New World Record Auction Price Set for A Jaguar Motor Car

On 11 July 2008 at The Goodwood Festival of Speed in Chichester, international fine art auctioneers Bonhams set a new world record auction price for any Jaguar motor car.

The 1955 Jaguar D-type Sports Racing Car ‘XKD509’ was sold to a British buyer for a whopping £2,201,500 ($4,4 million). This figure betters the previous world record of $3,396,475, set in 1999.

The 3.4-litre car was the first Jaguar D-Type to go into and its price, when sold new in 1955, was a princely £2,500 ($5,000).

Sgt Pepper Drum Skin Sells At Auction

The drum skin used on the cover of The Beatles' Sgt Pepper album has sold for £541,250 ($1.07m) at auction in London, almost four times the estimate.

The skin was a hand-painted item that was only ever used for the cover of the classic 1967 album.
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was not only one of The Beatles biggest albums, it was also one of the most important albums ever from the rock era. The Beatles began recording the album on December 6, 1966 and spent the next 129 days in recording. That was an amazing time for a recording in the 60s.

The Sgt Pepper skin was just one of many Beatles items that sold at the auction : a pair of tinted prescription sunglasses belonging to Lennon, which the singer wore for the cover of the single Mind Games, raised £39,650 ($78,400) and the hand-written lyrics to "Give Peace A Chance" sold for £421,250 ($833,000). (source)

World record price for Jeff Koon

Christie's sold last week Jeff Koon's Ballon Flower (Magenta) for $25,752,051, a world record price for the artist at auction. at its Post War and Contemporary Art auction. This work is one of five unique versions: Magenta, Blue, Orange, Yellow, Red and was executed between 1995 and 1999.

Balloon Flower (Magenta) 1995-2000 is from a top Dallas art collector who paid less than £600,000 for it seven years ago. It was the first time a work of this scale and quality by Koons were publicly offered in London.

It's the most difficult decision I've ever made about a work of art," says Mr. Rachofsky to the Dallas Morning News, who purchased it in 1998 and installed it in the center of the pond on the north end of his Preston Hollow estate.

"We came to terms with the idea that to be able to effectively develop the collection in our areas of primary interest – American minimalism, Italian postwar art and German painting – we would let this piece go. It presents opportunities to advance the collection in ways we would not otherwise have been able to achieve."

The work, with its mirrored surface and monumental scale, is a celebrated icon within Koons' oeuvre and took him nearly ten years to complete. The motifs for the series of large-format sculptures and paintings called "Celebration" seem, like "Balloon Flowers", to have been taken from children's books or fairy-tales, or even from a gift catalogue.

It is said to pay homage to life's celebratory and cyclical events, like birthdays, nature - through the flower-like form - and holidays.

Via artknowledgenews

world’s most expensive newspaper copy

The Worlds Record Academy included among its recorda the newspaper copy “Zimbrulu and Vulturulu” (which means “the Aurochs and the Eagle”) as the most expensive newspaper in the world.
The daily is currently showcased at the EFIRO 2008 World Philatelic Exhibition in Bucharest (the first edition happened in 1932).

The 1858 copy of the Zimbrulu si Vulturulu newspaper copy was printed in Iasi, eastern Romania, was accidentally stamped with eight Auroch heads.
The newspaper’s destination was Galati (south eastern Romania) where it was bought by a stamp collecting bookshop owner. Afterwards, the owners’ traces vanished until 1969. The priceless paper found its way into the hands of the David Feldman auction house. From there it was auctioned in 2006 to art collector Joseph Hackmey for €829,500 ($1.3 million).

Today, the Romanian stamps are among the highest acclaimed in the world, with Romania ranking seventh in the classification of the most beautiful stamps in the world.

Titanic life jacket sells for $70k

An unused life jacket from the doomed transatlantic cruise ship "Titanic," which struck an iceberg in 1912 and sank, fetched 68,500 dollars at auction at Christie's in New York late Wednesday.

The cork-filled life preserver - still largely intact, but stained and torn in parts - was thought to have been found by farmer John James Dunbar on the Halifax shoreline after the passenger ship sank off Newfoundland in April, 1912.

The liner sank during its maiden voyage from the British port of Southampton to New York when it hit an iceberg, causing some 1,500 people to die. About 700 people are believed to have survived the sinking, one of the worst maritime disasters ever.

There is still huge public interest in Titanic memorabilia as the sinking of the ship, which had been billed as unsinkable, caused such a loss of life and was one of the first world-wide news events

Maritime specialist Gregg Dietrich said the jacket - believed to be one of six remaining - appeared to have been unused because the shoulder straps were still intact. Titanic passengers tended to have had their life preservers cut off to ease removal from their damaged skin.

