Open The Doors To The San Francisco Socialite’s Closet On May 17 At Turner Auctions + Appraisals
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA, May 5, 2025 – Turner Auctions + Appraisals is very pleased to present The San Francisco Socialite’s Closet on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:30 am PDT. The sale features the luxe clothing and accessories from the estate of Gladyne K. Mitchell, the well-known San Francisco philanthropist and socialite. With over 305 lots, this auction presents an enticing array of designer scarves, clothing, furs, purses, shoes, and more – almost all the personal property of Ms. Mitchell (see below).
The auction features over 50 scarves and shawls, mostly by Hermès and Gucci. With some dresses that are custom or couture, clothing designers include Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, Valentino, Max Mara, Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent, Arnold Scaasi, Mary McFadden, Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrara, Bill Blass, Jil Sander, DKNY, Jeanne Marc, and Josie Natori – as well as several Chinese embroidered robes. Among the purse designers are Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Dior, Salvatore Ferragamo, Akris, and Judith Leiber. There are shoes offerings by Manolo Blahnik, Prada, Bottega Veneta, and Ferragamo. The furs in the sale include full length coats, stoles, and hats. In addition to a selection of vintage perfumes and compacts, the auction presents numerous jewelry items: watches and pocket watches, brooches and cameos, bracelets, and a wide arrange of antique, vintage, and costume jewelry groupings with gemstones, coral, pearls, silver, rock crystals, micro mosaics and more.
Turner Auctions + Appraisals begins its online auction on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:30 am PDT; sale items are available for preview and bidding now. The auction will be featured live on four platforms: LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, Bidsquare, and Turner Auctions + Appraisals’ free mobile app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Apps (“Turner Auctions”). Both are easily accessed through ‘Upcoming Auctions’ at the company’s website: www.turnerauctionsonline.com/upcoming-auctions/.
About Gladyne K. Mitchell
Born and bred in San Francisco, Gladyne Kenderdine Mitchell (1940-2024) was the daughter of Mitchel and Emma Mitchell, a hardworking, industrious, and successful family whose efforts have contributed meaningfully to the betterment of San Francisco and beyond. Educated in the United States, Switzerland, and Italy, Gladyne graduated with degrees in art history and music. Returning to the U.S., she taught kindergarten for several years. Subsequently, following in her family’s real estate footsteps, she worked for her father in property management, then managed her properties after her parents’ deaths. Gladyne enjoyed traveling and learning other languages, fine dining and wine, and helping others. Well-known in San Francisco society, she was a patron of the arts and a generous benefactor of many charities and organizations, saying “I give to things that I love.” Among those in San Francisco who were recipients of her largesse were the symphony, opera, museums, hospitals, historical preservation, educating underprivileged children, and feeding the hungry in San Francisco.
According to her devoted family and friends, Gladyne was a “class act” who loved art, jewelry, antiques, and beautiful things; these included refined clothing and chic accessories, many by celebrated designers. In fact, the recent auction of Gladyne’s stunning collection of fine jewelry was extremely popular and achieved 100% sell through with prices well over estimate, a rare feat in the auction world. The upcoming May 17 sale now opens the doors of her expansive closet to the elegant and luxurious items within for others to peruse, acquire, and enjoy. Here below are some highlights of the upcoming online sale (please see lot details in the online catalog):
Lot 61: Louis Vuitton Saint Germain Shoulder Bag. A Louis Vuitton Saint Germain Dune shoulder bag in Monogram Empreinte calf leather; with gold-toned chain/leather straps. Louis Vuitton gilt-stamped leather label inside and stamped hardware. 8 1/4″ x 12″ x 4″. Excellent unused/like new condition. With dust bag and box/leather cord. Estimate $800-$1,200.
Lot 144: Mary McFadden Couture Mint Green Pleated Bodice Gown (Size 6). Circa
1980s. A Mary McFadden Couture labeled mint green long gown, the bodice/long sleeves of Fortuny-style “Marii” pleated charmeuse, the full skirt with two layers of chiffon over silk underskirt. Labeled Size 6. Approx. flat measurements: shoulders 15″; chest stretches to 17″; waist 14 1/2″; length from top of back 52″. Excellent vintage condition; with a Nordstrom Couture hang tag attached (appears unworn). Estimate $400-$600.
Lot 11: Gucci Suede Gold Belt Buckle Purse. Circa early 1970s. A brown suede Made in Italy by Gucci labeled shoulder bag, with gold-toned chain belt buckle closure, brown leather sides and shoulder strap. 7″ x 10″ x 2 1/2″. Comes with original 1971-1973 dated Joseph Magnin store tag, and Gucci tag inscribed Mod. G1593. Very good vintage condition.
Lot 70: J. Mendel Paris Fur Coat (Size S/M). A vintage fur labeled J. Mendel Paris, below knee length, hook closures, with a silky J. Mendel jacquard lining, including hem pleating. No size tag (approx. Size shoulders 16″; chest 20″; waist/hips 21″; length from back of neck 43″. Excellent vintage condition. Estimate $400-$600.
