Taylor Swift’s Rare Handwritten Interview Sold for $18,000 – Read Her Answers, See Her Signature, Discover Her Secrets!High-End Art and Celebrity Collaborations: Exclusive Interview with Renowned Curator Jean-David Malat | Part 3Monet’s Masterpiece Smashes Records at Christie’s with a Staggering $74,010,000 SaleInterview with Chris O’Rourke | Part 2 – Business Side of Metal Sculpting
Maurice Leloir’s Four Historical Scenes Sell for €128,600 at BonhamsJacob Jordaens’s Portrait of His Wife Sells for €154,200 at BonhamsRenaissance Portrait Attributed to Conrad Faber Sells for €295,000 at BonhamsJodi the Nanotyrannus Sells for US$47.3 Million at Sotheby’sQianlong Emperor’s Jewel-Encrusted Gold Ewer Sells for US$7.11 Million at Christie’sHockney’s €282,200 Print Leads Warhol and Banksy in €1.06 Million Bonhams SaleMV Agusta Sells for $1.3 Million, Setting an Italian Motorcycle Auction RecordEnigma Machine Sells for £203,600 at Bonhams: Inside the 1941 Cipher DeviceUzo Egonu’s Will Knowledge Safeguard Freedom I Sets Auction Record at £198,900Yusuf Grillo’s One Man Band Sets Artist Auction Record at £461,300Ben Enwonwu’s Anyanwu Sells for £602,100, Setting a Sculpture Record at BonhamsRare Gandhi Portrait Achieves £152,800, Tripling Its EstimateBanksy’s British Cool Mickey Snake Triumphs at Bonhams, Selling for £330,600Whistler’s First Portrait Commission Sells for Five Times Estimate, Fetching $495,000Bridget Riley Stuns Art World as Myrrh Soars to $2.36M at Bonhams

Auctions

Auction news, notable collections, and sale results for art, antiques, and collectibles.

Rare 15th Century Astrolabe Fetches Over $600,000 Doubling Pre-Sale Expectations

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15th-century astrolabe with an engraved circular scale, openwork center and suspension ring against black fabric.

In a surprising turn of events at Bonhams’ Important Instruments of Science and Technology Sale in London on April 24th, a remarkably rare 15th-century astrolabe soared past its pre-sale estimate, fetching an impressive £508,400 ($635,000). Jon Baddeley, a specialist at Bonhams, expressed his astonishment at the outcome, stating, “This is one of the strongest results we’ve seen at auction at Bonhams Knightsbridge in the past decade.” Describing the astrolabe as an “early smartphone of sorts,” Baddeley emphasized its multifaceted utility, noting its significance in timekeeping, navigation, celestial observation, and even decision-making.

Historic First-Ever Formula 1 Lotus Climax Type 12 Chassis ‘353’ to be Sold for Nearly Half a Million in Monaco

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Close view of the green Lotus-Climax Type 12’s nose, race number 26, yellow front wheels and exposed suspension.

Racing aficionados and collectors are gearing up for an electrifying moment at The Bonhams|Cars Monaco Sale, ‘Les Grandes Marques à Monaco’, on May 10th, as one of the most historically significant Formula 1 cars makes its way to the auction block. The 1957-58 Lotus-Climax Type 12 chassis ‘353’, estimated at €290,000 – €390,000 ($308,000 – $415,000), is poised to steal the spotlight, offering enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of motorsport history.

Rare Basquiat Masterpieces Worth Over $60,000,000 Unveiled by Phillips

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Detail of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Untitled (ELMAR), 1982, with a red figure against blue and yellow areas.

The spotlight shines brightly on the monumental 1982 masterpiece, estimated to fetch a staggering $40-60 million. This captivating piece, dubbed ‘Untitled (ELMAR),’ commands attention with its sheer scale and intricate symbolism. Acquired by the Pellizzi Family just two years after its creation, this eight-foot-wide marvel stands as a testament to Basquiat’s transformative journey from street art prodigy to gallery luminary. Rich in iconography and imbued with self-referential imagery, ‘Untitled (ELMAR)’ offers a profound exploration of duality within the artist’s identity, encapsulating the essence of Basquiat at the zenith of his creative prowess.

