Luxist http://www.luxist.com Luxist http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Luxist http://www.luxist.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rare $1 Million Aston Martin in Arizona Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/18/rare-1-million-aston-martin-in-arizona-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/18/rare-1-million-aston-martin-in-arizona-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/18/rare-1-million-aston-martin-in-arizona-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,


An extremely rare alloy-bodied 1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT (above), one of only 75 built, is expected to fetch up to $1 million at RM Auctions' Automobiles of Arizona event at the Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix on January 21. The exclusive competition variant of Aston's famed DB4, the model was formally introduced in September 1959 at the London Motor Show and was based on the race winning prototype driven to victory at Silverstone in May 1959 by the great Stirling Moss. The example on offer is the last DB4 GT built and underwent a complete restoration during 1994-95. The car has a luxurious Connolly leather interior with Wilton wool carpets, handles like a race car and does 150 mph.

LuxistRare $1 Million Aston Martin in Arizona Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArizonaAston MartinAstonMartinBiltmore ResortBiltmoreResortclassic carsClassicCarsPhoenixRM AuctionsRmAuctionsStirling MossStirlingMossFri, 18 Dec 2009 05:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Artfact's Auction Widget Keeps Your Digital Flag in Every Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/14/artfacts-auction-widget-keeps-your-digital-flag-in-every-auctio/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/14/artfacts-auction-widget-keeps-your-digital-flag-in-every-auctio/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/14/artfacts-auction-widget-keeps-your-digital-flag-in-every-auctio/#commentsFiled under: , ,



So much art at auction, so few digital doppelgangers to bid on it for you. Artfact Live -- the live auction bidding site for works from houses like Christie's, Bonham's, and so many others -- may have a solution that doesn't involve cloning. Instead, it has created an app that keeps you in real-time auction action for more than 100,000 items of fine and decorative arts, collectibles, estates, and more.

If you're unsure of what to bid on or how much to bid, there's the Artfact database. Have your eye on that LeComte coming up for auction in Paris but need to know a bit more, the database will reveal its provenance, history, what it's worth and why. On the other hand, if you know the LeComte you're after but it hasn't come up for sale yet, you can enter it in the Auction Advisor and Artfact will alert you when that stingy collector decides to relinquish it.

Additionally, the widget lets you place anonymous absentee bids before the auction if you cannot participate, and if you'll be notified if you're outbid before the auction begins. You can also search auctions to see what a particular work or complementary works have gone for. It's not as cool as cloning, sure, but you can spare yourself the ethical considerations and you won't ever have to worry about your clone bidding on that purple glass rooster behind your back...

LuxistArtfact's Auction Widget Keeps Your Digital Flag in Every Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeAppStoreartartfactartfact liveArtfactLiveauctionMon, 14 Dec 2009 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Record Amount For Patek Philippe Ref. 3974 At Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/11/record-amount-for-patek-philippe-ref-3974-at-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/11/record-amount-for-patek-philippe-ref-3974-at-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/11/record-amount-for-patek-philippe-ref-3974-at-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,


Another Antiquorum auction and another world record amount for the sale of a specific Patek Philippe watch. Just recently a Black on black Patek Philippe Ref. 3974 perpetual calendar watch in white gold sold for a whopping $1.2 million dollars. The watch is just 10 years old, and others like it have been auctioned off more than once in the last few years. Meaning that while this is not so rare a Patek Philippe watch that it does not come up for auction often. In recent times the depressed economy has somehow been a boom time for Patek Philippe collectors watches at auction. It seems that in almost every new Antiquorum action where a special Patek Philippe watch available, a new record is met. Pretty much any Patek Philippe watch they offer goes for an amount above $100,000.

