bonhams

Jenson Button's Ferrari to Sell At Bonhams

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

A 1978 Ferrari 512BB Berlinetta Boxer owned by British Formula One driver Jenson Button is to be sold by Bonhams at its sale of Collectors' Motor Cars at the RAF Museum in Hendon, UK on the 11th of April. The car, which was bought last year by Button, the then-reigning Formula One World Champion, has attracted a pre-sale estimate of up to $180,000.

Tags: auctions, Bonhams, celebrity cars, Ferrari, Ferrari 512BB Berlinetta Boxer, Formula One, Jenson Button, racing, UK

Continue reading “Jenson Button's Ferrari to Sell At Bonhams”

Steve McQueen's Husqvarna Motorcycle Up for Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, The Classicist

The Husqvarna 400CR motorcycle pictured on the cover of Sports Illustrated in August 1971 ridden by Steve McQueen, aka The King of Cool, will be auctioned off on May 14 at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California during Bonhams' sale of Exceptional Motorcycles & Related Memorabilia. McQueen's favorite motorcycle for a number of years, which he rode at the Elsinore Grand Prix among other events, it's sure to fetch a significant amount. The bike is featured prominently in the cool new edition of McQueen's Machines: The Cars and Bikes of a Hollywood Icon from Motorbooks.

The Husqvarna was originally purchased from the Steve McQueen Estate Sale in 1984 at Harrah's Auto Collection in Las Vegas. In addition to being impeccably restored and fully documented it comes with a wooden trunk marked "Husky" full of accessories. More McQueen ephemera will be offered at the sale including numerous racing trophies won by the legend of the silver screen and die-hard motorbike enthusiast. As we reported on March 10, McQueen's 1970 Porsche 911 is also headed for auction this summer.

Gallery: Steve McQueen's Husqvarna Motorbike

Tags: 1970s, actor, Bonhams, California, celebrity cars, Hollywood, Husqvarna, motorbike, motorcycle, Porsche, Steve McQueen

Henry Royce's Last Rolls-Royce Up for Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Henry Royce's Last Rolls-Royce Up for Auction

A 1929 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom II Weymann Sports Saloon, reputedly the last model that the marque's co-founder Henry Royce designed himself, is one of the highlights of the Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia sale at Bonhams in Oxford, UK on March 5th. The rare vehicle is expected to fetch up to $325,000. The now legendary Phantom II chassis provided a platform for some of the truly outstanding designs of its day, and was highly favored by prominent coachbuilders. The example offered by Bonhams carries Weymann-type sports saloon coachwork by the famed firm of H J Mulliner. It's presented in perfect condition having undergone a complete restoration and is perfectly capable of high speed road trips and classic car rallies. Or you could just sit and look at it all day.

Tags: 1920s, antique cars, auctions, Bonhams, British cars, classic cars, classic Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom II, UK

Russian Spacesuits Go Up For Sale As Part of Bonhams Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

A tissue dispenser might not be worth much but a tissue dispenser that was flown into orbit to the moon, now that will cost you. That tissue dispenser, estimated at $6,000 to $8,000 is one of the pieces to be sold in the Space History Sale taking place at Bonhams, New York on May 5th.

The sale will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Alan Shepard's historic mission on Freedom 7 as the first American in Space and items from the Forbes collection and from the estate of James E. Webb, a NASA administrator in the 1960s will be auctioned off. Bonhams has released a few highlights of the sale including a Russian spacesuit, Sokol K, worn by cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, Commander of the Soyuz 19 Spacecraft, during the historic Apollo-Soyuz Test Project on July 15-19, 1975. It is estimated at $100,000-150,000. A Russian spacesuit, Sokol KV-2, used by cosmonaut Gennadi Strekalov on the Soyuz TM 10, from August 1 to December 10, 1990, during a mission to the Mir space station is estimated at $60,000-80,000. An Apollo 14 Maurer Camera, from the personal collection of Edgar Mitchell, the Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo 14 and the sixth person to walk on the Moon used to film movies through the Lunar Module Pilot's window during the approach and landing of the Lunar Module is estimated at $60,000-80,000.

