“Black Rock Galleries is such a fascinating place. There is always something new and interesting. Where else could you discover a six foot birthday cake from a television set one day and, on another, a chair that President Kennedy might just have sat on?” – Mayor Bill Finch
Bridgeport, Conn. (June 1, 2015) -- A taste of New York City high society is right here in Bridgeport – and up for sale.
Today, Black Rock Galleries (1720 Fairfield Ave.) will unveil an extensive collection from the Carlyle Hotel, the famed celebrity stomping ground on the Upper East Side.
“Black Rock Galleries is a such fascinating place,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “There is always something new and interesting. Where else could you discover a six-foot birthday cake from a television set one day and, on another, a chair that President Kennedy might just have sat on?”
The Carlyle Hotel Furniture & Decoration Sale boasts an extensive collection (hundreds upon hundreds) of furniture, lamps, mirrors, decoration, & silver -- most items in multiple quantities -- including faux bamboo ballroom chairs, club chairs, bergeres, fauteuils, upholstered and tufted headboards, coffee tables, end tables, occasional tables, stone top tables, chest of drawers, writing desks, footstools, many styles of table lamps, glass rod floor lamps, cream-painted barley twist floor lamps, gilt mirrors, and even the barstools from the famed Bemelman's Bar.
Also included in this sale is the Carlyle's amazing hotel silver collection including dozens of warming trays, chaffing dishes, cutlery, champagne/wine coolers on stands, coffee servers/urns, creamers, serving trays, and so much more. Everything is of hotel-quality-standard.
“The history of the Carlyle is so amazing,” said Grant Panarese, a managing director at BRG.
In fact, over the decades the Carlyle Hotel has boasted notable guests such as Mariah Carey, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Woody Allen, the Kennedy family, Princess Diana, Sinatra, George Clooney, Harry Truman, Michael Kors, and more recently Prince William and Duchess Kate during their trip to NYC. As a result, there is a good chance that buyers might obtain something a notable person used.
While doing research online Sunday, Panarese spotted a photo of President Kennedy sitting in an upholstered chair at the Carlyle. Panarese had two of identical chairs.
“Who knows,” he said. “Maybe Kennedy did sit in one of them. Maybe Marilyn Monroe sat right next to him and said, ‘Sweetheart, can you pour me another drink?’ You just don’t know. That’s what makes this so different. All the possibilities.”
The collection, which had been in storage for decades, now is on display at Black Rock Galleries. The sale will begin at 10 a.m. through 7 p.m. on Tuesday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.
The online sale will begin Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. exclusively through http://www.blackrockgalleries.com and will run continuously until the close of the sale on Thursday at 5 p.m.
"The Carlyle's legendary reputation for elegance and superior discretion for their guests has always been a draw for celebs as well as national and international dignitaries," said Christie Spooner, BRG's other managing partner. "If the Carlyle's furniture and decor could speak, what a story they'd have to tell! This is an excellent opportunity for folks to own a piece of this influential institution."