Sotheby’s sets 2 new records after Madison Ave move
The Sotheby’s auction house has experienced a renaissance since move to Madison Avenue of Yorkville. From now on, “the ladies who lunch” come daily.
Sotheby’s moved into the former home of the Whitney Museum, on the corner of E. 75th St., and quickly set two records.
Gustav Klimt’s 1914 painting, “Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer,” of the treasure of the Leonard Lauder collection, was sold for 236 million dollars, the highest price for a work ever sold by the auction house. A 1940 Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait, entitled “The Dream (The Bed)”, was created for nearly $55 millionsetting a new record for any female artist.
A source said: “Sotheby’s was previously losing money on York Avenue, and staff feared losing jobs in a sluggish art market. What a difference a few blocks makes.”
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Hollywood’s hottest couple is rumored to be Glen Powell, who stars in “The Running Man,” and Michelle Randolphwho plays Billy Bob Thornton’s scantily clad daughter in “Landman.”
The pretty duo was spotted line dancing this past weekend in her hometown of Austin, Texas.
Randolph was also with Powell earlier in the month when he made his making his debut on “Saturday Night Live.” The two posed for one group photo with friendsincluding Powell’s former roommate, “Glee” alum Chord Overstreet.
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Hollywood jeweler Neil Lane – whose clients include Zoe Saldana, Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, Reese Witherspoon, Lady Gaga and Madonna – has just celebrated the launch of his new book “Radiance and Reverie” at Isabelle Bscher’s Galerie Gmurzynska in the Fuller Building on E. 57th St.
Guests included Marion Fasel, jewelry historianwho introduced Lane’s talk, as well as Lynn Yaeger, Fabiola Beracasa, Wendy Fisher, Lionel Geneste, Christine Cheng, Levi Higgs, Lee and Lili Siegelson, and “Of Air and Men” author Damien Lay.
Attendees browsed a rare collection of jewelry by Paul Flato and paintings by Joan Miro and Roberto Matta, and key works by Wifredo Lam, including the retrospective is currently on view at MoMA.
Lane shared stories about Mae West’s diamond braceletand precious stones belonging to Joan Crawford and Marlene Dietrich while signing copies of his book.
Lane also designed the engagement rings for ABC’s ‘Bachelor’ franchise for almost 20 years and declared that first ring was inspired by Jean Harlow’s wedding ring.
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It’s the season for sweets and cozy evenings by the fire, but not for the star of “The Verdict with Judge Hatchett.”
Glenda Hatchett, who has worked in television since 2000, not only practices law at the Stewart Miller Simmons firm in her hometown of Atlanta, her honor has also added fashion muse to her role.
Known for her love of vibrant prints and textures, Judge Hatchett caught the eye of New York designer Cesar Galindo during her recent Fashion Week show, and the couple instantly became best friends.
Judge Hatchett, who later enjoyed a private fitting at the Galindo showroom in Manhattan, will present special selections from her Spring 2026 collection as she prepares for her 25th anniversary on air.
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The annual fundraising dinner for the Jewish Heritage Museum began when Julianna Margulies, who served as emcee for the eventpresented the parents of Edan Alexandrea 21-year-old New Jersey native who was released in May after being held captive by Hamas in Gaza for 584 days.
The highlight of the event was a passionate 15-minute speech from Michael Rapaport, who said that although acting roles were harder to find because of his unapologetic defense of Israel throughout the Gaza conflict, he would do it again.
In the audience were new board chairman Daniel S. Loeb, “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Jackie Goldschneider, fashion designer Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss and billionaire businessman Larry Silverstein, THE developer of the rebuilt World Trade Center.
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Wall Street executive Joseph Hernandez launched his campaign for New York State comptrollerseeking the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic incumbent Tom DiNapoli.
“The state comptroller must be a strong, independent fiscal champion who defends the interests of taxpayers and restores confidence in New York State’s finances,” Hernandez said. “I’m a business builder, not a career politician.”
Born in Cuba and raised in Florida after fleeing the Castro regime, Hernández built a career taking several health care companies public. He previously ran for mayor of New York as an independent against Zohran Mamdani.
“My father was held prisoner by Fidel Castro because of his political beliefs,” Hernández said. “When a communist won the Democratic primary for mayorI felt the duty to move forward to defend freedom and the American dream.
Hernandez says the comptroller’s office must “serve as a critical check on the new Mamdani administration while protecting taxpayers and ensuring accountability.”
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Bartolo “Big Sexy” Colon – who has pitched for the Yankees, Mets and nine other MLB teams – partnered with SOMOS Community Care founder Dr. Ramon Tallaj to distribute 4,200 turkeys and 10,000 pounds of groceries from Goya Foods in Washington Heights before Thanksgiving.
Since its founding in 2015, SOMOS has provided tens of thousands of turkeys to New York families in need.
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Patti Smith celebrated 50th anniversary of his first album, “Horses” at the Beacon Theater with Clive Davis, who made it all possible.
Davis sat in the third row at center and received a standing ovation from the crowd as he walked to his seat.
Smith performed the entire album, then came back and did an encore of “Because the Night.” The crowd got an added bonus when Michael Stipe, who managed REM, took the stage and performed with Smith.
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Ne-Yo – currently in New York to make his Broadway debut in Alicia Keys’ musical “Hell’s Kitchen” – came out last weekend to support fellow actress Celina Savage.
The listening party for his first album, “Baby Names” was held in a private space in SoHo and attracted music industry insiders like producer Alex Da Kid and rapper Sleepy Hallow.
Celina, 19, opened for Robin Thicke at a charity event in the Hamptons in August.
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Jay Leno – with more than 180 cars and 160 motorcycles in his collection, worth a staggering $100 million – got behind the wheel of a rare 1934 Cadillac V-16 Fleetwood Town Sedan on his YouTube show “Jay Leno’s Garage”.
The comedian, along with car owner Steve Nannini, drove the massive Cadillac, which stretches more than 20 feet long, through the streets near his massive garage in Burbank, California.
Designed for royalty, only 206 of these Cadillacs were built, and only 53 survive today.
Leno marveled at the Caddy’s solid walnut interior and how smoothly the car handled on the road.
Between jokes, Leno said: “For three and a half tonnes, it steers pretty well!… The transmission is fabulous; it feels like a modern car.”
The Cadillac, which represents the pinnacle of pre-war American luxury and engineering, is being offered for sale by MS Rau in New Orleans for $1.25 million.
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Outside: Meryl Streep, Martin Short and Victor Garber have lunch at the West Bank Café in Hell’s Kitchen… Jerry Seinfeld and Colin Quinn at Shelly Firefighterat the Redeye Grill Memorial… Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen and television writer Mike Schur at a screening of “A Man on the Inside” at the Robin Williams Center… Bill Whitaker, David Muir, Peter Alexander, Rick Dees, Dr. Judy Kuriansky and Carmen D’Alessio at Gotham Hall for the Broadcasting Giants Luncheon.