Mr Dietrich said that the cork filling the jackets was so heavy that many of the survivors and victims of Titanic were found to have broken their jaws on them when they hit the water after jumping from the ship.

Source : reuters

Record sale for Monet masterpiece

A Claude Monet painting has fetched a record £40.9m ($80.5 million) for the artist's work at an auction in London.

"Le Bassin aux Nympheas" had been expected to fetch 18-24 million pounds, but after an intense bidding battle it smashed the previous Monet auction record (Le Pont du chemin de fer a Argenteuil ) of $41.5 million set in May.
Painted in 1919 in Giverny in France it has been seen in public just once in the past 80 years. The identity of the bidder has not been made public.

It was part of the evening sale of impressionist and modern art at Christie's which raised 144 million pounds ($283 million), the highest total for an auction in Europe. All figures include buyers' premiums.

Art expert Charles Dupplin said despite "current financial jitters around the world" art lovers are still willing to pay money for "exquisite, unique items". He added: "Art lovers everywhere should be cheered to see that, despite gloomy predictions, the art market looks to have a healthy future."

Watch the video on BBC news

Sotheby's Sale of Impressionist and Modern Art

Both Sotheby's and Christie's are holding significant Impressionist and Modern evening sales in London this week. "We're seeing a very strong market for top quality Impressionist paintings this summer," the vice chairman of Impressionist & Modern Art Worldwide at Sotheby's, Helena Newman, said.

On Wednesday, Sotheby's will put up Monet's "La Plage à Trouville" expected to fetch between $14 million and $20 million. "It's an iconic work," Ms. Newman said. "Monet was exploring the effects of the wind and the light on the water, all quintessentially Impressionist effects."

Monet completed his painting in 1870 while vacationing with his wife and son at the tony French resort town of Trouville.

The world's most expensive die

An incredibly valuable Roman glass gaming die was sold in 2003 at auction by the famous Christie's auction house for $17,925. Deep blue-green in color, the large twenty-sided die is incised with a distinct symbol on each of its faces.

It was the property of a Maryland fine arts professor and were acquired by his father in Egypt in the 1920s.

Several polyhedra in various materials with similar symbols are known from the Roman period but the funny thing is that historians have not yet established the game for which these dice were used !

Chinese seal sells for record price

A seal of the Chinese emperor Kangxi sold at auction in the southern French city Toulouse for 4.7 million Euros (USD 7.2 million), a world record price for such an object, the sale`s organisers said on Saturday.
It is a world record for a seal and a European record for a Chinese object. It was bought by an unnamed buyer or buyers from China bidding by telephone.

The three kilogram (six-and-a-half pound) beige soapstone seal was one of 130 personal seals used by the emperor Kangxi, who ruled between 1662 and 1722. Bearing six red calligraphic figures along with two dragons frolicking in the clouds, the seal is 14 centimetres long and 10 centimetres wide.

Kangxi's 61-year-rule makes him the longest-reigning Chinese emperor in history and one of the longest in the world. Emperors of China, their families and officials used large seals usually made of jade, although hard woods and precious metals could sometimes be used.
What made the seal especially rare was that it was found in its original ivory-and-lacquer box and the fact that it was unusually large.

This seal were found in the closet of a wealthy Toulouse family who were not aware of either its use or value. It had long disappeared from China but is now finally destined to return to its homeland !

Pictures :AFP

Onassis Jewelry Sale

A diamond necklace that used to belong to Christina Onassis, daughter of Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis, sold at auction on Wednesday for $7.1 million.

The necklace, with a 38-carat pear-shaped diamond, was the highlight of the Onassis jewelery auction at Christie's in London. It is a reminder of the glamour associated with the Onassis family and a fitting example of the great jewelry and art the Onassis family was known for collecting

Christina Onassis was the only daughter of Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, who went on to marry JF Kennedy's widow Jacqueline.
She lived a life of luxury, but there was tragedy too, as she lost both her parents and a brother within the space of two years. Christina died in 1987 of a heart attack. She was just 37 years old.
Her jewelery collection was put on sale by her daughter Athina.

The auction also included the so-called Faberge Buddha which sold for $2.5 million : This was a jade-colored Buddha by Peter Carl Faberge, renowned for creating ornamental eggs for Russia's imperial family.

Watermelon auctioned for $6,100 in Japan

A black jumbo watermelon auctioned in northern Japan fetched a record $6,100 Friday, making it the most expensive watermelon ever sold in the country — and possibly the world.

