On Saturday, November 2nd, Kaminski Auctions will bring to the podium items from the collection of Oprah Winfrey in an auction to benefit the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation College Fund. To be held on the grounds of the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club in Carpinteria, CA, the auction will offer items from her homes in Chicago, Maui, Indiana, and Santa Barbara.
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In March 2013, O, The Oprah Magazine revealed Oprah’s plans for a top-to-bottom remodel of her Santa Barbara home. For years, pieces previously selected by the late decorator Anthony P. Browne, including Continental and English antiques, light fixtures, upholstered furniture and fine art, had filled the spaces within the estate. These items, along with personal memorabilia, now will be placed in this auction.
Oprah has chosen to part with items that have helped define her home. All proceeds will benefit a cause close to her heart — a college fund for the graduates of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. In 2007, she opened the Academy, and it will see the graduation of its third class of students this year. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation created its College Fund to grant scholarships to its graduates to continue their education.Â
Bidders will recognize many items at the auction from articles in O, The Oprah Magazine covering Oprah’s decoration and redecoration of her Montecito home. Among these marquee items are hand-wrought iron panels that graced the main staircase of her Santa Barbara residence, estimated at $4,000 to $7,000, and a collection of fine English George Smith upholstered furniture, including the singular green and white plaid couch, with down-stuffed cushions and coordinating pillows, valued at $3,000 to $4,000.
In addition to these custom-made contemporary items, Oprah also has selected a number of exceptional European antiques from her collection to add to the sale. One exquisite Louis XVI chest stamped by the maker “Boudin” is expected to bring $30,000 to $50,000. Â The signed piece with detailed inlay and marble top makes this item highly desirable to any collector of fine decorative arts. Of similar quality is a set of Louis XV armchairs in hand embroidered yellow silk upholstery, valued at $20,000 to $40,000.
An impressive collection of fine art works will complement these stunning antiques. The auction will include works by artists Allen Stringfellow, John Kramer, Clementine Hunter and many others.
People will also have the opportunity to purchase a number of memorabilia items autographed by Oprah, including vintage magazine covers, original promotional material for The Color Purple, and even a few of “Oprah’s Favorite Things.”
All are invited to preview these and many other items to be auctioned at the grounds of the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club. Items will be available to view beginning Wednesday, October 30th through Friday, November 1st from 10:00am to 5:00pm. ?
On Friday evening, November 1st, Kaminski Auctions will host an exclusive preview party at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club. Drinks and appetizers will be served from 5:00pm to 8:00pm during the extended preview hours. Tickets for this special preview event will be available for $100, and include food and drink at the event, VIP auction seating, and a color catalog. Free general admission seating will be available for this auction by pre-registering for tickets at www.kaminskiauctions.com.  Catalogs may be purchased for $50 through Kaminski Auctions at www.kaminskiauctions.com.
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