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Francis Bacon & Andy Warhol Art Set Contemporary Auction Record

March 4, 2008 | Posted by Allison as Artsy Fartsy, Auctions at 11:00 am | Comments »

According to auction giant Sotheby’s, pieces by Francis Bacon & Andy Warhol have been auctioned off for the staggering figure $190 million.  Now, that’s a lot of Snickers bars. 

Due to the large amount of cash the modern art pieces brought in, Sotheby’s is claiming a new world record for a European art auction.

The pieces that were sold included: Francis Bacon’s ‘Study of Nude With Figure In A Mirror’, which brought in $40 million & three of Andy Warhol’s self-portraits sold for $23 million. 

I guess it’s high time we all started painting.

Jimi Hendrix Fringed Boots Up for Auction

January 28, 2008 | Posted by Allison as Auctions at 8:43 am | (2) Comments »

A pair of boots worn by guitar legend Jimi Hendrix will soon be up for auction in Dallas, Texas.

The suede fringed boots are expected to go for at least $20,000 in the upcoming Heritage Music & Entertainment Auction which is being held April 4-6.  Hendrix is said to have worn this pair of boots while onstage at Golden Gate Park on June 27, 1967 & I bet these babies got to see a whole lot of action.  If only shoes could really talk with those tongues if theirs….

Magna Carta Sells For $21.3 Million At Auction

December 19, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Auctions at 8:00 am | (4) Comments »

Being only one of 17 copies of the historical document, the Magna Carta, insured that a recent New York auction would end in high numbers & sweaty bidders.

Only last night did the gentleman David Rubenstein from the privately owned Carlyle Group pick up a copy of the 710-years-old Magna Carta, for just $21.3 million.  The declaration of human rights was sold at Soetheby’s & bears the seal of King Edward I, which is dated 1297.  The document was previously owned by the (Ross) Perot Foundation who purchased the copy in the early 1980s for $1.5 million.  Talk about an investment!

John Lennon’s Hair Sells For Big Bucks

December 13, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Auctions at 10:00 am | (5) Comments »

I have to first start by saying I’m sorry to all you readers.  I didn’t get the scoop on this before the auction had already been closed, and now you cannot present your loved one with locks of a Beatle gone.

A lock of hair out of the late John Lennon’s head was sold at auction recently for a grand total of $48,000.  You know, I would have guessed higher than that.  The auction also included an autographed copy of Lennon’s book, A Spaniard In the Works.  Both were part of a small collection from John’s former hairdresser Betty Glascow.

Is anyone else thinking that we should now start cutting celeb’s hair & hiding the locks in a dark closet somewhere in the hopes of one day cashing in?  Yeah, me neither.

$18 Million Rothschild Faberge Egg To Be Auctioned

November 12, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Auctions at 12:00 pm | (3) Comments »

Faberege eggs always go for a large sum of cash, but the famed Rothschild Faberge Egg is going to be a whole ‘nother ballgame.

Thought to break all the auction records for a Russian artwork, the Rothschild egg will be going on the auction block at Christies November 28.  Known to be an engagement gift to Germaine Halpien and Baron Edouard de Rothschild back in 1902, this Fabrege egg is expected to go for at least $18 million.

Anyone for an original holiday gift?

Orson Welles’ ‘Citizen Cane’ Script To Be Auctioned

November 6, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Auctions at 10:00 am | Comments »

These days it seems you can own a piece of anyone, if you’re at the right auction.  In an upcoming Orson Welles auction, his personal & prized script of the infamous film Citizen Cane will be at the chopping block.

Expected to fetch between $80k - $120k, the 156-pages script will hit the auction block December 11 from Sotheby’s New York.  As the most touted Kane memorabilia, I will not be at all surprised to see this gem go for more than $120,000.

Winston Churchill Painting To Be Sold At Auction

October 31, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Artsy Fartsy, Auctions at 12:00 pm | (1) Comment »

Man, auctions are the place to be this ghoulish Halloween.  A master of talents, Winston Churchill was a respected amateur artist as well as a statesman, and now you can own a piece of his artistry.

Marrakech, a piece Churchill painted in 1948, was gifted to President Truman.  Upon receiving the painting, Truman stated, “I shall treasure the picture as long as I live and it will be one of the most valued possessions I will be able to leave to (daughter) Margaret when I pass on.”

And that’s just what he did, but apparently daughter Margaret is will to part with the gift that is being valued at $1.03 million.  Not too shabby for a gift then, eh?  I better get started on painting & then giving.

Harry Potter First Edition Go For $40,000 At Auction

October 31, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Auctions at 10:00 am | (1) Comment »

Talk about scary this Halloween blogging day!  A first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was sold last Thursday at auction for an astounding $40,000!

Being one of 500 copies of the book certainly helps maintain the value of this first edition, but man $40,000?!  I guess there are Harry Potter fans & then there are Harry Potter fans.

World’s Most Famous Meteorites Sold At Auction

October 29, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Auctions at 11:00 am | Comments »

Several of the world’s most famous meteorites were sold at auction on Sunday.  Drawn from collections around the world, the illustrious selection of meteorites sold from between $83,000 to $300,000.

An iron meteorite from Siberia sold for $123,000, while an American piece that was estimated to be worth $1.1 million, did not even sell at Sunday’s auction.

I guess it’s a tough year for meteorites?