The Estate of Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman

NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle is honored to auction the Estate of Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman. Wendy was born in California to Manuela Hudson and Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt II, a pioneer in thoroughbred racing, whose father had gone down on the Lusitania. She grew up between Palm Beach and Manhattan and was featured in one of Lilly Pulitzer’s first advertising campaigns. Although she enjoyed the social circuit, Wendy chose to devote her time to her loving children and her remarkable art. Her artistic expression spanned several mediums, including extraordinary sculptures in wood and aluminum, evocative paintings in acrylic and watercolor, and her bold eclectic fashion. After attending Sarah Lawrence College, Wendy married Orin Lehman, New York State’s longest-serving commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and a great-grandson of Mayer Lehman, a founder of the Lehman Brothers investment firm.

Property from the Estate of Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman will be offered in a series of auctions.

Furniture, Decorations, Art & Fashion Jewelry / May 23

The May 23 sale features furniture, decorations and art from Wendy’s elegant Manhattan apartment and her country house in Water Mill, New York, in addition to her collection of colorful fashion jewelry by Kenneth Jay Lane and Iradj Moini.  View Catalogue

Fine Jewelry / June 13

Offered on June 13 will be fine jewelry from Wendy’s collection, including designs by Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and Tiffany & Co. Catalogue available May 24.

Past Auction:

Important Jewelry / April 24

A special section of the April 24 auction of Important Jewelry was devoted to important jewelry and objets de vertu from Wendy’s collection, comprising lots 279 – 293. Highlighting the collection was a rare and exceptional pair of platinum and diamond feather clips by Paul Flato, 1930s, estimated at $30,000-50,000 that sold for $106,250.  View Catalogue

Jewelry Breakfast with David Patrick Columbia / April 20

Over two hundred guests attended a breakfast with David Patrick Columbia of NewYorkSocialDiary.com as he shared his memories of Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman. The event was hosted within the exhibition of Important Jewelry, including jewelry from the Estate of Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman offered on April 24. Also on view were her remarkable collection of colorful fashion jewelry by Iradj Moini and Kenneth Jay Lane to be offered on May 23.