In this instance, the Ref. 3974 watch is of the most desirable modern Patek Philippe watches and was last made in 1999. The watch features an automatic Patek Philippe movement with the time, perpetual calendar, moon phase indicator, and a minute repeater complication. All that and the watch is small at just 36mm wide. The over one millions dollar amount is truly stunning and reflect the tenacity of the market as well as the collectible nature of the Patek Philippe brand.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

LuxistRecord Amount For Patek Philippe Ref. 3974 At Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antiquorumauctionpatek philippePatekPhilipperecordref. 3974Ref.3974watchFri, 11 Dec 2009 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Rare Stamp Locket Up For Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/10/rare-stamp-locket-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/10/rare-stamp-locket-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/10/rare-stamp-locket-up-for-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,

Most rare stamps are sold on their own but a version one of the world's most recognizable misprinted postage stamp, the "Inverted Jenny" was once put in a locket. The glass locket with a gold rim was created as a gift for the President of the Texas Midland Railroad, Col. Ned Green to give to his wife. It contains the Inverted Jenny back to back with an example of a correctly printed 1918 24-cent airmail stamp. Mabel Green kept it until she died in 1950. The locket will be part of a public auction of rare stamps at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City on December 12 being held by Heritage Auctions. It has a pre-auction estimate of $200,000 or more.

The only known examples of the Inverted Jenny error came from an original sheet of 100 stamps purchased at a Washington, DC post office in 1918. According to Harvey Bennett, Director of Philately at Heritage Auctions, Col. Green bought the entire sheet from a dealer for $20,000, and began selling off individual stamps and small blocks. He had one of the stamps made into the locket for his wife.

LuxistRare Stamp Locket Up For Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>heritage auctionsHeritageAuctionsinverted jennyInvertedJennyphilatelistphilatelystamp auctionStampAuctionThu, 10 Dec 2009 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Lenny Dykstra's Patek Philippe and More at Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/10/lenny-dykstras-patek-philippe-and-more-at-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/10/lenny-dykstras-patek-philippe-and-more-at-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/10/lenny-dykstras-patek-philippe-and-more-at-auction/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


My colleague Deirdre Woollard has been entertainingly chronicling former baseball star Lenny Dykstra's travails in bankruptcy court. Now it seems the hard-charging athlete-turned-entrepreneur is trying to raise a little ready money by selling off some of his prized possessions. Among the lots at Patrizzi & Co.'s Dec. 14th Exceptional Watchmaking Masterpieces auction in NYC is Dykstra's 18K white gold Patek Philippe (above) made in 2004. The fine and rare annual calendar timepiece shows the phases of the moon and has a power reserve indication. Estimated at $28,000 - $ 35,000, it comes accompanied by a photograph of Dykstra playing with the New York Mets. Also included in the sale are two major pieces of Dykstra sporting memorabilia: a 1986 New York Mets World Series trophy and plaque, estimated at $18,000 - $25,000; and a Silver Slugger Award from 1993 with a Louisville Slugger bat and National League Player of the Week 1990 plaque, estimated at $12,000 - $16,000.

UPDATE: Dykstra's Patek sold for $28,000, on the low end of the estimate.

LuxistLenny Dykstra's Patek Philippe and More at Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>athletebankruptcybaseballLenny DykstraLennyDykstraPatek PhilippePatekPhilippesportsThu, 10 Dec 2009 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Bvlgari Auctions Off Rare Jewelry]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/10/bvlgari-auctions-off-rare-jewelry/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/10/bvlgari-auctions-off-rare-jewelry/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/10/bvlgari-auctions-off-rare-jewelry/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bvlgari finished off its 125th anniversary year in style at Christie's New York with an auction to benefit Save the Children. To close out its 125th anniversary year, the jeweler hosted a star-studded crowd at the auction house and put 11 incredible jewelry lots and seven timepieces up for sale. Stars in attendance included Morgan Fairchild, Rose Byrne, Jessica Lange and Ricky Martin, who posed with model Esther Canadas. Bvlgari raised a total of $1,546,500 including $270,000 for the diamond Lucea choker seen in the gallery below. The company will be working with Save the Children again next year.