Bonhams has held two other Space History Sales. The first in July 2009 which is the highest-grossing American space history auction ever, and the second in April 2010 including the Neil Armstrong "One small step for a man" inscription which made $152,000. An Apollo 11 lunar module flown star chart sold for $218,000 in the 2009 sale and a Apollo 15 lunar module hand controller went for $206,000.

Tags: bonhams, cosmonaut, neil armstrong, russian space suit, space suit

Luxist Phototour: A Look At Eric Clapton's Legendary Guitars Up For Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Charity

In the last 50 years guitars have made the transition from serviceable musical instruments to works of art. Collectible guitars have become hot items at auction and some have been enshrined at museums around the country. Guitars that have been touched by guitar gods are particularly valued. In the guitar world they don't get much godlier than Eric Clapton. Clapton is a rock icon whose work has stretched decades. Not only is he one of the best, he's played with the best and is forever enshrined as part of the history of rock and roll.

Clapton has auctioned off guitars twice before in service of his other passion, recovery. The upcoming auction at Bonhams, New York on March 9 will benefit The Crossroads Centre, Antigua, the drug and alcohol rehabilitation center he founded in 1998. The sale will feature more than 70 guitars and 70 amps, which have helped create Clapton's legendary sound. Although he has donated guitars before this is the first time that he has brought his historic amplifier collection to auction and even for a non-musician, it's pretty compelling stuff. After all, you can't have Clapton's arena-filling sound without an amp.

Tags: Bonhams, Crossroads, Eric Clapton, Guitars

Continue reading “Luxist Phototour: A Look At Eric Clapton's Legendary Guitars Up For Auction”

Bonhams To Sell Furniture From The Lanesborough Hotel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Auctions

London's five-star hotel, The Lanesborough, is selling off a collection of hotel furniture at Bonhams, Knightsbridge, as part of its monthly Period Design sale on March 29. The furniture had been used in the hotel since its opening in 1991. The furniture is being sold because the hotel is creating a new suite by interior designer Alberto Pinto. The lavish first-floor suite will be located on the first floor, overlooking Hyde Park Corner, and will include four bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, a kitchen and four and a half bathrooms. The Lanesborough Suite will cost £14,000 plus VAT per night. The collection up for sale at Bonhams includes approximately 80 pieces, such as chandeliers, mirrors, paintings, furniture and works of art. Everything is being sold without reserve and prices range from £30 to £3,000.

The Lanesborough is located in Knightsbridge overlooking Hyde Park and has 95 guest rooms including 43 suites. Guest rooms and suites have Sony VAIO laptops in all guest rooms and fresh fruit and mineral water replenished daily. The room decor blends the latest technology with Regency-style furniture and art. Rooms start from £375.

Tags: bonhams, Bonhams auction, lanesborough, Lanesborough Hotel, LanesboroughHotel

EXCLUSIVE: Former Harrods Owner Mohamed al Fayed Sells Off His Rolls & Ferrari Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, The Classicist, Wealth

Last summer we reported that Mohamed al Fayed had sold famed London department store Harrods to Qatar's royal family for $2.2 billion. Now the ultra-rich businessman, equally well known as the father of the late Princess Diana's lover Dodi Fayed, is selling off his incredible car collection, featuring stunning custom classic Rolls-Royces, Ferraris and more. There are ten cars in all from al Fayed's collection starring in Bonhams' Paris sale of Motor Cars at the Grand Palais on Feb. 5 - chief among them being the 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 originally owned by John Lennon, expected to fetch up to $220,000, which we can now exclusively reveal comes from al Fayed's collection and was in fact owned by Dodi Fayed.

