The Estate of Lena Horne to be Auctioned on February 23 at Doyle New York

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Feb 15, 2011, 10:56 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Doyle New York, one of the world's foremost auctioneers and appraisers, will auction the estate of the legendary performer and civil rights pioneer Lena Horne on Wednesday, February 23 at 2pm. The auction offers approximately 200 lots of fine art, costume jewelry, accessories, gowns, memorabilia, decorations, silver, furniture, photographs and books from Lena Horne's home on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Highlighting the auction is a colorful abstract painting by famed African-American artist Charles Alston. It is estimated to sell for $30,000-50,000. Other works from Lena Horne's art collection include a painting of boaters by David Burliuk, a portrait painting of her by Geoffrey Holder, and a bronze sculpture of her by Peter Lambda. Photographs in the sale feature works by African-American photographer James Van Der Zee, fashion photographer Richard Avedon, and Carl Van Vechten.

From Lena Horne's wardrobe are luxurious costume jewelry and accessories by Chanel, couture by Giorgio di Sant'Angelo, and trunks by Louis Vuitton.

Among the books and autographs are inscribed books from Eloise illustrator Hilary Knight, Madeline author Ludwig Bemelmans, and African-American writer Langston Hughes.

Born in Brooklyn, Lena Horne (1917-2010) began her professional life at 16 in the chorus line at Harlem's Cotton Club, before moving to Hollywood and appearing in a series of acclaimed film roles. Beginning in the 1950s, she focused increasingly on live performance, becoming one of the world's premiere nightclub entertainers. Through her many recordings and television appearances, millions more became her fans.

The public is invited to the exhibition of the Estate of Lena Horne on view from Friday, February 18 through Tuesday, February 22. Doyle New York is located at 175 East 87th Street in Manhattan.

The free, fully illustrated Internet auction catalogue may be viewed at DoyleNewYork.com. The deluxe souvenir auction catalogue with a biography of Lena Horne by her daughter, Gail Lumet Buckley, is available for $25. For information, call 212-427-2730 or visit DoyleNewYork.com.

SOURCE Doyle New York