Bennett’s fine watches, sketches, paintings, handwritten notes & more will be on display
Julien’s Auctions had announced additional marquee items to Tony Bennett: A Life Well Lived, their exclusive two-day auction event celebrating the music and art of the 20-time Grammy Award-winning maestro and artist taking place Thursday, April 18th and Friday, April 19th live at Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame in Jazz at Lincoln Center, following their star-studded gala honoring Tony Bennett and online at Julien’s Auctions.
Watches, photos, handwritten notes, and other memorabilia signifying the multigenerational impact and span of Bennett’s enduring career as well as friendships and collaborations with two of his most famous contemporaries Frank Sinatra and Lady Gaga will be on offer featuring an Ebel 18k gold strap wristwatch gifted by Frank Sinatra engraved “Thanx Tony F.S.” (estimate: $2,000 – $3,000) and a Cartier Stainless Steel Quartz “Pasha De Cartier” wrist watch engraved, “To Tony Thanks Frank A. Sinatra” gifted from Sinatra (estimate: $3,000 – $5,000) and a Cartier 18K rose gold automatic “Cle De Cartier” wrist watch from Lady Gaga (estimate: $7,000 – $9,000) engraved, “TONY GAGA (heart) 08.03.2016.”
Bennett’s original artwork titled “Frank,” a simple line drawing captures the image of Sinatra, standing behind his music stand while recording at Capitol records (estimate: $600 – $800). Bennett immortalizes Sinatra in his paper drawing of a Frank Sinatra sculpture inscribed “The Master / Sinatra” signed “Benedetto” (estimate: $300 – $500) as well as in his double portrait in pencil of the Chairman of the Board titled “Sinatra Young and Old,” “(estimate: $1,000 – $1,500). There will also be Bennett’s books and photographs of Ol’ Blue Eyes such as a framed photograph of Frank Sinatra inscribed “For Tony- / The Best g.d. / Pop Singer I’ve / ever heard! / I Love ya- / Frank Sinatra / ’86” (estimate: $800 – $1,200) as well as correspondence such as a typed letter signed by Frank Sinatra, “Francis Albert,” dated November 14, 1980, on personalized stationery, thanking Bennett for performing at a concert to benefit UNLV (estimate: $400 – $600).
Ephemera connected to Bennett’s award-winning duets with Lady Gaga and their close friendship will be an auction spotlight. Black wool felt fedora worn by Lady Gaga while performing “New York, New York” on television’s Sinatra 100: All-Star Grammy Concert where Bennett was also a performer honoring Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday will be offered (estimate: $1,000 – $2,000); a portrait of Lady Gaga sketched by Bennett that was featured on the cover of the 2021 album Love for Sale, signed “Benedetto” is another poignant highlight (estimate: $3,000 – $5,000) (photo left); as well as handwritten notes and cards from Gaga such as a florist card dated June 2021 that reads: “Tony, Every night I am on stage with you I need to pinch myself to make sure it’s real! Keep knocking them out of the park! I love you! Love, Lady.” Accompanied by a typed note on Matles Florist stationery that reads, “I’m so thankful you’re in my world. All my love, Lady” (estimate: $300 – $500) and a trio of birthday note cards from Lady Gaga to Tony Bennett for his 90th, 92nd and 93rd birthdays (estimate: $300 – $500); a promotional poster for Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s February 8th, 2015 special post-Grammys performance at The Wiltern in Los Angeles signed by Bennett and Gaga (estimate: $300 – $500); and a handwritten thank you note from Lady Gaga on a photocopy of a portrait sketch that Bennett drew of Gaga that reads, “Tony, / I (heart) you. You really / are beyond special. / Thank you for believing / in me. / Love, / Lady / Gaga” (estimate: $600 – $800).
Signed and inscribed sheet music with music icons Bennett recorded and performed with such as “Let the Good Times Roll” with B.B. King, “Stormy Weather” with Natalie Cole, “On the Sunny Side of the Street” with Willie Nelson, “When Do the Bells Ring for Me” with Mariah Carey, “Stranger in Paradise” with Andrea Bocelli, and “This is All I Ask” with Josh Groban, who will host the gala honoring Bennett at Jazz at Lincoln Center will be offered.
Fine jewelry include his Rolex 18k gold and diamond automatic “Day and Date” bracelet wristwatch (estimate: $25,000 – $35,000); cuff links such as a Verdura “Night & Day” dress set: a pair of single-link 18k gold, enamel, diamond cuff links along with four shirt studs en suite, in a Verdura fitted case, inspired by Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” and originally produced in 1941 for Porter himself (estimate: $3,000 – $5,000) (photo left), Tiffany & Co. Gold cufflinks (estimate: $1,500 – $2,500), Tony Bennett monogrammed cufflinks (estimate: $600 – $800), Radio City Music Hall custom presentation cufflinks presented to Bennett in 1996 (estimate: $500 – $700) and New York City police commissioner cufflinks (estimate: $300 – $500). Tony Bennett’s panache for dressing and effortless style exudes with his silk bow ties (estimate: $400 – $600) tuxedo to signature red pocket squares (estimate range: $400 – $1,200) and yellow Montreal Jazz Festival blazer (estimate: $600 – $800).
His collection of fine books and manuscripts will be offered such as a 1935 first illustrated edition of Joyce’s Ulysses, numbered 743 of 1500 copies illustrated by Henri Matisse (estimate: $8,000 – $12,000); Giacomo Puccini “La Fanciulla del West” working manuscript in Puccini’s hand (estimate: $3,000 – $5,000); Oscar Wilde autograph letter signed, single page circa 1887-1889, to Andres (Raffalovich) (estimate: $2,000 – $3,000); a Napoleon Sarony original albumen photographic print signed by Walt Whitman (estimate: $2,000 – $3,000); and more.
Bennett’s acclaimed landscape paintings of a life well lived through his travels will transport lucky bidders to “Burano, Italy,” the “South of France,” “Hawaii,” “Sedona, Arizona” and other locations around the world (range of estimates: $1,000 – $5,000).
Fans have an opportunity to view Tony Bennett’s remarkable legacy at the free and open to the public exhibition at Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame in Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York on April 10th running through April 16th with an installation created by designer David Korins (Hamilton, The Who’s Tommy) that will feature previously announced items from the collection such as Bennett’s original artwork including his “Charlie Parker” watercolor painting and numerous sketches of musicians, actors, athletes and cultural figures, record awards, his Library of Congress Living Legend Medallion, 2005 Kennedy Center Honor Award, portraits by David Hockney and Ian Wright, signed and inscribed sheet music to his duets “Body and Soul” with Amy Winehouse & “That’s Why the Lady is a Tramp” with Lady Gaga and more.
