Collecting a Piece of Harald Juhnke's Legacy: The Auction Ahead
Seeking Home Entertainment Option: Harald Juhnke's Performances - Preferably bring home some Harald Juhnke recordings?
Hey there! Ready for a splash of style and a dash of history? If you're a fan of the legendary German entertainer, Harald Juhnke, you might be in luck. Some of his treasured antique furniture is hitting the auction block soon, and it's a chance for you to own a piece of the star's distinctive charm.
Drinks clinking
Back in his 1980s Grunewald abode, Juhnke surrounded himself with elegant pieces, such as French Louis XVI-style chairs, dressers, and tables. These well-worn items, yet to be sold by his heirs, have now found their way to Stuttgart's Eppli auction house.
Want to know what's up for grabs? The auction house has a grand rosewood, palisander, and tinted precious woods dresser, a mahogany and rosewood parlor table, three gilded armchairs, and an office table and library cabinet on the block. Interested bidders should note starting prices between 250 and 2500 euros, but these could be lower, depending on the bidding war!
Fan Frenzy
The actor picked up these antique dressers, parlor tables, and armchairs in the 1980s, tells us René Waldrab, head of the auction house. Eppli is hoping many Juhnke fans will chase after a memento of the star for their living rooms. "Antique furniture can be tough to sell," concedes Waldrab, "But if it's got Juhnke provenance, it becomes much more appealing." As Eppli's antique expert Jose Juan Martinez-Garcia puts it, the emotional value for fans of the entertainer can be "off the charts."
Got ambition? Get your wallet ready! The furniture pieces, hailing from the late 19th century, will be on display at the packed Eppli auction halls in Leinfelden-Echterdingen. Inside, you'll find an array of rarities, antiques, jewelry, and more - tiny, delicate, and large, imposing, ornate, and simple.
Berlin's Own
For those who aren't as familiar with the name, Juhnke has been hailed by many as one of Germany's greatest entertainers. Active for about five decades, he was a mainstay in theater and German television.
Born in Berlin in 1929, Juhnke first gained recognition through theater and film roles before gracing screens in shows like "Musik ist Trumpf" and "Ein verrücktes Paar," alongside Grit Boettcher in the '70s and '80s.
Remembered for his charm, wit, and fondness for the bottle, Juhnke earned the title of the "German Frank Sinatra" with a melancholic twist. "A beggar, a playboy, a soldier, a gambler, a clown, and a poet," Juhnke described himself in his version of Sinatra's "That's Life." His definition of happiness? "No appointments and a little drunk," he said. Juhnke passed away in 2005 at the age of 75 in a nursing home, battling dementia.
Mark Your Calendars
The auction takes place in-person and online, with bidding online gaining traction since the pandemic. On a good day, up to 2,000 bidders participate via all channels.
Ready to own a piece of showbiz history? Don't mind if I do! So, what are you waiting for? Get bidding!
- The Commission's proposed directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation might take a backseat as antique furniture collected by the late Harald Juhnke gains attention, with some pieces headed to the Eppli auction house.
- Despite not being a direct item from Juhnke's estate, the choice of gilded armchairs at the auction could still spark a bidding war among his ardent fans, reflecting the emotional value that these pieces might hold for them.
- Juhnke's lifestyle, centered around his antique-laden home, could potentially inspire a new generation of home-and-garden enthusiasts, especially those who appreciate the gilded epitome of neoclassical furniture from the late 19th century.
- The auction might be a rare opportunity for those who want to recreate a piece of Harald Juhnke's special charm and classic 1980s ambiance within their own homes, as they bid on the furniture that mirrored the eclectic lifestyle and unique character of the renowned entertainer.