Gallery: Bulgari Save The Children Auction

Yellow Gold SautoirPlatinum Multi-Colored Sapphire and Diamond Necklace:Diamond Color change Star Sapphire and Diamond Ring

LuxistBvlgari Auctions Off Rare Jewelry originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionbulgaribvlgarichristiesrewrite the futureRewriteTheFuturesave the childrenSaveTheChildrenThu, 10 Dec 2009 01:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Historic Cognac Sells For Ten Times Over Estimate]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/09/historic-cognac-sells-for-ten-times-over-estimate/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/09/historic-cognac-sells-for-ten-times-over-estimate/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/09/historic-cognac-sells-for-ten-times-over-estimate/#commentsFiled under: ,


Part of the lure of drinking older vintages is the idea of quaffing history, imagining what was happening when the bottle was first sealed. The 427-year-old La Tour d'Argent restaurant in Paris recently auctioned off some of its drinkable history in an auction that brought in 1.54 million euros in two days. A bottle of 1788 Clos du Griffier cognac was one of the first of around 18,000 bottles auctioned off. French entrepreneur Raphael Zier paid 25,000 euros for it but is quoted by Bloomberg as saying that he paid 10 times the asking price because he was eager to contribute to the charity for children, Association Petits Princes, which would get the proceeds. Ivan Imenitov, a Russian businessman picked up another bottle of the 1788 Clos du Griffier for 15,000 euros. It was priced lower because mold had obscured the label. Imenitvov said he was just happy to get the aged cognac, label or not. Collectors from around the world picked up bottles of aged Bordeaux and Burgundy. The bottles, which were bought directly from vinters and sent straight to the seller, had an impeccable provenance, a concern in these days of wine fraud.

The auction also brought attention back to the historic restaurant which is currently trying to earn back a second Michelin star (at one point it had three but is now down to one). Most of the auction proceeds, except for the charity sale of the cognac bottle, will go toward fleshing out the wine cellar with newer vintages and sprucing up the kitchen.

LuxistHistoric Cognac Sells For Ten Times Over Estimate originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctioncognacfrancela tour dargentLaTourDargentpariswineWed, 09 Dec 2009 23:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Elton John and David Furnish To Hold Large Clothing Sale]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/09/elton-john-and-david-furnish-to-hold-large-clothing-sale/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/09/elton-john-and-david-furnish-to-hold-large-clothing-sale/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/09/elton-john-and-david-furnish-to-hold-large-clothing-sale/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish are cleaning out their closets for a good cause. The pair is holding a wardrobe purge in the form of a pop-up shop at Covent Garden, London, on the former site of the Theatre Museum. The pair amasses quite a bit of clothing and every so often they sell off part of their wardrobes. So far they have raised millions for the Elton John Aids Foundation. According to the London Times, thousands of items of clothing and accessories have been shipped in from the couple's properties around the world for the sale. The booty will include stage costumes created for Sir Elton by Versace and Yohji Yamamoto along with Etro shirts and ties.

Elton John has decided to part with a complete collection of vividly printed silk shirts by Gianni Versace. Other items include dressing gowns, shoes, belts, bags, sunglasses and more, all priced from £30 to as high as £750 for the suits. The shop opens on December 12 and will be restocked daily until everything is sold. On December 19 any unsold items will be marked down to clearance prices.

LuxistElton John and David Furnish To Hold Large Clothing Sale originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitydavid furnishDavidFurnishelton johnelton john aids foundationEltonJohnEltonJohnAidsFoundationsaleWed, 09 Dec 2009 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Old Masters Expected to Set Records at Sotheby's and Christie's]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/08/old-masters-expected-to-set-records-at-sothebys-and-christies/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/08/old-masters-expected-to-set-records-at-sothebys-and-christies/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/08/old-masters-expected-to-set-records-at-sothebys-and-christies/#commentsFiled under: ,

Christie's and Sotheby's aren't being shy with the Old Masters. Pieces by Rembrandt, Raphael and Van Dyck are being offered at hefty prices, some records, that could bring in up to $133 million. If this happens, art collectors will have doubled last year's result ... and cast a strong vote in favor of an art market recovery.

