Spyros Louis, a one-time Greek water carrier, won the first modern running of the Olympic marathon 116 years ago. 17 runners started that race, 10 finished, but one was later disqualified when it was discovered he rode part of the way in a carriage. Louis was presented with a richly embellished silver cup now consigned by his family to Christie’s for its Olympic posters and icons sale next month in London.Standing only 6-inches tall, the cup is diminutive by today’s trophy standards, but it’s the first awarded, comes with unquestioned provenance, and a high estimate of $250,000. Also by today’s standards, Louis’ time of just under 3-hours is unimpressive but the race was patterned after the famous 490 B.C. feat of a Greek soldier who ran from Marathon to Athens to announce a Greek victory over the Persians, and then dropped dead.
$250,000 Expected For Olympic Marathon Cup
March 21, 2012
James Bond Barn Find: $90K ‘Thunderball’ Watch
May 22, 2013The latest dramatic barn find involves a Breitling Top Time, the very watch Sean Connery wore in “Thunderball.” Several years ago a collector snapped it up at a yard sale for less than $40. Suspecting a higher value, the anonymous buyer took it to an expert for evaluation. The savvy collector wasn’t wrong: when the watch appears at a Christie’s auction next month in London, it’s expected to sell for as much as $90,000.
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“Harry Legacy” Sells For $26.m
May 17, 2013Money has been flooding into the rapidly rising diamond market in recent months, as collectors seek remunerative parking spots for their investment dollars. The latest example is the $26.7m that jeweler Harry Winston paid this week at a Christie’s auction in Geneva for a flawless 101.73-carat “colorless” diamond. The price was a new high for a diamond of this type, exceeding the last auction price record by more than $10m.
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Bizarre Topless Photo of Jolie, $45,500
May 16, 2013A bizarre topless photo of Angelina Jolie called “Horseplay” sold at Christie’s London auction last night for $45,500. The “Wild Side of Photography” sale was scheduled well before Jolie’s double mastectomy announcement. Taken when she was 25, the photo also prominently displays a “Billy Bob” tattoo, referring to former husband Thornton who has since been removed from her shoulder and her life.
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Rising Value of Unrestored Cars
By Malcolm Welford, Vintage Car Specialist
