Oprah Winfrey decided to auction off some of her collection. The bulk of the items up for grabs are part of Oprah's acquisition from her condo unit in Chicago.
She announced earlier this month that she will have Harpo Studios in Chicago closed down by December of this year as reported by the Huffington Post. The venue was home to "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for more than 20 years. Harpo Studio's production will follow suit those of the Oprah Winfrey Network which just recently moved to their new studio in Hollywood, California.
The auction will be conducted by Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in their Chicago salesroom on April 25. Prior to the public sale, there will also be exhibition times, serving as a preview, that will be held from April 16 and everyday thereafter leading to the actual date.
"Our firm has enormous respect for Ms. Winfrey and all that she has accomplished and achieved, and we are privileged to handle the sale of property from her Chicago residence," Leslie Hindman Auctioneers posted on their site.
The proceeds of the single-owner property auction will benefit the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. This is the very same educational institution Oprah pledged to build during her visit with Nelson Mandela in 2000.
There will be a total of 500 lots to be auctioned off from Oprah's collection which include sculptures, furniture, English and 20th century decorative arts, vintage fashion, wristwatches and pocket watches, jewelry and other luxury accessories, rugs, tapestries and textiles, Chinese, South Asian and Southeast Asian works of art, Tribal and non-western art, modern and contemporary art, silver, and other memorabilia.
TMZ interestingly notes the auction lots have nude artworks aplenty. These include a nude painting by Aristide Maillol, which is estimated to be at the $8,000 to $12,000 vicinity; Ellie Dolgin nude sculptures, which are estimated to be about $10,000; Richard Edward Miller's nude painting of a lady ($80,000 to $120,000); and a set of nude male figures from mythology ($800 to $1,200).
Leslie Hindman, the founder of the auction firm, said that she has high regard for Oprah Winfrey as a collector. She has come to know Oprah as someone with enough knowledge and connections in the market when it comes to acquiring valuable possessions.
"Oprah's acumen as a media icon and businesswoman has been an inspiration for millions. Perhaps even more inspiring is her dedication to altruistic endeavors, built on the foundation of sharing her success to better the lives of others," she said.
In January of last year, the media magnate listed the luxury condominium at 180 E. Pearson St. for $7.75 million as per Forbes.com. The 9,625 square foot estate has four baths and two kitchens. It also boasts amazing views of the city and lake. Oprah purchased the property back in the 90's for $3.4 million, which is actually four units converted into one.
