David Rockefeller and The Beetle Room

When David Rockefeller was in the fifth grade he discovered the world of insects, specifically he found himself fascinated with the beetle. Other bugs were interesting, but the beetles were so large and colorful, he couldn't resist. He learned how to collect them, kill them gently, and preserve them as specimens. For a long period of his life he never travelled without a bottle of alcohol (a swab of cotton, soaked in alcohol and placed in a closed jar of beetles, would do the trick). Pun intended, this seems to be the genesis of how David caught the collecting bug. He would go on to amass one of the worlds great modern art collections. (He also ended up with an estimated 157,000 beetle specimens.)
David died last year at the age 101 (his wife Peggy died in 1996). The children have sold off three of his homes (we'll take a look at two), and this May, Christies will sell an astonishing 1,600 lots of the items he collected, including much of his art collection. The sale is expected to be the largest ever, with estimates running from $500,000,00 to $650,000,000.

David and siblings with his parents and his grandfather, John D. Rockefeller, Sr. David, the youngest, is in his mother's arms.

David lived in the townhouse at 146 East 65th Street for 69 years. The home is four stories and an unusual 40 feet wide. President Nixon bought the townhouse next-door. Peggy Rockefeller decorated all of their homes. In his memoir, David says that at some point Peggy acquired a "decorator" card which allowed her to purchase from showrooms, she was thrilled!

Cézanne's "Still Life with Fruit Dish"

David had an unparalleled porcelain collection, much of it will be included in the Christie's sale.

The 'Marly Rouge' Service. A Sevres Porcelain Dessert Service Made For Napoleon I, Circa 1807-09. Estimate: $150,000-250,000

David with Lord Jacob Rothschild in his townhouse study.

Pablo Picasso's Fillette a la Corbeille Fleurie (Young Girl with a Flower Basket), 1905, which hung in the study, is expected to sell between $90,000,000 and $120,000,000. The painting was originally owned by Gertrude Stein and was purchased by David from the estate of Alice B. Toklas:

The study.

Then there is Hudson Pines, the 75 acre estate about a mile from the famous Rockefeller Kykuit mansion. The 11 bedroom home was designed by Mott Schmidt in 1938 for David's sister, and he purchased it from her. It was recently sold for $33,000,000.