$1,778
Collection of Original Drawings Designed for Seaman Schepps, 1939-1945, all by Jordine Turboff, several of which appear as finished products in "Seaman Schepps: A Century of New York Jewelry Design" by Amanda Vaill and Janet Zapata, including the ruby and diamond grouper, p. 122, swan with pearl, p. 140, ruby and diamond chicken, p. 110, and diamond chick, p. 31, and other "sample" drawings, fifty-two total. Note: Jordine Turboff came from Russia as a small child and grew up in Brooklyn, New York where she attended Pratt University. She worked for Seaman Schepps from 1939-1945, and her clients ranged from movie stars such as Marlene Dietrich, the Barrymores, Errol Flynn (who would often flirt with her), and Merle Oberon, to Eleanor Roosevelt and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. She would often say that Mrs. Simpson had a taste for the richest stones and for the simplest designs. When she left Schepps in 1945, Mr. Schepps gave her these designs (production and finished) as a wedding present. The above lot represents only a fraction of her work. After leaving Schepps, Ms. Turboff concentrated on her painting, then using her married and middle name "Yari Levine" and is listed in many publications, including "Who's Who in American Women". The smallest is 2 3/4 x 2 1/8, the largest is 5 1/2 x 4 1/8. Average is maybe 3 1/2 x 3 1/2.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2009-09-15
