Gavel & Grace: Freeman’s to Offer the Estate of the Honorable Sandra Schultz Newman Featuring a Prestigious Jewelry Offering in New York Followed by a Dedicated Single-Owner Sale in Philadelphia

Freeman’s is honored to present Gavel & Grace: The Estate of the Honorable Sandra Schultz Newman, a collection that reflects the life and legacy of one of Philadelphia’s most distinguished and pioneering figures.  

 

A native of the city, Justice Newman built a groundbreaking legal career defined by a series of historic firsts—from serving as Montgomery County’s first female assistant district attorney to becoming the first woman elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Her tenure on the bench and decades in private practice established her as a sharp, tenacious advocate and a relentless trailblazer for women in law.  

Beyond her professional achievements, Justice Newman was a commanding presence in Philadelphia’s cultural and social spheres. Frequently described as a “force of nature,” she moved effortlessly between the courtroom and the city’s most prominent gatherings, cultivating a reputation not only as a jurist, but as a discerning tastemaker. That sensibility is evident throughout the collection she assembled over a lifetime, spanning fine art, design, and jewelry. 

The auction series begins in New York on June 10 with the inclusion of Justice Newman’s personal jewelry in the Important Jewelry sale. Then in Philadelphia on June 23, Freeman’s will host a dedicated, live single-owner sale featuring the fine art and design that formed the backdrop of her private life. Finally, additional jewelry will be included in the online, June 24 Essential Jewelry sale. 
 
Lauren Colavita, Specialist, Fine Art, Head of Sale, states: “Justice Sandra Schultz Newman was a force of nature—dynamic, fearless, and entirely original—and her collection reflects that same spirit. She gravitated toward objects with presence and personality, creating a collection that is as bold, distinctive, and unforgettable as she was.” 

 

 
 
Diamond and Platinum Ring, featuring an emerald cut diamond weighing 19.12 carats | Estimate $350,000 – 450,000 
 

Important Jewelry: New York (June 10, 2026) 
 

The first opportunity for collectors to engage with the estate occurs on June 10 in New York, where Justice Newman’s fierce eye for gemstones and bold design will be a highlight of the Important Jewelry auction. The centerpiece of this selection is a staggering 19.12-carat emerald-cut diamond ring (estimate: $350,000 – 450,000), a piece with a storied history purchased with the winnings from her record-setting racehorse, Nihilator. Her passion for the equestrian world, shared with her son, is further evidenced by a striking Diamond, Sapphire and Gold Horse Brooch, a Gold Equestrian Bracelet, and a charming Enamel and Gold Stick Pin depicting a harness race in action. 
 

The collection also features extraordinary colorful specimens, such as a suite of Retro gold and diamond jewelry with an asymmetrical ribbon design centering large amethysts and pear-cut citrine drops. Alongside these personal treasures are subtle nods to her trailblazing career, including 14K Gold Cufflinks and a Diamond and 14K Gold Ring with her monogram, representing a lifetime of professional and personal achievement. 

 

Alex Katz, Trishie and Laddy (Lady), 1975 | Estimate $600,000 – 800,000

Harry Bertoia, Bush Form, c. 1970s | Estimate $50,000 – 70,000 
Vladimir Kagan, Bar cabinet | Estimate $5,000 – 7,000 

 
 

Single-Owner Sale - Fine Art & Design: Philadelphia (June 23, 2026) 
Gavel & Grace: The Estate of the Honorable Sandra Schultz Newman 

The auction series continues June 23 in Philadelphia with a live, dedicated sale of Justice Newman’s fine art and design. The premier highlight of this session is Alex Katz’s 1975 painting Trishie and Laddy (Lady), which carries the highest estimate in the collection at $600,000 – 800,000. A close-cropped view of a woman and her dog set within a sunlit park, the work reflects Katz’s ability to distill personality while exploring broader social types through portraiture. 

In Trishie and Laddy (Lady), Katz presents a specific moment between the two subjects while also suggesting a more universal dynamic. Subtle visual parallels link the pair: the V-neck of the woman’s blouse echoes the triangular openness of the dog’s mouth, while the soft fringe of her bangs finds a counterpart in the waves of the dog’s ears. Katz’s characteristically flat handling of color—built from warm pinks, oranges, and browns set against lush greens—removes extraneous detail and centers attention on expression and mood. 