Next up are a remarkable pair of classic Rolls-Royce motorcars which al Fayed has refinished in custom Harrods Green livery, one with a royal pedigree. The 1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine (above) was the property of H.R.H. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent until al Fayed acquired it in 1996, and is expected to fetch up to $200,000. The Duke of Kent's Rolls, which was originally painted black, still has its blue bullet lamp on the roof signifying Royal ownership. There's also a matching Harrods Green 1969 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Limousine, estimated at up to $240,000. Read on for the full list of al Fayed's cars being offered for sale, including several other Ferraris:

Gallery: Mohamed al Fayed's Car Collection at Bonhams

Ex-Duke of Kent 1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V

Tags: auctions, Bonhams, British royalty, classic cars, department store, Dodi Fayed, Ferrari, Harrods, London, mohamed+al+fayed, mohamedalfayed, Mohammed al Fayed, Paris, Princess Diana, Rolls-Royce, royalty, UK

Continue reading “EXCLUSIVE: Former Harrods Owner Mohamed al Fayed Sells Off His Rolls & Ferrari Collection”

Bonhams Auctioning Off John Lennon's Ferrari

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

If you were just getting your driver's license now, what car would you buy? John Lennon got a Ferrari. This is the one, and it's going up for auction.

The Beatles frontman didn't get his license until he was 25, rich and famous, and when he did, local car dealers lined up outside the gates of his Kenwood residence with an array of cars to choose from. He ultimately selected this French racing blue Ferrari 330 GT 2+2, and though it was soon joined in the motor pool by a Mini and a Rolls-Royce, this will always remain the first car of the rock & roll legend.

Destined for the auction block on February 5 at the Grand Palais in Paris, Bonhams estimates its value between €120,000 – 170,000 ($155-220k).

Gallery: John Lennon's 1965 Ferrari 330 GT

Tags: auction, bonhams, ferrari, ferrari 330 gt, john lennon, lennon

Dragon Jar Sells For $7.658 Million At Bonhams & Butterfields

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Art

A blue and white porcelain Dragon jar had a huge result at Bonhams & Butterfields in San Francisco at the Fine Asian Works of Art sale on Monday December 13th. The 14-inch high jar was described conservatively as Qianlong Mark, Late Qing/Republic Period and given a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-15,000. But bidders who felt the dragon jar was a unique treasure pushed the bidding sky-high. It eventually sold for $7.658 million.

Dessa Goddard, Vice President and Director, Asian Works of Art said, speaking about the sale: "The jar proved to be a puzzle for several clients with whom I spoke who all declared it to be unique. Without a consensus of opinion we felt obliged to be cautious with our attribution. Needless to say, we are elated that the jar achieved such a spectacular price. Its sale provided a fantastic slice of auction drama that our clients and staff will remember for many years to come."

The jar is decorated with bands of plantain leaves, waves, and a cloud-collar at the waisted neck and broad shoulders. The sides are painted with six dragons emerging from crashing waves and flying amid stylized clouds and flames. The sale brought in more than $19 million total.

Just last month an 18th century Chinese porcelain vase from the Qianlong period stunned the world when it sold for £43 million ($69.3 million) at Bainbridges Auctions. The vase was only estimated to sell for £1.2 million but fierce bidding among Chinese would-be buyers drove up the price. The vase sold to a Chinese bidder who turned up to bid on behalf of an undisclosed buyer.

Tags: asian art, bonhams, bonhams and butterfields, Bonhams auction, BonhamsButterfields, dragon jar

Photo Tour: Bonhams & Butterfields' Natural History Auction Preview

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

At Bonhams & Butterfields Natural History auctions it's often the big items like the massive Alledomsmus shown above (estimated at $130,000-$150,000) that attract attention but a lot of the smaller specimens would actually work with people's decor. Many of the items to be auctioned off at Bonhams & Butterfields annual holiday auction of Natural History on December 12, 2010 in Los Angeles are prehistoric pieces that could be quite beautiful on display in modern homes. The collections of arrowheads, sea urchins, shark jaws and coral and even butterflies are both decorative and mounted history.

