Andy Williams – More than just a pretty voice
In addition to his musical accomplishments, Andy Williams, the popular American singer and TV host of the 1950s-1970s assembled a remarkable collection of Navajo blankets that adorned his home, offices and his Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri. The weavings also starred in a critically acclaimed 1997–1998 exhibition at the St Louis Art Museum. Now, after his death last year aged 84, the Andy Williams Collection of Navajo Blankets is to be offered for sale at Sotheby’s in New York on 21 May 2013. In the words of David Roche, Senior Consultant to Sotheby’s American Indian Art Department, “There are few groups of Navajo blankets in private hands that have the depth and quality of The Andy Williams Collection. The comprehensive collection was started several decades ago when Andy Williams was one of just a handful of people looking to acquire such blankets.” Pick of bunch is one of the great icons of the American Indian art canon, a Navajo First Phase Chief-style man’s wearing blanket with bayeta (ravelled red wool), one of the rarest types of Navajo blanket, of which fewer than a dozen are known. It is estimated to bring $200/300,000, while overall the collection is expected to fetch in excess of $1 million.
Navajo Classic Chief-style men’s wearing blanket with bayeta:, $200,000 – 300,000
NAVAJO CLASSIC WOMAN’S SHOULDER BLANKET, Estimate: $35,000 – 55,000
Navajo Early Regional Pictorial Blanket, $7,000 – 10,000
Navajo late Classic Woman’s Manta, Estimate: $ 25,000 – 45,000
Navajo Classic Child’s Blanket, $12-18,000
Navajo Classic Woman’s dress, $40,000 – 60,000
