The January 2022 Palm Beach Collections Sale is pleased to feature property from the Perry-Belmont family. This union joined two historic American families; that of August Belmont I, a defining figure of America’s Golden Age, and Caroline Slidell Perry, the daughter of fame naval commander Commodore Matthew C. Perry.

In 1837, August Belmont I came to the United States as an agent for the Rothschild banking offices and later established August Belmont & Co. After the marriage took place between August Belmont I and Caroline Slidell Perry, the couple became trendsetters in Continental entertaining and built an extravagant Italianate summer home called By-the-Sea in Newport, Rhode Island. Mrs. Belmont, known for her exquisite jewels, reigned as “Queen of Society” in the mid-1860s. Their third son, Oliver Belmont, would build Newport’s famed Belcourt Castle and bequeath it to his wife, Alva Vanderbilt. The Belmont’s second son, August Belmont II, became head of August Belmont & Co. and financed New York City’s first subway line. His first wife, Elizabeth Hamilton Morgan, was a descendant of Alexander Hamilton. Elizabeth died prematurely and August II subsequently married Eleanor Robson, a leading lady of the American theater, who distinguished herself in social and philanthropic work.

Also on offer are works from the personal Collection of acclaimed interior designer Suzy Moran’s Palm Beach home, a Gentleman’s Collection from Atlanta, Georgia, works deaccessioned from the Boca Raton Museum of Art to benefit the Acquisitions Fund.

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Lot 162

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