The 17-pound premium "Densuke" watermelon, grown only on the northern island of Hokkaido, was purchased by a marine products dealer who said he wanted to support local agriculture.

In a country where melons are a luxury item commonly given as gifts, the watermelon's hefty price tag follows another jaw-dropping auction last month, where a pair of "Yubari" cantaloupe melons sold for a record $23,500.

And what makes a watermelon worth $200, much less $6,000?
Its unusual black skin, said Kazuyoshi Ohira, a spokesman for the Tohma Agricultural Cooperative in Hokkaido. Inside, the watermelon is crisp and hard. And, he says, it has unparalleled taste.
"It's a watermelon, but it's not the same," he said. "It has a different level of sweetness."

Other Densuke watermelons won't cost quite as much. Most will retail at department stores and supermarkets for a more modest 20,000 yen to 30,000 yen (U.S. $188 to U.S. $283), Ohira said.

Source : msnbc

Most Expensive Persian Rug

This photo provided by Christie's in New York shows a silk Persian rug, dating from the 16th or 17th century.It has sold for a record $4.45 million at auction, (about $729.87 per square inch!)

The rug was sold by Christie's auction house Tuesday on behalf of the Newport Restoration Foundation. It had been expected to fetch up to $1.5 million.

The rug, which measures 7 feet, 7 inches by 5 feet, 7 inches, had been purchased by the late tobacco heiress Doris Duke in 1990. She left it to the foundation when she died.

Elisabeth Parker, head of Christie's rugs and carpets department, says there are only two other known rugs like it. She calls it an "amazing work of art" and says it has an intricate floral design and an unusually large number of colors, at 17.

Source : yahoo

Charles Dickens desk auctioned for $850,000

The desk where Charles Dickens wrote Great Expectations and his final correspondence hours before his death fetched £433,250 ($850,000) at auction on Wednesday, around seven times its pre-sale estimate.

"It's a part of Charles Dickens, so I'm delighted to be its owner," Tom Higgins told Reuters by telephone after the sale. "I've been a huge Dickens fan for a long time. I actually think it's worth a lot more than what I paid for it and expected it could have gone for as much as five million (pounds).
"I think it's a bargain, really," added Higgins, 49, who plans to be Ireland's first space tourist.

He added that the fact that proceeds from the sale were going to Great Ormond Street children's hospital in London made it easier to part with the cash.

Christie's sold the furniture as part of its valuable books and manuscripts sale in London, and the price includes the buyer's premium.
The writing desk and chair from the study of Dickens' Gad's Hill residence near Rochester, Kent, was passed on by descent to Christopher Charles Dickens and his wife Jeanne-Marie Dickens. She then donated them to Great Ormond Street, with which Dickens had a close association.

Source ibnlive

World Auction Record for a Dom Pérignon Rosé in Hong Kong

Acker Merrall & Condit conducted its first wine auction in Hong Kong on May 31, which realized $8.2 million and established new record. The total was the highest for any wine auction held in Hong Kong to date (the sales was held in the wake of new Hong Kong legislation that abolished all taxes and duties on wine).

Bidding was fiercely competitive for a case of 6 magnums of Château Mouton Rothschild 1945 which fetched HK$1,306,000 (US$167,436) and a case of 12 bottles of Château Mouton Rothschild 1945 sold for HK$1,210,000 (US$155,128).

An exceedingly rare Imperial of Château Lafite Rothschild 1982 realized an astonishing HK$387,200 (US$49,641), well above the pre-sale high estimate. Another World Auction Record was realized with the sale of a case of 1982 Château Le Pin, which fetched HK$822,800 (US$105,487).

The two large format Champagne lots direct from the cellars of Dom Pérignon also realized World Auction Records. A Jeroboam of Dom Pérignon Rosé 1996 fetched HK$266,200 (US$34,128) and magnums of Dom Pérignon Oenothèque (vintages 1966, 1973 and 1976) realized HK$726,000 (US$ 93,077), thereby shattering the World Auction Record for any Champagne lot sold at auction.

Source : winespectator / finewine

Gundam Painting Fetches $600,000

A Gundam painting by Japanese artist Tenmyouya Hisashi lately fetched HK$4.8 million (approx. US$600,000) at Hong Kong based Christie’s auction house. The painting “RX-78-2 Kabuki-mono 2005 Version” reflects a perfect blend of traditionalism with modernism. Tenmyouya Hisashi has this to say about his artwork :

"In Japan there are many "Gundam-Otaku's," and their adoration of Gundam is intense. Therefore, I did not want to change their image of Gundam. By changing Gundam's "mobile suit" to tattoos, I altered his body, and made him even more customized. I emphasized the very concept of the "mobile suit," and by setting Gundam against a background of gold leaf from traditional Japanese painting, I emphasized Gundam's samurai origins. In my mind, the distinctions between combat video games, manga, and ukiyo-e have become blurred. This is a painting that combines on a single screen the features of moving images, manga frames, and single prints."

