Christie’s Brokers $14.4m Sale of St. Cuthbert Gospel
April 18, 2012

The oldest surviving European book that’s intact isn’t very large. In fact, the St. Cuthbert Gospel is almost small enough to fit in one’s palm. It’s price, however, is another thing. Yesterday it was announced that the British Library, in a deal brokered by Christie’s, has purchased the 7th century manuscript from the Society of Jesus for $14.4m.The book takes its name from the 7th century English Christian leader in whose coffin it was discovered in 1104. Still in its beautifully preserved red leather binding, the book appears exactly as it would have to a 7th century Anglo Saxon. The purchase was made with the aid of a $7.2m grant from Britain’s National Heritage Memorial Fund together with gifts from the Art Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation and the Foyle Foundation.
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Rare Southeast Asia Maps At Sotheby’s
May 04, 2012

Before the 15th century, Ptolemy’s 2nd century maps of Southeast Asia were regarded as authoritative. After Columbus’ and da Gama’s voyages of discovery produced new information, however, cartographers began producing more accurate examples. An Indonesia-based collector named David Parry amassed a considerable assortment of these maps, whose timeline extends all the way to the 20th century. At Sotheby’s Travel, Atlases, Maps & Natural History sale on May 9th in London, the Parry collection is expected to sell for $226,100-$290,700.Another highlight of the sale is a collection of 19th century views of Burma produced in 1855 by Linnaeus Tripe. Following the Anglo-Burmese war in 1852, the Governor General of India commissioned Tripe to record these newly annexed lands. Preserved in their original portfolio and signed and dated by Tripe, the collection is estimated at $242,250-$323,000.
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Once Again, Patek Phillipe Scores Record Price
April 27, 2012

Antiquorum thought they might get $800,000 for a rare platinum Patek Phillipe at its auction this week in New York, but following spirited bidding an American buyer paddled down $902,500, the highest price ever paid for a single dial Patek Philippe Ref. 3974. Several other Patek Phillipes at the sale also achieved record prices.The watch was made in 1992 and was coveted for years by serious collectors. As Antiquorum described it, “the watch is an astronomic, minute repeating, self-winding wristwatch with a perpetual calendar, leap-year indication and moon phases. It is stamped with the hallmark of renowned case maker Jean-Pierre Hagmann and is accompanied by the original Patek Philippe mahogany fitted box, spare platinum caseback, Certificate of Origin, setting pin, booklets and the extract from the archives.”
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Prince Charles’ Aston Martin To Sell
April 26, 2012

Prince Charles has a well-documented fondness for Aston Martins. The company reciprocated by loaning him a new hunter green 1994 6.3-litre Aston Martin Virage Volante, which he drove until around 2008. Since that time, it’s been on display at the company’s headquarters in Great Britain, but now Bonhams is selling it. At an auction at Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell factory in England, it’s expected to fetch $81,000-$110,000.Devoted entirely to Aston Martins, the sale also features such rarities as a 1991 DB4GT Sanction II Coupe (est. $1.9m-$2.4m), a 1965 DB5 Sports Saloon (est. $390,000-$450,000), and a 1975 Lagonda Series 1 7-Litre Saloon (est. $00,000-$480,000).Auctionnewsnetwork
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Prince Charles’ Aston Martin To Sell
April 26, 2012

Prince Charles has a well-documented fondness for Aston Martins. The company reciprocated by loaning him a new hunter green 1994 6.3-litre Aston Martin Virage Volante, which he drove until around 2008. Since that time, it’s been on display at the company’s headquarters in Great Britain, but now Bonhams is selling it. At an auction at Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell factory in England, it’s expected to fetch $81,000-$110,000.Devoted entirely to Aston Martins, the sale also features such rarities as a 1991 DB4GT Sanction II Coupe (est. $1.9m-$2.4m), a 1965 DB5 Sports Saloon (est. $390,000-$450,000), and a 1975 Lagonda Series 1 7-Litre Saloon (est. $00,000-$480,000).
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Ted Williams’ Huge Baseball Collection For Sale
April 25, 2012

Turns out the great Ted Williams, who collected awards by the bushel, was also a fanatic collector of baseball memorabilia including a program for the first World Series ever played, (1903), and a baseball signed by Babe Ruth, the only autograph Williams ever requested. His collection will be sold at an auction staged at Fenway Park. The catalog alone runs 300-pages. The sale, staged by Hunt Auctions, will be held on April 28th for Red Sox fans and as many others who care to bid by phone, Internet, or live at the stadium. Williams died in 2002 at 83. He played all 21-years of his career in left field at Fenway. He also took time out from his playing days to serve two terms in the military.
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The Truth About Billy The Kid
February 18, 2011

One of only two documented tintypes of Billy the Kid will be auctioned on June 25 at Brian Lebel’s Old West Show and Auction in Denver. They’re hoping for $300,000–$400,000. The problem with the picture is young Billy was not left handed.

There was even a movie called, “The Left Handed Gun,” but the fact is the gun fighter wore his six shooter on the right side. The original image was reversed in the printing. Billy had the picture taken outside a bar in New Mexico around 1880. He was killed shortly thereafter at age 21.
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Judson Ball Native American Collection At Bonhams
April 20, 2012

Over several decades Judson C. Ball and his wife assembled a distinguished collection of Native American art, concentrating on three areas: kachina dolls, Southwest baskets and weavings, and New Mexican religious art. Bonhams will offer the collection in New York on May 14th, when the featured item will be a red and blue Navajo double saddle/child’s blanket estimated at $50,000-$70,000.The sale includes the largest collection of antique Native American dolls ever to come to auction. Estimates for these Kachina dolls, produced from the late 1890’s through the 1960’s, range from $1,000-$1,500 to $15,000-$25,000. There’s also extensive selection of Katsina dolls in the sale. Such notable Hopi and Zuni craftsmen as Wilson Tawaquaptewa and Jimmie Kewanwytewa were among the carvers.
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