A silver wine cooler George Washington gave to his close political ally Alexander Hamilton sold for nearly $800,000 today at a Christie’s Americana auction in New York. Washington commissioned the Sheffield-plated cooler designed to hold four bottles with orders that in keeping with the new country it was not to be “extravagant.” It is simply decorated with a lion’s mask and ring handles.More majestic than showy, the cooler was consigned by direct descendants of Hamilton and had been in the family until today. High estimate was $600,000. Since Washington was the first president, there were no “presidential” objects until he set up the first quarters. Correspondence from that period reported he chose the first furnishings very carefully. The buyer was not identified.
Washington Wine Cooler Sells For $800,000
January 19, 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