The Christie's sale on Tuesday will include a portrait by Rembrandt and a sketch by Raphael. They are being estimated at 18 million pounds and 12 million pounds, respectively. According to Christie's, these are the highest estimates seen at auction, says Bloomberg News. The Sotheby's sale occurs on Tuesday, featuring a Van Dyck portrait that could fetch as much as 3 million pounds.

Unlike the volatile market for contemporary art, prices for the Old Masters have been relatively stable, as the supply is diminishing and demand is increasing.

According to Johnny van Haeften, an art dealer based in London, told Bloomberg News, "Prices at auction are very strong because there isn't much out there." He continues, "People don't want to sell at the moment. They're saying, 'If I let a painting go, where do I put the money? I'd rather keep it in a work of art.'" He bid unsuccessfully for two still life pieces by 17th century Dutch painter Adriaen Coorte. Both ultimately sold for more than 10 times their high-end presale estimates.

[Photo via Christie's]

LuxistOld Masters Expected to Set Records at Sotheby's and Christie's originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart auctionart auctionsart collectingart collectionart collectorart marketArtAuctionArtAuctionsArtCollectingArtCollectionArtCollectorArtistsArtMarketartworkauctionauction-houseauctionsChristiesOld MastersOldMastersrembrandtSothebysothebysTue, 08 Dec 2009 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Bette Midler Helps Restore New York]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/07/bette-midler-helps-restore-new-york/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/07/bette-midler-helps-restore-new-york/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/07/bette-midler-helps-restore-new-york/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bette MidlerBette Midler is more than a woman -- she's like an army. We're not just talking about the power of her singing voice; she's also a dancer, an actress, a comedienne, and a well-known humanitarian, and a champion of both the arts and the Earth.

Since 1995, she's been working on her New York Restoration Project (NYRP -- she founded it), which has been helping NYC get greener and cleaner. Just recently, Bette herself planted the 250,000th NYRP tree in a Queens neighborhood and unveiled a new garden near Yankee Stadium. Now, she's auctioning off some very unique experiences with celebrities on CharityFolks.com, experiences which would make unbeatable holiday gifts.

Among the current gifts available are:
  • Meet John Stamos Backstage at Bye Bye Birdie & Enjoy 2 VIP House Seats - $1,500.00
  • Private Lesson with Tennis Great John McEnroe & Roundtrip Travel on JetBlue Airways! - $2,750.00
  • Meet Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steve Winwood, One of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time According to Rolling Stone, with 2 VIP Tix to a 2010 European Show Date - $1,500.00
Those are current bid prices; buyouts are available at higher numbers. All the proceeds will benefit NYRP, which plans to plant 1 million trees by 2017 (and totally will). Other items include a chance to meet Cher, a walk-on role with Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd, a getaway to Richard Branson's Necker Island, and more. She's convinced nearly 100 of her celebrity friends to contribute, so keep your eye on the NYRP CharityFolks page to see what's up for auction next.

"We've turned 55 vacant lots into beautiful community gardens and planted more than 250,000 trees, and we're just getting started, so I hope you'll join in the merriment by placing a bid today!" says Midler.

LuxistBette Midler Helps Restore New York originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bette midlerBetteMidlerJohn McEnroeJohn StamosJohnMcenroeJohnStamosNew York Restoration ProjectNewYorkRestorationProjectNYCNYRPSteve WinwoodSteveWinwoodMon, 07 Dec 2009 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Rare Patek Philippe Worth Over $1 Million Up for Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/03/rare-patek-philippe-worth-over-1-million-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/03/rare-patek-philippe-worth-over-1-million-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/03/rare-patek-philippe-worth-over-1-million-up-for-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,

patek philippe watchIn addition to the collection of professional divers' Rolexes we wrote about the other day, Antiquorum will auction off a rare Patek Philippe platinum wristwatch worth over $1 million in NYC on Dec. 9.

