Historic Letters up for Auction

On the heels of Valentines Day comes the revelation that JFK’s love letters sent when the future president was a U.S. senator are up for auction in Chicago. The letters in the collection were previously sent in the 1950s to a Swedish woman named Gunilla von Post and include 11 handwritten letters and a handful of telegrams that span the length of their covert relationship. Tame by modern standards, there are no lurid details but their historic value is not hard to overlook. The correspondence shows the early statesman Kennedy and his private thoughts, making them invaluable to historians and collectors of JFK memorabilia.

Letters are an important and often overlooked insight into the private lives of important political, cultural and historical figures. In the age before the instantaneous communication offered by email or the low fees associated with long distance phone calls, letters were an essential means of communicating with personal and professional contacts outside of your zip code. Some of these correspondences are very collectible for their deep personal insights and the most famous letters are often collected and published for the public’s benefit.

Another set of unguarded letters written by a public figure who captured the public’s imagination through tragedy are the letters of Princess Diana. A collection of more than 30 letters include notes to her chauffeur and beautician and express her love for her children, her daily routines and her anxiety about the future. The letters are expected to go for anything from $300 to $2,300. A significant price in a market that still has not gotten over the tragic death of the Princess while in Paris in 1997.

MIR has a great deal of experience analyzing and authenticating letters by pivotal historical and cultural figures. Besides the intimate artists’ journals and sketchbooks highlighted on this blog in weeks past, MIR also houses an intriguing letter on the letterhead of the French Ministry of War (a more bellicose title for what is now considered the Minister of Defense) dating from the dawn of the French Revolution. Written in July 1799 and signed by a subordinate of General Grenier, the letter is executed in flowing calligraphy likely generated by a scribe in service of the military officer. Interestingly, the date it was written was not indicated according to the months and years we are accustomed to but rather it is dated in relation to the French Republican Calendar (Year 1 starts on 22 September 1792, Year 2 starts on 22 September 1793, etc.). A seemingly insignificant invoice of military necessities and their costs, the letter allows historians insight into the price of items, the unique dating system and the names of military figures whose names might have been lost to history.

MIR employs a range of specialists in a multitude of fields, insuring that your unique antique item will be analyzed by a knowledgeable expert in the field. A community of people experienced in both academic and professional arenas, MIR is a company interested in and dedicated to the art and items they study. You are highly encouraged to contact MIR with any questions about your treasured items or visit our website for further explanation of our services. You are always encouraged to make an appointment and visit us at our Michigan Avenue office.

Written and Researched by Justin Bergquist

MIR Appraisal Services, Inc.

Principal Appraiser: Farhad Radfar, ISA AM

307 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 308

Chicago, IL 60601

(312) 814-8510

Works Cited:

Dizikes, Cynthia. “JFK ‘Love Letters’ to Young Swedish Woman Up for Auction,” on Chicago Tribune.com.

Hutchinson, Bill. “Princess Diana Letters up for Auction Reveal Angst over Media Attention – and Love for James Bond,” on NYDailyNews.com

Contemporary Art Tycoons: Hirst, Freud & Koons

In the midst of a recession, there is no shortage of cash flow in the contemporary art world. With Damien Hirst’s major group of works entitled, Beautiful Inside My Head Forever coming up at auction, September 15 -16 at Sotheby’s London, auction estimates, including 223 lots are anticipated to exceed $121 million. His previous Pharmacy auction at Sotheby’s in November 2007 resulted in just over $20 million in sales, exceeding the initial estimate of $4 million. The monumental centerpiece of the upcoming sale entitled, The Golden Calf alone is estimated to be in the $15-22 million range. Will Hirst reclaim the world sale record for an individual artwork by a living artist? Lucien Freud (the grandson of the late Sigmund Freud) currently has the record set at $33.6 million for his painting, Benefits Supervisor Sleeping. The art world is watching to see if Hirst will up the ante with The Golden Calf.

Essentially, contemporary art is cutting edge. Conceptually it stirs up norms or may adhere to them in the most patronizing way. Either way, it gets the wheels turning. Fiscally, it is often times too expensive and risky of an investment for the average fine art collector, leaving the playing field open to Fortune Global 500 corporations and billionaire art collectors. Part of the lure of Damien Hirst is that he is essentially a brand from embalmed and encased animals on the high end, fine art auction/gallery level to jeans and poster prints that flirt with the less fortunate art appreciators and aspiring collectors. Hirst has created such a name for himself that he not only has the attention of current pop culture but every current reputable art forum perceives him as being one of the most powerful and influential artists on the contemporary art market if not history.

Here’s a brief recap of previous record sale holders:

Lucian Freud: $33.6 million (Christie's New York)

Lucian Freud’s painting entitled Benefits Supervisor Sleeping, depicting Sue Tilley, a London Jobcentre Supervisor earned $33.6 million at Christie’s auction in Manhattan back in May 2008, setting a world sale record for an individual piece by any living artist. According to the London Times, Roman Abramovich, Russian tycoon and owner of the British Chelsea football club, bought not only Freud’s piece but an $86 million painting by the late Francis Bacon entitled Triptych.

Jeff Koons: $23.6 million (Sotheby's New York)



Jeff Koons’s Hanging Heart (Magenta/Gold), sold for $23.6 million at Sotheby’s New York in November 2007 to Larry Gagosian of the Gagosian Gallery, one of the most prominent dealers in the United States.

Damien Hirst: $19.1 million (Sotheby's London)


Damien Hirst’s Lullaby Spring pill box sold for $19.1 million at Sotheby’s London in June 2007 to an anonymous bidder. Many of Hirst’s most valuable pieces have been sold by galleries. Art market analysts have observed that the Hirst’s saleroom prices have been a good indicator of his demand on the market, resulting in a boost in auction estimates and results for the two biggest auction houses (Sotheby’s and Christie’s).

-Anne Zakaras
MIR Appraisal Services, Inc.