Rockwell portrait of Coca-Cola exec in spotlight at Ahlers & Ogletree, Feb. 26

ATLANTA – Items from the estate of Robert W. Woodruff (1889-1985), the American businessman and philanthropist who served as president of the Coca-Cola Company from 1923 to 1955, will be offered on Saturday, February 26 by Ahlers & Ogletree, starting at 10 am Eastern time. Items from Woodruff’s wife Nell, who was a Red Cross nurse, will also be sold. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

The more than 400 lots will include portraits of Woodruff by Norman Rockwell and Thomas Stephens; a portrait of George Washington by former President Dwight Eisenhower, Woodruff’s longtime friend and golfing partner; a Thomas C. Molesworth Jack Rabbit stand; diamond jewelry worn by Nell; and Coca-Cola items, furniture items and decorative objects.

Also featured will be items pertaining to Woodruff’s longtime friendship with legendary golfer Bobby Jones, including a birthday letter from Jones and Eisenhower to Woodruff, and also items relating to cigars and pipes, including the custom cabinet made for Woodruff by Dunhill to house his personal pipe collection.

The portrait of Woodruff by the American artist-illustrator Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) shows Woodruff as a young man. The charcoal on paper is signed by the artist and estimated at $20,000-$40,000. The portrait by Thomas Stephens (British and American, 1885-1966) depicts an older Woodruff holding his trademark cigar. The signed oil on canvas should realize $10,000-$20,000.

Who knew Dwight Eisenhower was a painter? The president’s Portrait of George Washington after Gilbert Stuart is signed lower left and comes with a plaque that reads, “To Nell and Bob from their friend Ike.” It carries an estimate of $10,000-$20,000. Also, a personal 1958 Christmas card from the Eisenhowers to the Woodruffs, depicting Ike and Mamie in whimsical Santa suits, should finish at $500-$700. The card is from a limited-edition run of 200.

The furniture category will be led by a large British 19th-century George III-style mahogany breakfront bookcase with glazed doors, estimated at $4,000-$6,000.

Personal jewelry items from Nell Woodruff will include a platinum and diamond engagement ring given to her by Robert, which features a 4.61-carat marquise brilliant cut center diamond of F-color and SI1 clarity. Its estimate is $80,000-$120,000. Another standout is an early 20th-century Black, Starr and Frost Art Deco vanity case or compact, made from 14K yellow and white gold, rose cut diamonds, jadeite jade, enamel and Bakelite, and fitted with a mirror. It is estimated at $4,000-$6,000.

The Thomas C. Molesworth (American, 1890-1977) 1938 Jack Rabbit sculpture, made from painted wrought iron, comes with a typed poem by Mrs. Molesworth. It is estimated at $10,000-$15,000. Also sold will be a patinated bronze sculpture by Franz Bergmann (Austrian, 1861-1936), aka Nam Greb, titled Mameluk Warrior and estimated at $5,000-$10,000.

An 18th-century seven-piece George III neoclassical Adams sterling silver oval epergne centerpiece, with the marks of William Pitts and Joseph Preedy (London, active 1791-1799), inscribed to Robert Woodruff, has an estimate of $6,000-$9,000. Also, a five-piece sterling silver tea and coffee service in the Duncan pattern by Fisher Silversmiths (American, founded 1936), with Nell Woodruff’s monogram, weighing a total of 81.71 troy oz., should sell for $3,500-$4,500.

Naturally, the sale includes Coca-Cola memorabilia, led by two of Robert Woodruff’s personal advertising lighters: one a Hadson Blue Bird musical lighter with Woodruff’s initials and the other a Scripto Vu-Lighter with his name. They will be offered together with an estimate of $150-$300.

 

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