In 1953, she married Vincent Astor, the oldest son of millionaire John Jacob Astor IV, who died on the Titanic in 1912. An expressionistic portrait of Vincent Astor as a young lieutenant has an estimate of $600 to $800.

As a child, Astor lived with her parents in China, and Asian art remained a passion throughout her life. She financed the replication of a Ming dynasty garden court at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Sotheby's sale includes a Qianlong-period gilt bronze lion clock stand, estimated at $180,000 to $220,000 and a pair of 18th-century famille-rose porcelain vases, valued at $80,000 to $120,000.

Diamond Necklace

A fixture in New York society, Astor was known for her jewels. A Bulgari diamond necklace featuring 13 emerald drops is estimated between $250,000 and $350,000; the auction catalog has a photograph of Astor wearing the necklace while standing next to President Lyndon B. Johnson at a Plaza Hotel dinner dance.

A pair of 18-karat gold, platinum and diamond double-heart ear clips by Van Cleef & Arpels is valued at $4,000 to $6,000. Her French gold and ruby bracelet is $5,000 to $7,000.

All those things were "part of her lifestyle," Marshall said. "They bring back so many memories."

Muse highlights include Martin Gayford on art, James S. Russell on architecture.

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