Christie’s Auctioning Items from Pianist Cliburn
Posted/updated on: May 17, 2012 at 2:30 am
FORT WORTH (AP) — Legendary classical pianist Van Cliburn is parting with more than 150 items he acquired over five decades performing around the globe. The items will be part of a Christie’s auction Thursday in New York City. They include a silver soup tureen from the collection of a daughter of a 19th century Russian Czar.
Cliburn, who grew up in Kilgore, says he’s contemplated the sale for years, since moving belongings out of homes in two other states to his Fort Worth mansion. Cliburn started collecting the furniture, paintings and jewelry after winning the first International Tchaikovsky Competition held in Moscow at age 23. The 1958 event was at the height of the Cold War, and the lanky Texan quickly gained international fame.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Cliburn is keeping plenty of his treasures.
