THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996 TAG: 9604250416
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Guy Friddell
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
In New York, in the most opulent yard sale ever staged, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' personal belongings are being auctioned by Sotheby's before a house of 1,500 and a global TV audience, notably, for Tuesday night's opening, via Larry King, the essential vulgarian.
He is vulgarian in being of the vulgar tongue popularizing instantly an event for the masses. The seal of celebrityhood is a visit with him on the rustling edge of the onrushing wave of world renown.
Jacqueline Kennedy - one keeps forgetting Onassis who, after all, was a kind of aberration necessary only to fortify her and hers behind a wall of cash - signified refinement and sophistication. So there was irony in the dispersal of her personal effects being refracted to viewers through the voluble King.
Although, and one keeps encountering such offsets, a young Jacqueline sought to begin a career as an inquiring reporter on the street in Washington and wound up as a Doubleday editor. Tucked away must be a memoir for her children's children's generation, her triumphant last word on us all.
With King were writer Pierre Salinger, critic George Plimpton, dress designer Valentino, and comedienne Joan Rivers who bought a painting for her daughter.
``How much did it cost?'' blurted vulgarian King. Somewhat taken aback, Rivers said it was cataloged for $2,000. She bid $10,000.
That hefty markup pales alongside the humidor Milton Berle gave to President Kennedy. Coupling two spheres, it fetched $574,500.
Valentino, treasuring memories of Jacqueline, mentioned he hoped to buy a tiny memento whereupon Rivers said the sensible thing would be to notify the family of one's wish whereupon the loved ones would tender it as a gift.
Salinger murmured nobody else had been intelligent enough to think of that. But, would it not put the family on the spot of having to comply or sully a friendship?
Somebody recalled that when a cabinetmaker shelved Jacqueline's apartment she asked if he would rather receive as payment a letter from her suitable for framing.
How could one reject any offer from the queen of Camelot?
As the topic kept recurring, Valentino looked as if he yearned to retreat with his memories.
At the close Plimpton was going to offer a story of Jacqueline's wry humor, but King, breaking in, said to hold it until after they heard from Sotheby's vice president.
Then the show closed, depriving viewers of what promised to be the keenest insight of the evening.
Editor Jacqueline certainly wouldn't have approved of that omission. One day one hopes to catch up with Plimpton.
``This is a big event'' said Rivers. ``This and Halley's comet.''
The comet fizzled. The show goes on. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Many of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' belongings are being auctioned
by Sotheby's in New York.
by CNB