The contrast between the figures defines the composition. Trishie’s downcast eyes and composed, carefully arranged appearance—accentuated by her vertical beehive hairstyle—convey a sense of stillness and restraint. In contrast, Laddy’s animated presence, with the extended snout and panting mouth, introduces energy and immediacy. Through this juxtaposition, Katz captures both a particular relationship and a familiar pairing of composure and exuberance, offering a scene that feels at once personal and widely recognizable. 

The sale also features a remarkable group of five sculptures by Harry Bertoia (1915–1978), illustrating the breadth of his practice across materials, scale, and form. Working in brass, copper, and steel, Bertoia developed a sculptural language that moves fluidly between design and fine art, exploring line, texture, and spatial interaction. 

Highlights include a finely wrought brass and copper wall hanging (estimate: $20,000 – 30,000), whose open lattice appears to float against the wall, and a large, oxidized copper sculpture, Organic Form (estimate: $30,000 – 50,000), with a verdigris patina that evokes natural, almost geological qualities. The tall steel Spray (estimate: $25,000 – 35,000) with upward-reaching branches, suggests organic growth despite its industrial material, while two “bush” forms—one intimate and tabletop in scale (estimate: $50,000 – 70,000), the other slightly larger (estimate: $70,000 – 90,000)—demonstrate how subtle shifts in size can transform a work’s presence. Together, these five works offer a compelling cross-section of Bertoia’s experimentation with form, scale, and material. 

 

Bösendorfer, 1986, Grand Piano, Model 225 | Estimate $20,000 – 40,000 

Additional Auction Highlights 

• Bösendorfer, 1986, Grand Piano, Model 225 
  Estimate: $20,000 – 40,000 

• Dorothea Tanning, Double Curve with Scholar, c. 1985 
  Estimate: $15,000 – 25,000 

• Ernest Trova, Study/Falling Man (Walking Jackman), 1985 
  Estimate: $15,000 – 25,000 

• Jasper Johns, Two Flags, 1980 
  Estimate: $15,000 – 25,000 

• Red Grooms, Thomas Jefferson with a Quill Pen, 1982 
  Estimate: $10,000 – 15,000 

• Pablo Picasso, Femme Echevelee, 1963, Glazed ceramic plate 
  Estimate: $8,000 – 12,000 

• Vladimir Kagan, Bar cabinet 
  Estimate: $5,000 – 7,000 

Justice Newman’s collection reflects a sophisticated vision shaped by the same precision and insight that defined her historic tenure on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Freeman’s is honored to present this curated legacy, which stands as a vibrant tribute to her distinguished eye and lifelong dedication to the arts. 

 

Auction Schedule

Important Jewelry, featuring The Newman Estate 
June 10, 2026 | Live, New York 

 
Gavel & Grace: The Estate of the Honorable Sandra Schultz Newman,  
Single-Owner Sale 
June 23, 2026 | Live, Philadelphia  

Essential Jewelry 
June 24, 2026 | Online 
 

Auction Previews 
 
Jewelry from the Newman Estate will be included in the Important Jewelry sale national tour: 

Palm Beach (highlights only) 
May 6–7 | 10 am – 5 pm 

Los Angeles (highlights only) 
May 14–15 | By appointment only 

Chicago 
May 26–28 | 10 am – 5 pm 

Philadelphia (highlights only) 
June 2–3 | 10 am – 5 pm 

New York 
June 5–9 | Weekdays: 10 am – 5 pm; Weekends: 11 am – 5 pm 

Fine art highlights from the Newman Estate, including Alex Katz’s Trishie and Laddy (Lady), will be on view in New York during the Post War & Contemporary Art sale preview: 

May 6–9, 11–12 | 10 am – 5 pm 
Closed May 10 

Additional highlights from the single-owner sale will be exhibited in New York May 16 – June 10.

 

How to Bid  

The Important Jewelry and Gavel & Grace: The Estate of the Honorable Sandra Schultz Newman auctions will be offered live in Freeman’s salerooms. Bidding will be available in person, over the phone, and via absentee or live online bidding.