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Christie’s Interiors is pleased to offer property from the Estate of William F. Buckley, Jr. and Patricia Taylor Buckley. William F. Buckley, Jr. had an extensive range of accomplishments as an author, syndicated columnist, and television personality. Buckley was well known for laying the foundation for a new age of American conservatism and libertarian emphasis through his wide ranging efforts. He founded the National Review in 1955 and hosted 1,429 episodes of the Firing Line, the longest running public affairs show with one host, over the course of 33 years from 1966 to 1999. Through Buckley’s achievements in media and publishing, his brilliant mind, and the sheer force of his personality, he has been labeled one of the most influential and important political figures and intellectuals of his generation.

In 1950, Buckley married Patricia Taylor, who became well known as a prominent philanthropist and charity fundraiser for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. In conjunction with her key development roles, Patricia Buckley was a legendary hostess with tremendous wit and a conversationalist spark.

The Buckley’s two-story, 5,000 square foot maisonette at 73rd and Park Avenue and their country house in Stamford, Connecticut served as unique and stylish settings for their remarkable lives. Pat Buckley had a very clear sense of her own decorating style and never feared taking an unorthodox approach to interior design. The interiors of the Park Avenue apartment were both exotic and comfortable. Both houses offered spaces for a range of types of entertaining, from the twice-monthly dinners for the staff of the National Review, to election parties with important politicians, journalists, and pundits, Pat’s legendary card group, and a revolving group of elite New Yorkers and international figures.

For two months out of every year, the Buckley’s would move to a Medieval chateau in Rougemont, Switzerland, just outside of Gstaad. This was the epicenter of their lives from February to March where they mixed with key figures of international society. This collection offers a wonderful opportunity to see the personal effects of this remarkable couple of the 20th-century and celebrate their tremendous accomplishments and joie de vivre. They were truly larger than life and will always be missed.