*Mrs. Astor at Cove End in* Northeast Harbor Maine *(Photo Vanity Fair)*

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is pleased to unveil for the first time at auction a rare and privileged opportunity to discover Cove End and the Maine summer cottage collection of the Brook Astor Estate. Renowned for her charity work and a lifelong dedication to philanthropy and admired for her classic elegance in high society, Mrs. Astor rose to prominence as the matriarch of the American Astor family.

The family’s personal collection in Northeast Harbor embodies the quintessential aesthetic of high society New England, and displays unmistakable ties to Old England. With interiors that blend the charm of a Maine country cottage with distinctive design elements and a world steeped in heritage, grace, and enduring craftsmanship, these New England homes evoke the grandeur of an English country estate, the refined elegance of a French farmhouse, and the timeless summer home traditions tracing back to ancient Greece. These were not simply decorated country homes for the elite, they were highly curated experiences of elegance, intellect, and sophisticated class.

**Photo from The Cutting Garden (Vogue)**

*The Astor Summer Cottage Cove End is a classic Maine farmhouse, located in Northeast Harbor.*

As the cultural emergence of Cottagecore and antique and vintage inspired interior design continues to gain momentum, this collection will speak directly to those who appreciate timeless designs, exquisite furnishings, and the old-world charms of a life surrounded by objects of beauty that are built to last. Cottagecore is a beloved and long-standing tradition centered around the aesthetics of country life and pays tribute to the English countryside.

For admirers of Old England and New England's historic countryside designs—and those who find comfort in heirloom craftsmanship and the echoes of a refined past—this is the opportunity to discover rare decorations and unique, one-of-a-kind furnishings. The upcoming Summer Grandeur is an event for lovers of art, antiques, vintage designs, and provides rare access to a bygone era marked by the great wealth and high society of New York City’s elite.

New York City has long been the American stronghold of “old money.” Yet, for generations, its most powerful families—Astors, Vanderbilts, Roosevelts, Morgans, Rockefellers—escaped to the tranquility of New England. While their fortunes were built in the city’s skyscrapers and boardrooms, their true legacies lived in the countryside—in the grand summer cottages, secluded gardens, and their philanthropic foundations provided the cultural influences that shaped the very fabric of American society.

Brooke Astor was New York City’s star philanthropist and one of the city’s most important benefactors. As president of the Vincent Astor Foundation from 1959 to 1997, Mrs. Astor gifted over $195 million to institutions and causes across New York City. Her generosity enriched landmarks such as the New York Public Library, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Bronx Zoo, Morgan Library, Central Park, and South Street Seaport, among others.

Yet behind the scenes, Mrs. Astor found personal retreat in her Downeast Maine summer cottage in Northeast Harbor—a haven adorned in country charm and the refined rustic aesthetic of Europe and the Old Countries. It is this intimate setting and its distinguished furnishings that form the collection of this exceptional auction.

**The cutting garden (Vogue)**

*Brooke Astor Cottage Collection will offer an unprecedented window into the private daily world of a legendary personality.*

From the opulent mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, to the serene Berkshires, to the rugged coastlines of Northeast Harbor and Downeast Maine, these summer retreats became the sanctuaries of power and treasures of tradition. Revealing for the first time, the summer cottages were where the private collections were quietly assembled, adored, and appreciated, and passed down through the generations.

Today the Brooke Astor legacy lives on, funding programs to provide educational and related services to at risk youth under the auspices of the New York Community Trust. This enduring commitment to public good reflects a broader tradition—one deeply rooted in the cultural and geographic ties between New York City and New England. To understand the cultural significance of this collection is to understand that New York City's countryside is New England, where for generations part-time residents—from business entrepreneurs to the benefactors of the arts—shaped American society and called New England home.

The Maine summer cottage collection of the Brook Astor Estate will be occurring on August 28th, and the Summer Grandeur event continues from the 29th, 30th, 31st with more from private estates and important collections across New England—the entire occasion is more than an auction—it's a window into the grandeur of a bygone era. Whether you are a collector, designer, historian, or admirer of classic American and New England elegance, the Brooke Astor Cottage Collection offers a chance to own a piece of a legacy steeped in history, beauty, and unmatched refinement and tradition.

For private viewings or registration support, please call us at +1 (207) 354-8141.

For all other enquiries please contact us.