Here is the story of an engagement ring, given to Peggy McGrath, from a photo used by Christie's in a recent auction:
'The winter of 1939-40 was an enjoyable one for David Rockefeller, the lengthening shadow of war notwithstanding. When not working on his doctoral dissertation, he was pursuing an idyllic courtship with Peggy McGrath, whom he had first met at a debutante party on Long Island.
'At Kykuit, the Rockefeller family home in Pocantico Hills, New York, David recalled how the couple ‘listened to the player organ together or picnicked at some beautiful spot, where we would go on horseback’, and ‘took long walks together through the woods, talking for hours on end’. Finally, in June 1940, David drew out all his savings — about $4,000 — and asked Peggy to marry him.
'This ring, selected from Raymond Yard for the occasion, featured a rectangular, step-cut diamond weighing 5.63 carats. ‘We don’t know much about other gifts David gave Peggy while they were dating, but this one speaks volumes about the level of their commitment,’ says Daphne Lingon, Christie’s Head of Jewellery in New York.'
'Raymond Yard began his career as a 13-year-old messenger at Marcus & Co. in New York. After rising to become one of the jewellery house’s most sought-after salesmen, Yard had established on his own in 1922 with the encouragement of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who had been impressed by Yard’s knowledge and honest demeanour. ....
‘Whether they were buying directly from him, or he was advising them on purchases from elsewhere, Raymond Yard remained a steadfast guide for the Rockefell
.....
'The winter of 1939-40 was an enjoyable one for David Rockefeller, the lengthening shadow of war notwithstanding. When not working on his doctoral dissertation, he was pursuing an idyllic courtship with Peggy McGrath, whom he had first met at a debutante party on Long Island.
'At Kykuit, the Rockefeller family home in Pocantico Hills, New York, David recalled how the couple ‘listened to the player organ together or picnicked at some beautiful spot, where we would go on horseback’, and ‘took long walks together through the woods, talking for hours on end’. Finally, in June 1940, David drew out all his savings — about $4,000 — and asked Peggy to marry him.
'This ring, selected from Raymond Yard for the occasion, featured a rectangular, step-cut diamond weighing 5.63 carats. ‘We don’t know much about other gifts David gave Peggy while they were dating, but this one speaks volumes about the level of their commitment,’ says Daphne Lingon, Christie’s Head of Jewellery in New York.'
'Raymond Yard began his career as a 13-year-old messenger at Marcus & Co. in New York. After rising to become one of the jewellery house’s most sought-after salesmen, Yard had established on his own in 1922 with the encouragement of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who had been impressed by Yard’s knowledge and honest demeanour. ....
‘Whether they were buying directly from him, or he was advising them on purchases from elsewhere, Raymond Yard remained a steadfast guide for the Rockefell
.....
'For David Rockefeller, meanwhile, the ring continued to represent the pinnacle of enlightened thinking. ‘Asking Peggy to marry me was the best decision I ever made," [he said later.]....'
According to her Wapo obituary
'Mrs. Rockefeller, whose husband, David Rockefeller, was former chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank, was a founder of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and the American Farmland Trust.
'She operated farms in Maine and Upstate New York and specialized in breeding Simmental cattle, attracting cattle buyers from around the world. Once described in a history of the Rockefeller family as "an intuitive rebel" with "an unadmitted hunger for independence," she preferred to stay out of the public spotlight.'
This auction referenced above, the proceeds of which went to charity, included of cats, only this feline item.
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A PAIR OF ENGLISH PORCELAIN SMALL MODELS OF LEOPARDS
CIRCA 1820, POSSIBLY ROCKINGHAM
Here is the official description:
'Each spotted cat standing on an oval base enriched with gilt
3⅛ in. (7.8 cm.) long
'Provenance
Acquired from Delomosne & Son, London, 1947.'
We juxtapose these extremes of value, of type, as footnotes to the meaning of cultural value.
According to her Wapo obituary
'Mrs. Rockefeller, whose husband, David Rockefeller, was former chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank, was a founder of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and the American Farmland Trust.
'She operated farms in Maine and Upstate New York and specialized in breeding Simmental cattle, attracting cattle buyers from around the world. Once described in a history of the Rockefeller family as "an intuitive rebel" with "an unadmitted hunger for independence," she preferred to stay out of the public spotlight.'
This auction referenced above, the proceeds of which went to charity, included of cats, only this feline item.
A PAIR OF ENGLISH PORCELAIN SMALL MODELS OF LEOPARDS
CIRCA 1820, POSSIBLY ROCKINGHAM
Here is the official description:
'Each spotted cat standing on an oval base enriched with gilt
3⅛ in. (7.8 cm.) long
'Provenance
Acquired from Delomosne & Son, London, 1947.'
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