The extraordinary Patek Philippe Ref. 3974, produced in 1999, is a minute repeating wristwatch with a black dial, perpetual calendar and moon phases, on an alligator strap.

Prior to this sale, only three models of this reference in platinum have ever been sold at auction. This outstanding timepiece was offered with two additional dials as noted in the extract from Patek Philippe's archives.

Also of interest for the Patek aficionado is the Patek Philippe Ref. 3450 with transparent case back. Made in 1983, it is a very fine and extremely rare 18K yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases, and leap year indicator, estimated at $200,000 - $300,000.

LuxistRare Patek Philippe Worth Over $1 Million Up for Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntiquorumPatek PhilippePatekPhilippeplatinumwatchesThu, 03 Dec 2009 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[The Winter Palace Among Bonham's Offerings]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/03/the-winter-palace-among-bonhams-offerings/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/03/the-winter-palace-among-bonhams-offerings/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/03/the-winter-palace-among-bonhams-offerings/#commentsFiled under: ,


Bonhams & Butterfields will hold its annual holiday auction of Natural History on December 6, 2009, in Los Angeles. Amid the crystal specimens and faceted stones are several fine examples of lapidary art. The most stunning is The Winter Palace, an illuminated music box made of rock crystal quartz, diamonds and aquamarines. It was designed to resemble a Russian onion-domed palace tower and was created under the direction of the German lapidary artist, Manfred Wild. It is decorated with 641 small diamonds and the music box key is made of 18K gold with a cabochon aquamarine inset on each side. The doors of the palace open to reveal a tiny model of a Russian dacha in 18K golf with a snow-covered roof rendered in diamonds. This piece carries a presales estimate of $250,000 to $300,000.

The auction also features an 18.36 carat orange-pink padparadscha sapphire. The pear-shaped gem has a presales estimate of $350,000 to $400,000. Also up for bid is "The Cat's Meow," a 47.80 carat cat's eye chrysoberyl ring estimated at $120,000 to $140,000. A huge blister pearl, The Palawan Princess, is also up for sale. The five-pound product of a giant clam is estimated at $300,000 to $400,000 and comes with half of the original giant clamshell showing the point of attachment where the pearl formed.

LuxistThe Winter Palace Among Bonham's Offerings originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artauctiongiant pearlGiantPearllapidary artLapidaryArtmineral specimenmineralsMineralSpecimenrock crystalRockCrystalstonesThu, 03 Dec 2009 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Yellowstone Club Furnishings Auctioned Off]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/02/yellowstone-club-furnishings-auctioned-off/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/02/yellowstone-club-furnishings-auctioned-off/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/02/yellowstone-club-furnishings-auctioned-off/#commentsFiled under: ,


The Blixseth/Yellowstone auction was held on November 21 and the comprehensive sale of the belongings of Edra Blixseth amassed for the Yellowstone Club sold briskly. The Kamelot Auction House in Philadelphia saw its biggest crowd to date as many people came to check out the large collection of vintage furnishings, rugs and other objects. Some objects, such as antique rugs, sold for far over their estimates while other pieces including several antique French sideboards valued at nearly $30,000 each were sold at bargain-basement prices ($12,240 for the pair). A pair of life-size monumental cast bronze elk sold for over $10,000 while a similar pair of life-size bronze horses and riders went for $5,000 dollars. Objects were sold without the limitations of a minimum bid. The sale was estimated to bring in $500,000 to $800,000 and actual sales were about $750,000. A complete catalogue of the Yellowstone Collection including photo galleries and detailed descriptions of every lot is currently available at www.kamelotauctions.com.