There is also a selection of fine jewelry including pieces that incorporate dinosaur bone, fossil ammonites and trilobites, carved mammoth ivory and various types of petrified wood. A few highlights of the preview are after the jump.If you see anything you like, bidding starts at 10 a.m.

Tags: bonhams, bonhams and butterfields, Bonhams auction, bonhams butterfields, BonhamsAuction

Continue reading “Photo Tour: Bonhams & Butterfields' Natural History Auction Preview”

Photo Tour: Bonhams & Butterfields Classic California: Collectors' Motorcycles, Motorcars and Related Memorabilia Press Preview

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

I swung by the Bonhams & Butterfields press preview at the Petersen Car Museum in Los Angeles on November 11, camera in hand. The mission: check out the some of the cars and motorcycles that are part of the Classic California: Collectors' Motorcycles, Motorcars and Related Memorabilia auction taking place on November 13. My colleague Jared Paul Stern already mentioned some of the Steve McQueen items up for sale but there are many other items for sale including a wide variety of vintage cars.

Getting a quick polish in the setting California sun was the incredible 1939 Lincoln Zephyr Sedan Delivery Deco Liner which comes with a matching 1991 Harley-Davidson Sportster Deco Scoot. Completed in June 2008, the Deco Liner is a one-off custom 1939 Lincoln Zephyr created by artist Frank Nicholas and Terry Cook of Deco Rides of Long Valley, New Jersey. It is estimated at $110,000 - 150,000. Check out some of the other lovelies after the jump.

Tags: bonhams, Bonhams Butterfields, BonhamsAuction

Continue reading “Photo Tour: Bonhams & Butterfields Classic California: Collectors' Motorcycles, Motorcars and Related Memorabilia Press Preview”

McQueen Motos & Memorabilia in Bonhams California Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

An impressive collection of Steve McQueen memorabilia including two classic Harley Davidson sidecars used in his famed 1963 flick The Great Escape (above) are being offered for sale Bonhams & Butterfields' Classic California Auction on November 13th at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The items come from the collection of McQueen's good friend, racer, stuntman and Triumph dealer Bud Ekins. The Harley sidecars date from 1936 and were used in the movie set during World War II, in which Ekins, acting as McQueen's stunt double, made the famous motorcycle jump over the wire fence.

The Harleys were disguised as German motorcycles and the sidecars were made to appear as Steib sidecars in the film. Later they were repainted for use in Badge of Courage, Steven Spielberg's 1941 and numerous other war films, and are estimated to fetch $6,000 – $8,000. Also included in the sale are a five page handwritten letter from McQueen to Ekins, estimated at $1,000 – $1,500; and assorted McQueen related memorabilia, including press clippings, four books, rare photographs and two copies of Life magazine, estimated at only $300 – $400; plus several vintage Triumphs, Harleys and more from Ekins' amazing collection. Check out the gallery for pix.

Gallery: Steve McQueen at Bonhams & Butterfields

[via JamesList]

Tags: auction, Bonhams, California, celebrity, Harley Davidson, Los Angeles, motorcycle, movies, Steve McQueen, Triumph

Photo Tour: Bonhams & Butterfields Media Preview of Fall Auctions

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Auctions

I headed to the Bonhams & Butterfields Los Angeles location with one mission, see the hat. After all, there are only so many chances in life to see a striking blue hat covered with opals and expected to sell in the six figures. But there was a lot more to see, the preview was actually a three auction media preview with examples of exotic opals, 20th Century design, historic first edition books, maps, manuscripts, and photographs.

