Noël Coward "Sail Away" Memorabilia
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APPRAISER:
Can you tell me who this handsome gentleman is in the picture?
GUEST:
That is my uncle Joe Layton. He was a choreographer on Broadway. My aunt passed away recently and left me these items that are, I guess, attributed to a show that he did with NoÎl Coward, called Sail Away.
APPRAISER:
So Sail Away was a 1961 show. NoÎl Coward was an English playwright, actor, composer, noted for his wit, his acerbic wit...
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
And was incredibly entertaining and engaging. Joe was a choreographer, a dancer before that, right?
GUEST:
Yes, yes, absolutely.
APPRAISER:
And he was very young when he did Sail Away, only about 30.
GUEST:
Exactly right.
APPRAISER:
And NoÎl Coward, Sail Away was the very last production he did both composer and book. What you have here is a compilation of NoÎl gifts.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
NoÎl Coward gave away opening night gifts. He didn't do it very often, only to the people he was really taken with. Let's talk a little bit about the painting first. I love that it's also has to do with sailing. NoÎl Coward, throughout his life, did do art and caricatures, but it wasn't until later in his life at his estate called Firefly in Jamaica did he paint. During his lifetime, he never sold one picture. They were all gifts or given to charities. After he passed away 15 years later, his partner, Graham Payn, decided to sell about 30 paintings at auction, and it established sort of an auction record for his work. We also have this wonderful sterling box that says, "To Joe with love, NoÎl, Sail Away, October 3rd, 1961." And the very opening night playbill for the comedy as well. So tell me, what do you think these things are worth?
GUEST:
My father told me that the painting, he's seen them sold in the range of about £25,000, or, you know, £18,000, something like that.
APPRAISER:
If I was to estimate this painting for auction, I would put a presale estimate of $25,000 to $35,000.
GUEST:
(chuckling): Okay, wow, that's amazing. My Aunt Rhoda would be so pleased, that's super.
APPRAISER:
This wonderful opening night box, I would put an estimate on this of $5,000 to $7,000.
GUEST:
Okay, wow. And the... the playbill, is there any, just as part of the collection?
APPRAISER:
I think it's part of the collection. Just as an opening night playbill, probably around $40 or $50.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
So you have brought really a wonderful treasure trove of NoÎl Coward memorabilia. Please enjoy it.
GUEST:
Thank you, I will.
APPRAISER:
It's a treasure.
GUEST:
Thank you so much. That's wonderful.
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