A Hamptons mansion-full of upscale, eclectic treasures — from mink coats to a Mercedes — is being sold off this weekend as ordered by judge in the bitter high-society divorce of Whitney St. John and James B. Fairchild.
The tag sale is touted by Estates NY as an “extraordinary estate of a fine family” in a “gorgeous Hamptons mansion,” but doesn’t name the sellers who have been battling over the contents of their former Bridgehampton marital home.
The site says highlights will include “over 200 antique fine oil paintings,” “100 or more examples of Chinese antique porcelain,” a 5.5-carat diamond, a Mercedes 560 SL, taxidermy, vintage Royal Copenhagen service and “accessories including Ralph Lauren, Hermes, Vuitton.” We hear prices will range from $100 to $35,000.
A Suffolk County judge ordered the sale after Fairchild and St. John, who wed in 1994, couldn’t come to terms on how to split the classy trinkets.
“I’m really happy about this,” Fairchild, son of former WWD and W publisher John Fairchild, told us of the sale, adding he kept some family heirlooms as well as his cat, Charlie. “I want everybody’s lives to get sorted out, especially my children.” Fairchild — who’s moved on with girlfriend Dr. Christine Borelli — also told us he’ll next open a new store in Sag Harbor.
St. John’s lawyer, Donald Shlimbaum, told us, “This was not what Whitney wanted because she is concerned of the potentially devastating effect that selling the family property may have on her children. Mr. Fairchild apparently does not care about that.” He added of a later sale of the home: “What happens to the marital residence is still very much unresolved . . . It would probably be best for you not to get your information from Mr. Fairchild, since it is usually wrong.” Fairchild’s lawyer, Michael Stutman, said: “This auction is a product of a stipulation both parties signed. Ms. St. John has tried to wiggle out of it. But there’s no question it will happen no matter what.”
Also for sale are “four-poster mahogany canopy antique beds.” But, considering St. John and Fairchild’s relationship, they might be cursed.