One of the most amazing parts of the preview (aside from the hat of course) was the display of a one-of-a-kind Tented Room designed by the late designer Tony Duquette and Hutton Wilkinson. The room was originally assembled for a California home in the late 1990s and reproduced here. According to Jason Stein, Specialist 20th Century Decorative Arts, Bonhams & Butterfields, this is the first time that a complete Duquette/Wilkinson creation of this type has been offered at public auction. The pieces will be sold consecutively during the auction on October 5 at Bonhams & Butterfields. Items of note include four Indian peacock mixed metal chairs inspired by the Peacock Throne of Shiva in Jaipur (estimated at $5,000-$8,000); four octagonal Indian painted wood side tables (estimated at $800-$1200) and eight black painted metal and hubcap sunburst wall decorations being sold in pairs at $3,000 to $5,000 per set. Click through for more highlights from the auction preview.

Tags: bonhams, bonhams and butterfields, Bonhams Butterfields, BonhamsAuction, Tony Duquette

Continue reading “Photo Tour: Bonhams & Butterfields Media Preview of Fall Auctions”

Opal Hat Could Be The Most Valuable Hat Ever Auctioned Off

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Auctions

I've never seen a hat quite like it. The piece above is titled the "Deep Blue Sea" and was created by Australian master milliner Ann Maree Willett and opal miners Vicki and Peter Drackett to showcase opals mined at Australia's famous Lightning Ridge. The hat will be sold at the "Nature of Opals" sale at Bonhams & Butterfields, San Francisco on November 10. The hat is formed from hand-blocked Australian felt, decorated with bright feathers and carrying 26 opals weighing approximately 1,447 carats. The opals were carved into beautiful microsculptures by Daniela L'Abbate and Christine Roussel and placed in sterling silver and 18-karat gold settings by master goldsmith Gerd Gerold Schulz. It is estimated at between $150,000 and $200,000 which would place it among the most expensive hats ever sold at auction. The world's most expensive hat is the Chapeau d'Amour-the "hat of love"-created by designer Louis Mariette. It is made of woven platinum and covered in diamonds and has a value of $2.7 million.

The sale also includes a wide variety of the types of opals available from brown boulder opals shot through with blue flashes, to orangy fire opals and plenty of white opals showing bright rainbow fire. Many lots are intricately carved and some are opalized fossils of flora and fauna. Before the November 10 auction, Bonhams & Butterfields will hold highlight presentations in Los Angeles October 1-3 and New York October 16-18, followed by a full preview in San Francisco from November 6-9.

[via National Jeweler]

Tags: bonhams, bonhams and butterfields, Bonhams auction, Bonhams Butterfields, BonhamsButterfields, hat, milliner, millinery, opal, opals

Rare 1790 Census Up For Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

This year's census was a massive undertaking but things were a little simpler at the time of the first census back in 1790. A rare copy of the 1790 census conducted under the direction of Thomas Jefferson will highlight the bi-coastal Bonhams Fine Books and Manuscripts Auction on October 4. Simulcast to New York, the Los Angeles based sale is comprised of fine and rare first-edition books, maps, manuscripts, and ephemera.

The census being sold is one of the rare copies signed by Jefferson on the final page. It has been handed down through the family of Gideon Granger, Postmaster General during Jefferson's administration, and is believed to be his copy. It is annotated with all sorts of calculations. This rare piece of American history is estimated to sell for $80,000 to $120,000.

The sale also includes historical photographs and maps and atlases including John Melish's Map of the United States with the Contiguous British and Spanish Possessions (1816) which is estimated at $50,000 to $70,000. Other items include a signed 1922, first edition, first printing of F. Scott Fitzgerald's second novel, The Beautiful and Damned; an original 4-panel daily strip of Charles Schulz's Peanuts and a single page printed and typed report detailing a blood test taken from Mohandas Gandhi ten days before his assassination, indicating that, although he is generally healthy, his white blood cell count is high. A New York preview is scheduled for September 23-25 and the Los Angeles preview will be held October 1-3.

Tags: bonhams, census, documents, historic, historic documents, historical, history, thomas jefferson