From Le Creuset to Celine — Joan Didion’s personal possessions can now be yours
A chance to get yourself a part of author and critic Joan Didion’s estate is up for grabs, with various nicknacks that draw a bridge between the artist’s personal life and her work up for sale. A writer known for lucid prose and exploration into social unrest and culture, she set her role in American literature as one of its most distinctive voices.
Stair Galleries in New York are hosting the estate sale, where proceeds will go towards research of Parkinson’s, the disease Didion had at her time of death, at Columbia University, and the Sacramento Historical Society for the benefit of Sacramento City College scholarship for women in literature.
The auction holds some of her most beloved items which she and her husband John Gregory Dunne had collected over the years they shared their California homes and New York Upper East Side apartment until Dunne’s death in 2003. Didion then occupied the apartment herself until her death last year.
HUNGER peruses the collection of one of literature’s greatest writers, and o
Joan Didion’s Celine sunnies are a beautiful piece that offers a glimpse into the eyes of the writer.. Fashionable and mysterious, the buyer of these will be one lucky fan in her signature oversized sunglasses.
A six piece Le creuset crockery set that has been well loved is on sale, with three casserole dishes and mini accomplice in a fiery orange, plus two other pans in the collection.
You can also purchase a crisp set of white napkins, which features the writer’s name embroidered on the scalloped edges for that ever-so-classy touch. Let’s hope the buyer keeps them in the same immaculate condition.
Novelty ‘Maybe Broccoli Doesn’t Like You’ Apron
An oddly surprising but frankly redeeming novelty apron has been chosen to be auctioned, which reads ‘Maybe Broccoli Doesn’t Like You Either. Joan clearly had a secret love for tacky souvenirs behind closed doors.
Two Pictures of Herself on her Desk
If we were half as brilliant as Didion, we too would frame our portraits and put ourselves on our desk. It seems like the best addition to any aspiring writer’s setup, and a quick glimpse of Joan in a small golden frame could inspire the next great novel.
An extravagant way to serve appetisers, the Limoges souvenir fish plates make us think Didion served her famous creative friends with a certain panache. With 11 in total, the dinner-hosting possibilities are endless.
The little blush shade teacup set is a tad twee for Didion compared to her other belongings, but makes the collection all the more varied. The top of the ceramic spills over in this beautiful design, and would make afternoon tea all the more worthwhile.
Recline back in the writer’s rattan chair, and recreate the photographs Didion had taken of her in it multiple times. The long back and mountain of cushions make it a throne to remember.
Press your ear against one and listen to the sea with this bunch of seashells detailing the dedication Didion had to California. Imagine her picking them up one by one to curate quite an impressive array of ocean treasures.
This set of images were taken for Time Magazine in 1968, and show the writer coolly leaning against her Stingray Corvette in one of her most iconic images. Whoever gets this piece will have to hang it in the best part of the house for all to see.