Source : likecool / Elitechoice

Steve McQueen's Le Mans Porsche may fetch $2 million !

If you're looking for something sporty , the Porsche driven by Steve McQueen in the movie Le Mans could be for you. It is going up for auction via Bonhams & Butterfield in the US as part of its Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia.

The anticipated price that this coupe may fetch, is $2 million. For this price, you can get the 1969-70 Porsche 908/2 Spyder, which is a 350bhp, 3.0-litre flat-eight air-cooled speedster with a fibreglass body, tubular aluminium spaceframe and a car capable of hitting 200mph+.

The auction is on 15th August 2008.

Via retrotogo / elitechoice

Rare South American Stamps

Luxist inform us that rare South American stamps, in fact the world's most valuable private collection of South American postage stamps, will be offered in a public auction in New York City on June 5 and 6, 2008.

The auction includes for instance the only surviving example of the 1859 one-peso "tête-bêche," which has a pre-sale estimate of $400,000 to $500,000.
There is also an envelope from Chile with a unique block of 14 lithographed 5-centavo stamps of 1854 which is $400,000 to $500,000.
From Colombia there is a letter with a 5-centavo and a10-centavo stamp dated September 1, 1859, the first day these very first stamps of Colombia were issued The pre-sale estimate is $200,000 to $300,000.
You'll find out more information on luxist and on siegelauctions

Massive diamond under the hammer

A 101.27 carat diamond (the size of a ping pong ball), has been sold at auction in Hong Kong for more than $6 millions usd.

The stone was cut from a 460 carat rough diamond, and has 92 facets. It was discovered in South Africa's biggest diamond mine, Premier Mine, which is where the world's largest rough diamond, the Cullinan Diamond, was also found.

The stone is the largest colourless diamond to appear at auction in 18 years, says auction house Christie's, and it was also the largest ever sold in Asia.

Christie's said the diamond's appearance on the market had "created a sensation" : "the crowd at the event was "flabbergasted" by the high prices on display".
"The world record price for the colourless diamond sale was broken...the atmosphere in the room was very excited". "People were looking right, looking left, we were breaking world records all the time. They couldn't believe their eyes." It was put up for sale by an anonymous private individual and bought by a first-time auction buyer from Hong Kong who bid over the telephone.

The new owner will have the right to name the diamond !

Source : BBC

Most expensive table

In late 18th century Philadelphia, Tufft was one of the city’s most prosperous cabinetmakers. While his shop was not as large or prolific as that of his contemporaries Benjamin Randolph and Thomas Affleck, his rank was likely that of their equal. Elegance, grace, and delicate carving characterize Thomas Tufft’s furniture. He typically chose a restrained opposing "C" scroll on the knees and a variation of this design can be seen on most of the objects attributed to his shop.

Tufft holds the record for Philadelphia furniture, the Edwards-Harrison Family pier table, when it sold at Christie’s for $4,620,000 (January 1990), becoming the most expensive table in the world. The price was well above the presale estimate of at most $1.5 million.

The rococo rarity, carved by Thomas Tufft in 1775-76, is a pier table with a Chinese-style apron of pierced fretwork, tall legs, narrow ankles and finely detailed ball-and-claw feet.

Get your dog a £50,000 clone

BioArts International will next month hold an online auction to give five wealthy pet owners the opportunity to have their dogs cloned.

The successful bidders will be able to make a genetically-identical copy of an existing pet - or create a new puppy from the frozen tissue of a long-dead pet. Bidding is expected to begin at more than $100,000 - about £50,000.

While pet cloning may appear little more than a bizarre and morbid extravagance for the super-rich, it comes at a high price.
Cloning is still a hit-and-miss procedure and for almost every success comes a stream of miscarriages, stillbirths and premature deaths.

Animal welfare campaigners and ethical experts have condemned the move, accusing BioArts - the company offering the service - of exploiting owners' fears over losing a pet.

But Lou Hawthorne, head of BioArts, believes there will be no shortage of those willing to pay for the chance to copy a beloved dog.
"It could easily end up being price comparable to a luxury car, or a vacation house,' he said. 'It's not going to be cheap. But then the process isn't cheap."

Via dailymail / AP