Auction Results: The Private Collection of Secretary Madeleine K. Albright at Freeman’s | Hindman

The Private Collection of Secretary Madeleine K. Albright was auctioned by Freeman’s | Hindman from May 7 to 8, 2024 in New York and Chicago. This 300+ lot sale included a finely curated collection of jewelry and watches, handbags and accessories, decorative items, political ephemera and souvenirs, and other estate items from the collection of former Secretary of State Madeleine Jana Korbel Albright (1937 – 2022). Albright served in the Bill Clinton administration from 1997 to 2001 and was the first woman to hold that executive-level office. In addition to her intelligence, humor, and resolve, Albright was known for her exceptional jewelry collection, which had roles in many of her diplomatic encounters and meetings. Here are some auction highlights from the recent sale of her collection. 

Madeleine K. Albright had a legendary collection of necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, pins, and watches from the world’s top brands. Many of these precious metal and gemstone items sold extremely well in this event. The top lot overall was #17, a Bulgari white gold and diamond Fireworks choker. Estimated at USD 12,000 to $18,000, it made $24,890. This adjustable stunner measured 12 inches to 14.5 inches long and featured 185 round diamonds together weighing 9.25 carats; the stones were mounted in 18-karat white gold. The piece was marked BVLGARI MADE IN ITALY 750, had a gross weight of 73.00 dwt, and was sold with a Bulgari box.

The Bulgari brand was founded in Rome in 1884 by Greek jeweler Sotirio Bulgari. Its name is sometimes spelled BVLGARI, with a V in the place of the U, to align itself with its traditional Latin roots. The Fireworks line is part of the company’s Astrale collection and resembles joyful Roman candles igniting. Rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings were produced as part of the Fireworks series. Albright’s jewelry collection also included the company’s Fireworks ring, which was lot #15 in this sale; it realized $7,205 against its $2,000 to $4,000 estimate.

The sale also included functional and decorative items from the Albright household. Lot #49, Albright’s burl wood standing jewelry box, was estimated at $400 to $600 and sold for a whopping $9,170. The case had five larger lower drawers and seven smaller top drawers. Each was detailed with gold hardware pulls. The interior was finely constructed with lined and divided compartments, a mirror, and chain hooks. It locked with two side cabinet door locks.

This jewelry case was very important to Albright and housed what she referred to as her diplomatic arsenal. She used pins as an important element of her executive management and negotiation processes. She was so well known for this distinctive way of doing things that she published a book about her collection in 2009. It was titled Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box. This book featured images of her brooches and the history, background, and roles they played in her personal and professional life.

Souvenirs and materials related to Albright’s political career were another key category in this sale. Lot #55, a set of painted nesting dolls of Soviet political leaders, was estimated at $100 to $200 and realized $5,568. This collection included 11 dolls in total and was comprised of two sets of nesting dolls and one individual doll. The first set had six dolls and the second one had four dolls. The largest doll measured 7.75 inches tall; all were made from wood and finely painted.

These dolls, called Matryoshka dolls, are a legacy form of Russian art. Given Albright’s role in American international affairs, it is no surprise that she would own a set of these distinctly Soviet collectibles. Matryoshka dolls were introduced in 1890 and were originally designed as toys for children, not the collectibles they are today. The sets are usually themed, with popular designs including storybook characters, political leaders, seasons, and religious figures. The world record for the largest set of Matryoshka dolls belongs to Youlia Bereznitskaia of Russia, who made a 51-piece set in 2003.

This auction included several designer handbags and business cases owned and used by Madeleine K. Albright. Lot #94, a Christian Dior bag, was estimated at $800 to $1,000 and made $5,240. This quilted black lambskin leather purse had golden hardware and was made in Italy in 1997. The bag was detailed with a zipper closure, jacquard lining, and an interior pocket. It was sold with its matching detachable shoulder strap and bag charm.

Dior debuted this now legacy purse design in the mid-1990s. It was originally named Chouchou. The name was updated to Princesse, and later to Lady Dior. This eye-catching handbag design has ties to Diana, Princess of Wales. Diana loved this bag and was gifted one by former French First Lady Bernadette Chirac when she visited France in 1995. “Lady Dior” is a play on Diana’s nickname, “Lady Di.” Lady Dior bags are known for their boxy, quilted leather form and golden D-I-O-R charms.

The sale rounded out with ephemera, books, scarves, clothing, and other items from Albright’s estate. Lot #91, a set of two dresses with three pieces of costume jewelry, was estimated at $300 to $500 and realized $4,258. One dress was a black silk blend made by Richilene/Rizik Brothers, and the other was a red silk example by Carolina Herrera/Rizik Brothers. Both were made in the USA in the 1990s. The jewelry collection consisted of two pins and one necklace.

For more information on Freeman’s | Hindman’s May 2024 sale of Secretary Madeleine K. Albright’s private collection, visit LiveAuctioneers. 

Looking for more notable auction results? Check out Auction Daily’s coverage of Tony Bennett’s personal collection, sold at Julien’s in April 2024.