LuxistYellowstone Club Furnishings Auctioned Off originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>edra blixsethEdraBlixsethfurniture auctionFurnitureAuctionyellowstone clubYellowstoneClubWed, 02 Dec 2009 22:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Pony Express Stamp Collection Up For Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/02/pony-express-stamp-collection-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/02/pony-express-stamp-collection-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/02/pony-express-stamp-collection-up-for-auction/#commentsFiled under:

Although in this time of instant messaging and email on our phones we are far removed from the ideas of waiting for a letter, the Pony Express still fascinates many people. The Pony Express only operated 19 months from April 3, 1860 to October 26, 1861 but it remains iconic part of Wild West history. One of only three known surviving envelopes postmarked on the first day of Pony Express service in 1860 is among the Pony Express mail and postage stamps that will be offered in a public auction in New York City and online on December 5, 2009 by Siegel Auction Galleries. The multi-million dollar collection is owned by retired Hawaii business executive, Thurston Twigg-Smith, 88, former publisher of the Honolulu Advertiser newspaper.

"This is the most important private collection of noteworthy Pony Express material ever offered in a public auction," said Scott R. Trepel, President of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. of New York in a press release. There are 32 Pony Express-postmarked envelopes in the auction, along with dozens of examples of single stamps and multiple blocks of Pony Express postage issued by Wells Fargo & Co. He estimates the collection will sell for $2.5 million or more.

Thurston Twigg-Smith was the publisher of the Honolulu Advertiser from 1961 to 1993 and began collecting stamps at the age of eight in 1929. His favorite item in the collection is one of only two known surviving Pony Express letters that originated from Hawaii. It is valued today at $500,000 or more, it's an envelope with a rare $4 denomination Wells Fargo Pony Express stamp and addresses written in pencil that carried documents from the U.S. Consulate in Oahu, Hawaii to the U.S. Treasury Department in Washington, DC. in August 1861.

UPDATE: This auction brought in $4 million, far above the high estimate of $2.5 million.

LuxistPony Express Stamp Collection Up For Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>philatelistphilatelypony expressPonyExpressstampsWed, 02 Dec 2009 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Gem Records set at Christie's Hong Kong Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/02/gem-records-set-at-christies-hong-kong-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/02/gem-records-set-at-christies-hong-kong-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/02/gem-records-set-at-christies-hong-kong-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,

Hong Kong's fall sales have been great for records, for Christie's in particular. After several were broken at the art auction this week, the gem scene was ignited. A pink diamond no larger than a chickpea went for $10.8 million, according to Bloomberg News. The stone had the second-highest rating available (potentially flawless) and a weight of 5 carats. It shattered the per-carat record set back in May. Back then, Hong Kong property investor Joseph Lau picked up a 7.03-carat blue diamond at an auction in Geneva for $10.5 million.

The pink diamond was sent under the gavel by Graff Diamonds, a London-based jeweler. The stone was sold to a phone bidder who beat out Liu Yiqian and his wife, Wang Wei. But, those two have bought enough already, right?

Overall, the 255 lots sold (an 89 percent sell rate) brought in HK$372 million, with the action pushed forward by mainland Chinese, a growing trend in the auction world this year. Donald May, a ruby and sapphire dealer based in Hong Kong, attended the auction and told Bloomberg, "There's a lot of mainland Chinese buying; either they didn't know what the items are worth or they wanted them so badly that price didn't matter." He believes that prices were pushed way out of control.

There were other records set in Hong Kong, as well. A sapphire weighing 16.65 carats, set by Van Cleef & Arpels, brought in HK$18.6 million, also setting a per-carat record.

