Sotheby’s Americana Week Auctions New York
14–24 January
www.sothebys.com/americana
Exhibition Free And Open To The Public 14–21 January
1334 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021

NEW YORK CITY — One of the greatest private collections of Americana ever assembled will headline Sotheby’s Americana Week on January 22-23 in New York. The du Pont name is among the most notable and storied names in American history, and seldom do American collectors immerse themselves so thoroughly in the essence of colonial life.

Over the course of decades, William K. du Pont assembled a collection that is entirely unique in character and importance, comprising some of the best examples of Americana ever to appear at auction. The definition of a true connoisseur, du Pont was a devoted scholar and voracious collector, who was a prominent fixture on the committees of both the Philadelphia and Delaware Antiques Shows, among other notable organizations. Du Pont also served for many years on the board of Winterthur, a picturesque estate originally owned by his family and now the premier museum for American decorative arts that houses the legendary collection of Henry Francis du Pont. The William K. du Pont collection is distinguished by an unparalleled lineage with the Henry Francis du Pont collection.

Erik Gronning, Sotheby’s head of Americana, commented, “The William K. du Pont collection is an incredibly personal and meticulously curated selection of American decorative art that invokes many of the most famed collections assembled in our world: Wallace Nutting, Katherine Prentice Murphy, Henry and Helen Flynt and Henry Francis du Pont. Put simply, it is one of the greatest Americana collections ever formed. While Bill found the brilliance of American craftsmanship and design in the expected ‘exceptional’ objects, such as his magnificent schranks and his singular collection of line-and-berry furniture, he also found it in utilitarian pieces like a beautifully crafted pair of miniature andirons, an exceptionally engraved powder horn or a Native American flint spear points. He cherished objects not only for their intrinsic beauty, but also for their remarkable history.”

Anchored by an unparalleled assemblage Pennsylvania line-and-berry inlaid furniture, as well as Pennsylvania-German furniture, American silver and militaria, the dedicated live auction will present exceptional works from du Pont’s palatial home in Newark, Del., Rocky Hill, providing collectors worldwide with the rare opportunity to acquire works with renowned provenance from one of the antique communities most beloved titans.
The firm’s Americana sale is scheduled for January 24.

For additional information, www.sothebys.com or 212-606-7000.

The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Pfaffenroth:
American Furniture, Silver and Decorative Arts
19 January
The William K. du Pont Collection:
Important Americana from Rocky Hill
22–23 January
Important Americana Part 1
24 January
Important Americana Part 2
14–24 January
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