Soaring at nearly 565,000 euros, twice the estimates, the auction sale of the blue collection of Michou, the famous creator of the Parisian transforming cabaret that bears his name, was a great success, announced Friday Artcurial.
Read also: Michou, prince of Montmartre
Trinkets, furniture, sculptures, paintings, dishes, ties and hats, in all shades of blue, the favorite color of Michou who died in January: the 300 motley lots in the catalog, which had attracted hundreds of curious people during the five days of public exhibitions before the sale, were all sold. The main rooms of his Montmartrois apartment had been reconstructed in the salons of the auction house.
Porcelain and panama plates
According to Catherine Catty-Jacquart, Michou's niece, this dispersal was organized "to face the inheritance tax and save the cabaret" .
Modern paintings by Montmartre painters Gen Paul and Bernard Lorjou have reached up to 23,000 euros each. Bidders also competed for furniture and works of art, up to four times the estimate for Michou's Rococo dining room, which has seen many celebrities parade.
A series of eight porcelain plates decorated with "Michettes", the transformers of the cabaret, reached 4,300 euros, twenty times the estimate. A moving drawing by Jean Marais dedicated "For nice Michou to whom I wish happiness" went to 10,400 euros. Part of the legendary cloakroom of Michou whose improbable costumes and blue panamas raised 17,000 euros.
In a second step, his Montmartre apartment with a terrace on the Sacré-Coeur will also be sold. As for the cabaret, Michou's niece intends to continue the adventure.