[Photo courtesy of Christie's]

LuxistGem Records set at Christie's Hong Kong Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionauction-houseAuctionHouseauctionschinachristiesdiamonddiamondsgemgemsgraffgraff diamondsgraff jewelersGraffDiamondsGraffJewelershonk kongHonkKongjeweljewelryjewelspink diamondPinkDiamondsapphiresapphiresvan cleefVan Cleef ArpelsVanCleefVanCleefArpelsWed, 02 Dec 2009 03:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Christie's Hong Kong: One Bidder, $146 Million In One Year]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/01/christies-hong-kong-one-bidder-146-million-in-one-year/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/01/christies-hong-kong-one-bidder-146-million-in-one-year/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/01/christies-hong-kong-one-bidder-146-million-in-one-year/#commentsFiled under: ,

One bidder spent more than $146 million this year and dropped a boatload of cash at the Christie's Hong Kong art auction on Monday, pushing prices higher and smashing records. Wang Wei, with her husband, investor Liu Yiqian, ranks 176th among the wealthiest in China, with a net worth of $740 million ... and she wouldn't say how much she's spent on art this year.

Wang waved Paddle 960 aggressively on Monday, sometimes tossing bids up HK$1 million at a time to distance herself from competitors for particular pieces. A few times, she didn't bother lowering her paddle, instead just holding it up until her rivals quit.

At Sotheby's Hong Kong in October, Wang's husband shelled out $11 million for a Qing Dynasty imperial throne, complete with carved dragons, setting a record. And, this month, he payd $25 million for a Ming Dynasty scroll by Wu Bin at Beijing's Poly auction -- it was the most paid for a Chinese painting.

At Monday's Christie's sale, HK$126.7 million in art sold, and the house wouldn't reveal how much of it went to Wang. Speaking for herself, the collector reveals why she made the purchases she did. According to Bloomberg News: "I just bought those for fun."

[Photo courtesy of Christie's]

LuxistChristie's Hong Kong: One Bidder, $146 Million In One Year originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart collectingart collectionart collectorart marketArtCollectingArtCollectionArtCollectorartistArtMarketartworkBeijingchinachinese artChinese artistschinese artsChineseArtChineseArtistsChineseArtsChristiesHong KongHongKongqingqing dynastyQingDynastysothebysTue, 01 Dec 2009 21:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Auction Houses Relying on Russian Billionaires This Week]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/01/auction-houses-relying-on-russian-billionaires-this-week/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/01/auction-houses-relying-on-russian-billionaires-this-week/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/01/auction-houses-relying-on-russian-billionaires-this-week/#commentsFiled under: ,

In London today, $90 million in Russian art is going under the gavel, and the auction houses are hoping that a still robust community of Russian billionaires will come out in force to repatriate their heritage. Both Christie's and Sotheby's are holding auctions on December 1, 2 and 3, with MacDougall's, which specializes in Russian art, also selling on December 2 and 3. Bonhams is conducting one today.

There are some signs that the sales could go well. Sotheby's moved $13.8 million in Russian art at an auction a month ago, topping the $9 million presale estimate. The Russian government is saying the economy should grow next year, after falling 10 percent this year. If recovery is en route, big spending Russians may show up at this week's art auctions.

There's no shortage of Russian art coming on the market this week. In addition to the 540 lots being offered by Sotheby's, at a presale range of 14.8 million pounds to 21.2 million pounds, MacDougall's is selling 460 lots (12.5 million pounds to 17.6 million pounds), including a painting of a topless woman by Zinaida Serebriakova for between 1 million pounds and 1.5 million pounds. Christie's has 578 lots, with a presale estimate of 6.5 million pounds to 9.3 million pounds.

