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THE CORNELL COLLECTIONS
01 / SPECIAL AUCTION
NOVEMBER 21, 2026 · BELLPORT & ONLINE
The Magpie
and the Swans
The Possessions of Truman Capote
Collected over a lifetime between New York and Sagaponack, and preserved since 1984 by his biographer Gerald Clarke, these personal possessions offer an intimate glimpse into the life of one of America's most iconic writers.
LOT 7 · SHOWN WITH LOT 2
The carved bulldog
LOT 69
Colette's gift
LOT 1
Felix the Cat
With Maggie’s collar
GENUINE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE ORIGINAL CORNELL CAPOTE CATALOGUE
The white rose paperweight
A wonderfully odd companion
THE STORY BEHIND THE SALE
A life in
objects.
Gifts, mementos and everyday possessions passed between Truman Capote and his close friend and biographer, Gerald Clarke. Preserved for decades, they reveal a portrait of the writer that is intimate, eccentric and deeply human.
From a paperweight given to him by Colette to a carved bulldog and a jointed Felix the Cat, this is a collection that refuses to be ordinary.
FROM THE COLLECTION
Some things you don’t forget.
LOT 174
Jack Dunphy’s typewriter
Olivetti Underwood Lettera 32
LOT 191
A carnival curiosity
Folk-art bean bag toss target
LOT 205
A cup with a face
With a Black Forest carved wood tray
A selection of genuine catalogue photographs. More objects to explore when the official auction catalogue opens.
THE OFFICIAL CATALOGUE
Every object has a story.
Explore the collection through Cornell’s original catalogue, featuring the photographs and descriptions behind this special auction.
OFFICIAL AUCTION LINK TO BE ADDED WHEN VERIFIED
ORIGINAL CORNELL AUCTIONS ARTWORK
SAVE THE DATE
November
21.
The Magpie and the Swans
The Possessions of Truman Capote
Bellport, New York · Live online worldwide
Online preview and bidding begin October 26, 2026
REGISTRATION AND CATALOGUE LINKS PENDING VERIFICATION.
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