Lot 136: Arnold Scaasi Couture Emerald Green Satin Ball Gown. Circa 1980s-1990s. The Scaasi Boutique and Nordstrom Couture labeled emerald green satin ball gown with shawl collar and bodice of layered tiers, drop waist, with a pleated full skirt over an integral tulle petticoat. Zip up back. No size tag. Approx. flat measurements: shoulders 17″; chest 18″; waist 16″; hips 18″; length from top of back 51″. Excellent vintage condition. Estimate $300- $500.
Lot 31: Akris Two-Way Trapezoid Tote Shoulder Bag. An Akris two-way/ reversible red/cream leather trapezoid shoulder bag, with open pockets and Akris stamped silver-toned turn-lock clasp. Height approx. 11 1/2″; base approx. 15″ x 4″; unclasped width approx. 20″ at top. Condition: overall very good (no wear), but red side with small white surface stain, and faint spot of soiling lower center; cream side with a small smudge of soiling near top. Estimate $300-$500.
Lot 40: Judith Leiber Chatelaine Minaudiere Crystal Purse. The Judith Leiber silver-tone coin purse shape “Chatelaine” minaudiere, embellished with crystals and opening to a silver leather interior. Approx. 5 1/4″ x 4 3/4″. Includes the optional chain shoulder strap and matching coin purse. In Judith Lieber dust bag with comb and mirror. Excellent, like-new condition. Estimate $200-$400.
Lot 143: Saks Fifth Avenue Couture Velvet Beaded Gown (Size M). Circa 1960s. A Saks Fifth Avenue labeled custom-made ruby red velvet empire waist evening gown, zippered back, the skirt with scrolling design of gold bugle beads, sequins, and faux jewels. The bodice with hand-stitched lining of gold satin; the skirt lined in red muslin. No size tag (approx. Size Medium); flat measurements: shoulders 16″; chest 17 1/2″; waist 15″; length from shoulder 54″. Overall very good vintage condition, but with some wear to underarm areas. Estimate $200-$400.
Lot 202: Chinese Black Silk Floral Embroidered Robe. Circa mid-20th century. A Chinese black silk robe, labeled Imported from China, The Emporium, San Francisco. With an allover design of chrysanthemums, with floral embroidered blue silk borders, purple cuffs, and blue silk jacquard lining. Approx. flat measurements: shoulders 17 1/2″; chest 22″; waist/hips 23″. Length approx. 43″. Excellent vintage condition; some scattered loose threads. Estimate $150-$250.
Lot 4: Hermès Paris Silk Scarf, “Kachinas,” by Kermit Oliver. Gold, red, blue, green on white ground. Edges hand-rolled to front. Approx. 35″ square. Excellent vintage condition. Estimate $150-$250.
Lot 28: Chanel Black Quilted Caviar Tote. A Chanel black “Caviar” quilted leather tote with gold-toned Chanel stamped hardware and chain/leather woven straps; gilt-stamped leather Chanel label inside. Open top and two compartments with center zip pouch divider. Approx. 9 1/4″ x 13″ x 5″. Very good vintage condition, with light use wear. With dust bag and box. NOTE: Accompanied by a Chanel Internal Repair Form (8/20/15) confirming repair of hole on corner, restitching of lining, and twisted chain. Estimate $800-$1,200. (Photo, page 1, right)
Lot 2: Hermès Silk Cashmere Shawl, Paperoles. Hermès Paris silk and cashmere shawl (65% cashmere/35% silk). Approx. 53″ x 53″. With box. Overall good vintage condition; one or two tiny pinhole-size holes along hem. Estimate $250-$350.
ABOUT TURNER AUCTIONS + APPRAISALS
Based in South San Francisco, Turner Auctions + Appraisals was founded in 2015 by Stephen Turner to expand and complement the capabilities of Stephen G. Turner Associates, an auction and appraisal consulting firm founded in 2004. Turner Auctions + Appraisals presents online auctions in diverse categories of personal property (www.turnerauctionsonline.com). Among them are Fine Arts, Decorative Arts, Asian Arts, Toys, Jewelry, Militaria, Ethnic Arts, and others. The company offers a range of auction and appraisal services for buyers, sellers, and collectors. Online auctions are held several times a month. Working with leading live and online auction houses on the West Coast since 1991, Turner is a professional appraiser of personal property and seasoned auctioneer. His areas of expertise include fine art, decorative arts, antiques & residential contents. The company welcomes consignments and appraisals.
For more information about the company, please contact:
Stephen Turner, President
Turner Auctions + Appraisals, 461 Littlefield Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080
415-964-5250 / [email protected] / www.turnerauctionsonline.com
For media inquiries or photos, please contact: Jill Turner, Rodin & Shelley Associates / [email protected]
