NEW YORK CITY — A compact sale of Maya Angelou’s art collection at Swann Galleries September 15, 44 lots in all with only one passing, achieved $1.29 million, inccluding the buyer’s premium, led by a painted story quilt made by Faith Ringgold and titled “Maya’s Quilt of Life,” that brought $461,000. Oprah Winfrey commissioned the quilt for Angelou’s birthday in 1989.

Image courtesy of Swann Auction Galleries

Nigel Freeman, Swann Galleries’ Director of African-American Fine Art, said, “We are absolutely thrilled — this auction exceeded all of our expectations and reinforced the great status of Dr Angelou as an American cultural icon. It was an honor to handle her collection.”

A complete report on the auction will appear in a future edition.