The Collection of Eleanor Post Close and Her Son Antal Post de Bekessy Soars to $8.5 million at Sotheby’s Paris

The sale of the collection of Eleanor Post Close (1909-2006) and her son Antal Post de Bekessy (1943-2015) concluded tonight with an outstanding total of €7,139,047 ($8,466,553), well above pre-sale expectations (est. €3.9 – 5.9 million).

Over the course of two days, over 1,000 collectors, dealers and art institutions from across the globe participated in a sale which reflected the great eye and exquisite taste of this dynasty of collectors. Together, the participants drove the percentage of lots sold to 94%, with 60 % of them achieving prices well in excess of their pre-sale estimates.

Prior to the sale, 1,500 people had visited the four-day exhibition, captivated both by the story of this formidable American dynasty and the breadth and quality of the collection. The 700 lots were highlighted by an impressive ensemble of 18th-century furniture and paintings, decorative arts as well as modern, impressionist and contemporary works, each piece shedding light on the family’s passion for French history and aesthetics.

Pierre Mothers, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s France said: “The results achieved over the last two days are a brilliant tribute to Eleanor Post Close and Antal Post de Bekessy’s exquisite taste, and to the dedication and passion with which they continued the collection of their mother and grandmother, the extraordinary Marjorie Merriweather Post.”