 

Not withstanding this report or any discussion concerning condition of a lot, all lots are offered and sold "as is" in accordance with our conditions of sale.

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Collection from Stair We are open for pickups Monday through Friday, from 9:30am to 12pm and again from 1pm to 4:30pm. Please call us at 518-751-1000 to schedule collection. We ask that you collect your items or make collection arrangements within 10 days of your purchase. We suggest requesting a quote for packing and shipping prior to bidding on an item, as you will be responsible for collection or shipping if you are the successful bidder. Below is a list of shippers our clients use on a regular basis, but feel free to use your shipper of choice. For smaller items that can be boxed and shipped: UPS Store #4541 230 Kings Mall Court Kingston, New York 12401 T: 845.336.4877 F: 845.336.3832 E: store4541@theupsstore.com UPS Store #5539 160 Fairview Avenue Hudson, New York 12534 T: 518.828.8777 F: 518.822.8727 E: store5539@theupsstore.com UPS Store #4861 6565 Springbrook Avenue Rhinebeck, New York 12572 T: 845.876.3357 F: 845.876.3524 E: store4861@theupsstore.com For furniture and other large items: Meticulous Inc. T: 845.256.7047 F: 845.256.7039 E: meticulousmovers@live.com Sure Express 1-800-335-9996 judy@sureexpress.com Worldwide Shipping: James Bourlet, Inc. T: 718.392.9770 F: 718.392.2470 www.bourlet.org Cadogan Tate Fine Art Worldwide Fine Art Logistics T: 718.706.7999 F: 718.707.2847 E: fineartny@cadogantate.com www.cadogantate.com Gander & White Shipping T: 718.784.8444 F: 718.784.9337 www.ganderandwhite.com Plycon Transportation Group T: 631.269.7000 F: 631.269.7088 www.plycongroup.com

The Collection of André Leon Talley