Contents of Brooke Astor’s homes sell for $18.8M

The contents of Brooke Astor’s homes in New York City and Westchester fetched approximately $18.8 million — nearly as much as the heiress’ Park Avenue duplex itself. Business Week reported on the two-day auction, held at Sotheby’s.

Nearly 95 percent of the paintings, jewels and books on offer found a home during the auction, the proceeds of which will go to Astor’s favorite charities, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. All of The Pieces Had Been Contained Within Her Park Avenue duplex and Holly Hill country estate in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. The heiress died in 2007 aged 104.

As previously reported, the philanthropist’s 14-room apartment at 778 Park Avenue sold for $21 million in 2011, about 50 percent less than its original 2008 asking price of $46 million. Holly Hill sold for $6.45 million in December. [Business Week] – Katherine Clarke