On March 20, 2024, at Bonhams Knightsbridge, a significant literary artifact changed hands as an uncorrected proof copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopherโs Stone” by J.K. Rowling, dating back to 1997, was auctioned off. The item, which bore Rowling’s inscription and signature, sold for ยฃ35,840 ($45,000), falling within the pre-sale estimate range of ยฃ30,000-50,000 ($37,000-63,000).
A very rare first edition and authorโs presentation copy of Charles Darwinโs groundbreaking work, “On the Origin of Species,” fetched an astonishing ยฃ305,200 ($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 ยฃ1,308,337 ($1,648,000), with an impressive 93% of the lots sold by volume and an astounding 99% sold by value.
In a remarkable event at Bonhams 19th century and British Impressionist Art Sale today, an exquisite oil on canvas by Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov (1844-1927) stole the spotlight, fetching an astonishing ยฃ1,379,000 ($1,760,000). The painting, titled ‘And she went and told them that she had been with Him as they mourned and wept’, is a part of Polenov’s renowned series, ‘The Life of Christ’. Initially estimated to sell for ยฃ400,000-600,000, the final price far exceeded expectations, marking a significant moment in the art world.
An extraordinary rediscovery in the world of Islamic art has emerged as a bronze portrait medallion of Sultan Mehmed II, predating his historic conquest of Constantinople, prepares to take the spotlight at Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art Sale on Tuesday, May 21. The event will be held at Bonhams New Bond Street location in London, where art enthusiasts and historians alike will have the opportunity to witness this remarkable artifact.
A rare oil painting by the Russian artist Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov (1844-1927), part of a series titled ‘The Life of Christ,’ will take center stage at Bonhams’ upcoming 19th-century and British Impressionist Art Sale on March 20 at New Bond Street in London. Entitled ‘And she went and told them that she had been with Him as they mourned and wept,’ the artwork is expected to fetch between ยฃ400,000 and ยฃ600,000. Another painting from the same series, ‘There were also women looking from afar off,’ achieved a price of over ยฃ1.5 million at Bonhams last year.
Bobkova utilizes these materials to explore our relationship with the linear progression of time. Both metal and ceramics undergo an arduous process of craftsmanship: porcelain is hand-rolled paper-thin and carefully fired to produce delicate sheets, while bronze is painstakingly engraved with abstract images transcribed from the sound waves of digital voice notes.
Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ Auction marked a historic moment as over 450 meticulously crafted pieces from the acclaimed TV series found new homes, fetching a remarkable ยฃ1,674,000 at Bonhams, London. The auction, which boasted an impressive 100% sell-through rate, exceeded all expectations, showcasing the enduring allure of this beloved show.
In celebration of Tokyo Park’s inaugural showcase of contemporary Japanese art beyond the confines of the UK, Ninjin Art Productions has unveiled a captivating music-driven film chronicling the Onna No Ko exhibition at London’s Old Street Gallery in Shoreditch this past June. Titled ‘Onna No Ko: New Visions of Beauty,’ this visually dynamic short film boasts a runtime of 5 minutes and 10 seconds, featuring an electrifying electro house soundtrack crafted by the film’s director and acclaimed animator, Ignatius Rake.
The award-winning series, The Crown, is one of Netflixโs most prestigious and acclaimed shows. Now, as the final series premieres, Bonhams announces a once-in-a-lifetime auction of close to 450 props, furniture, and costumes โ including those inspired by Queen Elizabethโs Coronation Robes and Princess Dianaโs โRevenge dressโ โ from all six series of The Crown, written and created by Peter Morgan and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television. A live sale of approximately 150 lots will take place on Wednesday 7 February 2024 at Bonhams, New Bond Street, London, followed by an online auction of around 300 lots commencing on 30 January to 8 February on bonhams.com. Proceeds from the live sale will go towards establishing the Left Bank Pictures โThe Crown Scholarship programme at the National Film and Television School (NFTS) which has training sites across the UK in Buckinghamshire, London, Leeds, Scotland, and Wales.
The Helen and David Milling Collection, featuring the finest British and American art pottery and glass from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, will be showcased at Bonhams this December. Over the span of half a century, the Michigan couple meticulously assembled an exceptional collection from some of the era’s most renowned potters, designers, and artists. This distinguished assortment comprises more than 350 lots, to be presented across three sales this December: 20th Century Decorative Arts and Ceramics on December 5 in London, Modern Decorative Art & Design on December 12 in New York, and the dedicated Helen and David Milling Online auction from December 8โ18 at Bonhams Skinner.
