NEW YORK, NY.- On May 17, Christie's will present a sale of over 150 exceptional works from the personal collection of Van Cliburn, one of America’s greatest pianists. The collection comprises superb examples of English furniture, Russian Art, Silver and Jewels reflecting Mr. Cliburn’s refined taste and the private passion of a sophisticated connoisseur. With estimates ranging from $1,000 to $250,000, the total sale is expected to achieve in excess of $3 million.

William Strafford, Head of Private Collections, said: “It is a tremendous honor for Christie's to offer the Van Cliburn Collection, which reveals a uniquely personal side to this supremely talented musician. Mr. Cliburn's passionate pursuit of perfection in his music is reflected in the superb works of art he acquired for his personal collection, with historically important and rare examples of English furniture and silver complimented by dazzling works of art from Russia, a country where he remains revered today.”

Van Cliburn said: “From the beginning of my concert life, I would spend my earnings from performances searching for something beautiful of timeless quality to remember different concerts in various cities. I have always found throughout my life that beauty raises your consciousness and provides incalculable inspiration. I hope that some of the beauty that has inspired me for decades will find others who appreciate them as much as I always have.”

Van Cliburn
Van Cliburn (b. 1934) is one of America’s greatest pianists in the history of music and a persuasive ambassador for American culture. Since his historic 1958 victory at the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, Mr. Cliburn has reached across political frontiers with the universal message of beautiful music. In that same year, he appeared on the cover of Time Magazine who billed him “The Texan Who Conquered Russia.” Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, he began piano studies at age three and was twelve when he made his orchestral debut with the Houston Symphony Orchestra. After graduating from Kilgore High School, he studied at Juilliard School in New York City. Mr. Cliburn has received more than twenty honorary doctorate degrees. He has provided scholarships at many schools worldwide and has performed for every President of the United States since Harry Truman and for royalty and heads of state in Europe, Asia, and South America. He has received the Kennedy Center Honors, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Order of Friendship from President Vladimir Putin, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and recently President Barack Obama honored Mr. Cliburn with the National Medal of Arts.