$2,000,000 Häkkinen’s McLaren P1 Validation Prototype 3 (VP3) to be Auctioned in Monaco

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Mika Häkkinen beside the 2013 McLaren P1 Coupé Validation Prototype 3 (VP3), with its doors raised.

Mika Häkkinen, the renowned two-time Formula 1 World Champion and McLaren Brand Ambassador, is set to offer a unique piece of automotive history to the wealthiest car collectors in the world. Bonhams|Cars will present Häkkinen’s 2013 McLaren P1 Coupé Validation Prototype 3 (VP3) at The Monaco Sale ‘Les Grandes Marques à Monaco’. This event, scheduled for May 10, will witness the auctioning of this exceptional vehicle, making it the only Validation Prototype ever to grace such an occasion.

Legendary Admiral Lord Nelson’s Memorabilia Up for Auction

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Gold and black enamel mourning ring for Lord Nelson, with two coronets and the word Trafalgar.

Admiral Lord Nelson’s indelible mark on British history extends far beyond his iconic victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. His naval prowess, coupled with his captivating personal life, continues to captivate the public imagination. This April, Bonhams Knightsbridge is set to showcase a remarkable collection of memorabilia celebrating Nelson’s legacy in two distinct sales: Nelson Forever! A Naval Legacy in Ceramics and Glass on April 23, followed by the Marine Sale on April 24.

Zdzisław Beksiński’s Artwork Fetches Nearly €100,000 at Surrealist Sale in Paris

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Painting by Zdzisław Beksiński showing tall red and orange architectural forms against a pale blue-green sky.

Zdzislaw Beksinski (1929-2005), the renowned Polish artist, continues to captivate art enthusiasts worldwide as one of his significant pieces, an oil on panel, soared to a remarkable €91,840 at the recent Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr Surrealist Sale in Paris on March 27, 2024. The painting, which had a pre-sale estimate ranging from €50,000 to €70,000, emerged as one of the highlights of the event, drawing attention for its profound artistic expression.

Musée d’Arts de Nantes Acquires Jane Graverol’s Painting for Over €71,000

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Detail of "Le bon bout de la raison" by Jane Graverol, showing an owl between two lit candles.

In a notable display of support for female artists, the Musée d’Arts de Nantes (France) exercised its right under French law to pre-empt the final bids on three paintings at the recent Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr Surrealist Sale in Paris. The museum’s proactive stance in securing these artworks highlights its commitment to promoting gender diversity in the arts and enriching its collection with significant contributions from women artists.

Harry Potter Uncorrected Proof Copy by J.K. Rowling Sells for $45,000

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Signed and inscribed uncorrected proof of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Bonhams lot 122

On March 20, 2024, at Bonhams Knightsbridge, a significant literary artifact changed hands as an uncorrected proof copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling, dating back to 1997, was auctioned off. The item, which bore Rowling’s inscription and signature, sold for £35,840 ($45,000), falling within the pre-sale estimate range of £30,000-50,000 ($37,000-63,000).

Rare First Edition of Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species” Sells for Double Estimate at Bonhams Auction

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Green binding of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, with decorative panels and gold-coloured spine lettering.

A very rare first edition and author’s presentation copy of Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking work, “On the Origin of Species,” fetched an astonishing £305,200 ($384,000) at Bonhams Fine Books and Manuscripts Sale held on March 20, 2024. This price surpassed its initial estimate by over double, marking a significant moment in literary auction history. The auction saw a total sale of £1,308,337 ($1,648,000), with an impressive 93% of the lots sold by volume and an astounding 99% sold by value.

HOLLYWOOD CLASSIC: Rare Laurel and Hardy Painting Goes Up for Auction in Dallas

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Detail of the Laurel and Hardy painting: a man in a patterned red jacket beside a dark-haired woman.

Heritage Auctions will be including in its May auction an original oil painting portraying Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Bess Flowers, and Vivien Oakland from the 1929 movie classic, “We Faw Down.” The oil painting has been extensively researched and confirmed to be the work of early motion picture costume and set designer, Louise Lauritzen McCaslin (1896-1985). Auction bidding will open on May 3rd, 2024, at HA.com