LuxistAuction Houses Relying on Russian Billionaires This Week originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart auctionart auctionsart collectingart collectionart collectorart marketArtAuctionArtAuctionsArtCollectingArtCollectionArtCollectorArtMarketartworkauctionauction-houseAuctionHouseauctionsbillionairebillionairesbonhamsBonhamsAuctionChristiesrussian artRussian billionaireRussian billionairesRussianArtRussianBillionaireRussianBillionairessothebysTue, 01 Dec 2009 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Famous Roman Polanski Nude Photo Up for Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/01/famous-roman-polanski-nude-photo-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/01/famous-roman-polanski-nude-photo-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/01/famous-roman-polanski-nude-photo-up-for-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,


A famous nude photograph of Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate taken by David Bailey in 1969 will be auctioned off during Christie's Photographs sale in New York on Dec. 7. Estimated at $8,000 - $12,000, it's likely to go higher given the current media glare surrounding the controversial director. At press time, Polanski, whose films include Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown and The Pianist, was granted $4.5 million bail after being held in a prison in Switzerland on charges relating to a 32-year-old case in which he admitted to having sex with a minor. In 1978, Polanski fled the U.S. rather than face sentencing in a Los Angeles court, and has lived as a fugitive in France ever since. Tate was murdered in L.A. by members of Charles Manson's gang not long after the photograph was taken.

LuxistFamous Roman Polanski Nude Photo Up for Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebrityChristiesDavid BaileyDavidBaileyphotographyRoman PolanskiRomanPolanskiTue, 01 Dec 2009 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Renowned Diver's Rolex Collection Up for Auction]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/01/renowned-divers-rolex-collection-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/01/renowned-divers-rolex-collection-up-for-auction/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/01/renowned-divers-rolex-collection-up-for-auction/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Antiquorum's auction on On December 9th in New York will include an exceptional collection of Rolex watches formerly owned by world renowned record holding diver Patrice Chemin. Chemin joined Comex in the early 1970's and was selected to participate in several hyperbaric experimental dives including Physalie V, a world record dive at 530 m (1706 ft) in 1970, and Physalie VI at 610m (2001 ft) in 1972 - a world record that he held for 11 years. His collection includes a Rolex 'Comex' Ref. 5514, a Rolex 'Double Red' Sea-Dweller and a Rolex 'Comex' Ref. 168000. The Rolex Comex Ref. 5514 (above) is a very rare stainless steel diver's wristwatch with first generation helium escapement valve and a 'maxi' dial. It is being offered along with Mr. Chemin's diving helmet with an estimate of $40,000 - $ 60,000. The 'Double Red' SeaDweller from 1972 is estimated at $25,000 - $45,000.

LuxistRenowned Diver's Rolex Collection Up for Auction originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntiquorumComexdivingPatrice CheminPatriceCheminRolexTue, 01 Dec 2009 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Random Jesus Sightings are Big Business on eBay]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/30/random-jesus-sightings-are-big-business-on-ebay/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/30/random-jesus-sightings-are-big-business-on-ebay/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/30/random-jesus-sightings-are-big-business-on-ebay/#commentsFiled under:

$1,000,000 marble tileThis Sunday, according to Yahoo, a woman in Massachusetts found the image of Jesus Christ burned onto her iron. She reportedly intends to keep the treasure in the closet, but she might just make a killing with it on eBay.

We've all heard tales of sightings of Jesus and the Virgin Mary in everything from toast to car windshields. A search for "image of Jesus" on eBay yields results including potatoes, potato chips, a million-dollar marble tile (above), soap, and an antique book selling for $30,000.

If you have the faith and the money, this kind of collecting might be a fun pastime, but are these images really divine? Worse yet, is there an opportunity for scams here? I don't know how you'd attempt to emblazon the face of Jesus on a marble tile like the one here, or on a potato chip (maybe with a lighter?), but the prices people are seeking for their allegedly divine finds are pretty high.

Click through the gallery to see if you can see Jesus in these high-priced (and not-so-high-priced) items.

Gallery: Images of Jesus on eBay

$3,000$1,000,000Currently at $6.23$10.00$0.99

LuxistRandom Jesus Sightings are Big Business on eBay originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayjesusjesus on a potato chipJesusOnAPotatoChipMon, 30 Nov 2009 20:01:00 EST