JEWELRY
"Being Mrs. Frank Sinatra took some getting used to, but my romantic husband went out of his way to make me feel loved and cherished every day, taking the time to express his feelings. He turned every day into Christmas."

Sotheby’s will offer a selection of Barbara’s personal jewelry collection across the December sales, with a significant portion highlighting the Magnificent Jewels auction on 4 December in New York. The collection reflects her dynamic lifestyle with Frank, from daytime gold pieces by Marina B. worn at Palm Springs lunches and tennis events to the ultra-glamorous diamond and gemstone pieces by Van Cleef & Arpels that she wore at award shows, concerts and social engagements with Frank and their friends. Many of the pieces were fashioned to Barbara’s personal specifications by her jewelers of choice, and a number of them were picked out and gifted to Barbara by Mr. Sinatra himself, who enjoyed surprising his wife with luxurious jewels and gemstones.

According to her memoir, the emerald-cut 20-carat diamond ring offered in the 4 December Magnificent Jewels sale was one of two given to Barbara in a pivotal moment in their four years of courtship. Frank threw two huge jewels onto the bed and told her to pick one. Once her chosen stone had been set, he dropped it into her glass of champagne, but he still hadn’t proposed – until she made him choose which finger to put it on.

PERSONAL ACCESSORIES
The collection also features a selection of iconic clothing and personal accessories the couple wore throughout their travels, special occasions or around town in Palm Springs. Highlights include: Frank’s custom made Cyril Castle Tuxedo and Di Fabrizio shoes which he wore to a number of concerts and galas; an orange jacket embroidered with Frank’s initials that he wore on his private jet; a silver pill box engraved ‘You’re a pill/ love, Barbara,’ and a “U.S. Drinking Team” jacket custom made for Frank and his closest friends, with Frank’s as the designated ‘Coach.’ The auction also offers a special gold plated and enamel police badge inscribed “Frank Sinatra, Chairman of the Board, State of New Jersey, Essex County," with matching police cap.

FURNITURE & DECORATIVE ARTS
“Some of the best times were when we’d stay in just the two of us, and Frank would prepare me a romantic meal. He’d spend an entire afternoon in the kitchen he’d designed himself, cooking up a series of delicious Italian dishes. He’d light the candles, arrange the flowers, and woo me all over again.”

The couple loved to entertain at their homes in Palm Springs, Los Angeles and Malibu, often inviting their famous friends Gregory Peck, Kirk Douglas, Robert Moore and Robert Wagner and their families for holidays and special occasions. From a glass and patinated bronze ‘Peony’ Table Lamp by Tiffany Studios, and Art Deco-inspired furniture by Karl Springer, to a group of Fabergé boxes and picture frames, the collection on offer provides an intimate look at what the couple chose to surround themselves with. Of special note is a 20th century Pottery Lettuceware service by Dodie Thayer, which Barbara personally acquired from the designer in Palm Beach and used frequently when entertaining.

SPORTS MEMORABILIA
Both Barbara and Frank held a deep appreciation for sports, and were avid tennis and golf players. Every year, the couple would host The Frank Sinatra Celebrity Golf Invitational in Palm Springs, the proceeds of which benefitted the Barbara Sinatra Center for Abused Children. The auctions will offer the blazers they wore to the 1990 invitational, in addition to a set of Frank’s golf clubs. Additional memorabilia includes a baseball signed by the 1980 Los Angeles Dodgers, a 2000 World Series Baseball signed by Joe Torre, and a United States Olympic Team Windbreaker, embroidered with Frank’s initials F.A.S on the front.