Duke Ellington's personal white baby grand piano goes up for auction

Record ID: 103259

  • Title: Duke Ellington's personal white baby grand piano goes up for auction
  • Date: 17th May 2016
  • Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (MAY 17, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS ITEMS UP FOR AUCTION ON DISPLAY ELLINGTON'S PULITZER PRIZE VARIOUS OF CERTIFICATES CLOSE UP OF DIAMOND POCKET WATCH VARIOUS OF MONOGRAMED HANDKERCHIEF PRESIDENT OF GUERNSEY'S AUCTION HOUSE, ETTINGER (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARLAN ETTINGER, PRESIDENT OF GUERNSEY'S, SAYING: "Nearly 300 personal treasures from Duke Ellington's career. These items were the property of Duke's sister Ruth. They remained in her apartment for half a century, many things on display in a shrine-like setting to her late brother. But once she passed, on they went into storage and the family seem fit to now offer them to the world, for the world to enjoy it." VARIOUS OF BABY GRAND PIANO (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARLAN ETTINGER, PRESIDENT OF GUERNSEY'S, SAYING: "The greatest prize of all, I think I'm safe in saying, is Duke Ellington's white baby grand piano, which he was known to compose much of his music. One need only visit the beautiful sculpture of Duke Ellington at the northeast corner of Central Park were you see him standing next to his piano. There it is, it's here and you could be the very, very fortunate owner if you participate in this auction, you never know." MORE OF PIANO VARIOUS CLOTHES ON DISPLAY WIDE OF SHEET MUSIC ON DISPLAY VARIOUS OF SHEET MUSIC FOR "SALOME" ON DISPLAY (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARLAN ETTINGER, PRESIDENT OF GUERNSEY'S, SAYING: "You'll see many, many treasures. If I'm not incorrect, behind my head are some of Duke's original handwritten compositions. This is some of the most wonderful, famous music every created in this country or in the world for that matter. And here you see his actual pencil scribbling and cross-outs and erasers." VARIOUS OF SHEET MUSIC ON DISPLAY VARIOUS OF "LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL" SHEET MUSIC ART WORK ON DISPLAY CLOSE UP OF PAINTING ELLINGTON SIGNATURE ON PAINTING (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARLAN ETTINGER, PRESIDENT OF GUERNSEY'S, SAYING: "Many people didn't realize that Duke loved to paint. And there are not many oil paintings of his work known to survive but we have several in this auction including a portrait he did of his great friend and associate Billy Strayhorn. We also have a portrait of a woman that he label 'Satin Doll,' which many will remember is the title of one of his most famous songs." VARIOUS ITEMS ON DISPLAY CLOSE UP OF BATON CERTIFICATE ON DISPLAY WIDE OF AUCTION ITEMS VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF THE NATIONAL JAZZ MUSEUM IN HARLEM
  • Embargoed: 1st June 2016 18:58
  • Keywords: Duke Ellington Harlem jazz music New York auction sale
  • Location: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
  • City: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA0014I76BTL
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Nearly 300 personal treasures from jazz legend Duke Ellington's career are set to hit the auction block in New York on Wednesday (May 18).
    "These items were the property of Duke's sister Ruth. They remained in her apartment for half a century, many things on display in a shrine-like setting to her late brother. But once she passed on, they went into storage and the family seem fit to now offer them to the world, for the world to enjoy it," explained Arlan Ettinger, the president of Guernsey's auctions.
    The auction house is holding the sale at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, the area of New York City where Ellington resided.
    The top lot is considered to be a white baby grand piano which Ellington is said to have composed hit songs including "Sophisticated Lady," "In a Sentimental Mood" and "It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing."
    Ettinger said the instrument could bring in anywhere between $50,000 and $1 million (USD). There are no reserves placed on the items, which means lots can go for any amount.
    Other significant items include artwork both collected and created by Ellington.
    "Many people didn't realize that Duke loved to paint. And there are not many oil paintings of his work known to survive but we have several in this auction including a portrait he did of his great friend and associate Billy Strayhorn. We also have a portrait of a woman that he label 'Satin Doll,' which many will remember is the title of one of his most famous songs."
    Ellington's Pulitzer Prize and a diamond pocket watch gifted to his father are also available for purchase.
    Custom made suits and tuxedos, handwritten sheet music, and certificates are also included in the sale.
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