Filed under: Wine, Auctions

The turning of the millennium was a great year for wine and Christie’s hopes to cash in on the taste for Bordeaux when a major collection of 2000 Bordeaux is auctioned at Christie’s London on September 15 and 18. Decanter reports that more than 3000 cases from some 70 chateaux will be auctioned up for auction. The wine belongs to a European collector and has been kept in bond since it was shipped from the chateaux. The range estimates for the auction as a whole are from £1.27 million to £1.6 million with high prices expected for the cases of Lafite, Latour, Mouton and Haut-Brion.

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Filed under: Auctions, Real Estate Developments

Get ready for another Florida condo auction. On September 6th, Bella Sol in Apollo Beach, Florida will auction off 23 condo units, five at absolute auction to the highest bidders. Bella Sol’s private marina on Tampa Bay with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico will also sell 12 new boat slips with four selling absolute to the highest bidders. The auction will be held by J.P. King Auction Company onsite.

Bella Sol condominiums have six different floor plans with two, three and four bedroom villas including two-level penthouse units. Amenities include tiled exterior patios, porches and walkways, hurricane resistant windows and patio doors, granite countertops, stainless appliances, master bath with garden tub, two-car garage, and elevators in each building. The building also includes a pool or spa.

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Filed under: Wheels, Auctions

A rare 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante Coupe sold for $7.92 million at Gooding & Co.’s auto auction (that we recently reported on) during the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California over the weekend - the highest price ever paid for an automobile at auction in the U.S.A. The car was part of the Dr. Peter and Susan Williamson Collection, billed as the world’s finest assemblage of Bugattis, several of which fetched high prices at the sale. The next highest price at the Gooding & Co. event was a 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Berlinetta Le Mans, which fetched $2.2 million. Meanwhile, at RM Auctions’ similar sale during the classic car event, which we told you about earlier this month, a 1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB Berlinetta brought in an impressive $4.5 million.

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Filed under: Wheels, Auctions

A legendary prototype sportscar that helped shaped the future of Jaguar was auctioned off at Bonhams & Butterfields’ Quail Lodge Sale in California on Friday for just under $5 million, setting a new world record. Bids for the 1960 E2A (above), often called the “missing link” between the marque’s classic D-Type and E-Type models, had been expected to reach up to $7 million in what has lately been a heated market for multimillion dollar automotive classics.

Raced by some of the world’s top drivers at Le Mans and elsewhere, the beautiful car had an historic win in August of 1960 at Bridgehampton, NY, beating out a Maserati Birdcage. James Knight, International Head of Bonhams’ motoring department, called the E2A “one of the most charismatic and significant prototypes ever produced anywhere.” And $5 million - now the highest price ever paid for a Jaguar at auction - isn’t too shabby.

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Filed under: Auctions, Charity

On September 12th you’ll have your chance to bid on celebrity shoes and help stamp out lung cancer through the Roy Castle Centre’s event, De-Feet Lung Cancer Campaign. Fancy a pair from Dame Judi Dench or feel like walking a mile in Harry Potter’s shoes? Even Spice Girl Melanie C will have shoes on the auction block. Unfortunately it seems you can’t view the shoes before the 12th but when the site goes live get on and put your bid in for a great cause across the pond.

[via Ecorazzi]

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Filed under: Wheels, Auctions

This weekend, Gooding & Company is staging a multimillion dollar auto auction during the 58th annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Carmel, CA. Among the stunning cars on offer is the world’s finest collection of Bugattis, including a 1937 Type 57SC Atalante Coupe, which is expected to fetch over $4 million. Another star attraction is a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider, originally owned by H.R.H. Prince Vittorio Emanuele de Savoia, the last prince of Italy. Both that car and the beautiful model pictured above, a rare 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC, are expected to fetch in excess of $3 million. Also on offer is Steve McQueen’s 1976 Porsche 930 Turbo Carrera, the actor’s personal car for several years, a relative steal with an est. of only $125,000 - $175,000.

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Filed under: Wine, Auctions

In November, London-based auction house Christie’s will hold their first wine auction in Asia since 2001, featuring a landmark collection of 140 years worth of Latour sourced directly from the Château cellars.

The first Château-sourced collection of the fabled Bordeaux ever to be sold in Asia will go on the block Nov. 29 in Hong Kong; the 150 Latour lots, including magnums and large format bottles from a wide range of vintages dating from 1865 - 2005, are expected to fetch over $1.5 million total.

One of the top prizes is a 1900 magnum estimated at $18,000 - $24,000. Christie’s already has a strong showing in Hong Kong with art and antique auctions bringing in over $300 million in Spring 2008, the highest total ever achieved for an Asian season.

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Filed under: Cigars, Auctions

The Arturo Fuente and J.C. Newman families are auctioning off dozens of highly prized cigars to raise money for their foundation, the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which donates proceeds to impoverished children living in the Dominican Republic, where the lauded cigars are produced. The foundation has already raised over $3 million for needy kids.

The auction will go on for another several days, though cigar connoisseurs are already in a bidding war over a selection of OpusX cigars from Carlos Fuente Jr.’s personal collection. With three days left before this particular auction’s end, 37 eager bidders have notched the price to $6,500.

[via Cigar Aficionado]

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Filed under: Auctions

A giant bunch of Japanese grapes recently sold for almost $1000 at an auction in Ishikawa. The Ruby Roman variety, developed by the Ishikawa Prefecture Agricultural Research Center, was sold to an upscale hotel owner on Monday. The single bunch, consisting of 30 grapes each slightly smaller than a ping-pong ball, were described as “delicious: sweet but fresh at the same time, very well balanced,” by Agricultural official Hirofumi Isu. At that price they better be!

[Thanks, Laurel]

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Filed under: Auctions, Charity

Starting this Friday, August 15th at 10am, eBay will be hosting the Sightsavers Auction ‘Specs Appeal’ supported by such celebrities as Ewan McGregor, Michael Caine and BBC’s Kate Silverton. Over twenty celebs are donating their specs to help alleviate blindness and ensure the preservation of sight for millions around the world particularly in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. You can pick up a famous pair online yourself between August 15th and August 24th with prices starting at just £15 — the equivalent of ten pairs in the developing world. Glasses are a fantastic accessory and you can make a statement with starlike panache and charitable spirit.

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Filed under: Estates, Auctions, Real Estate Developments

In 2002, the self-described eccentric Lord of Warleigh advertised for a lady of the manor, and he received over 2000 replies. Now suffering from late-stage prostate cancer, Lord David Piper has now put his manor and title in addition to a “gentleman’s residence” with English Channel views and a 42-foot sitting room, a 140-piece contemporary art collection and a pair of Bentleys up for sale on eBay.

Mr. Piper will be moving to London for treatment and apparently needs an influx of cash, claiming he is “impoverished” and “owes a lot of money.” Bids are up to almost 10 million pounds sterling (just shy of $20 million), though the property is valued between 5 and 6 million pounds. Best of luck to the Lord of Warleigh regarding his estate and his health.

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Filed under: Auctions, Charity

In commemoration of their final appearance together (scheduled for August 7th at Madison Square Garden) auctions started this week on eBay for a complete set of Police instruments autographed by the band. The set includes 4 instruments that are each available for bidding separately and include Sting’s Signature Bass, Sting’s Sennheiser Microphone and Stand, Andy’s Signature Fender Telecaster, and Stewart’s Tama Star Drum Set.

100% of the proceeds will go to benefit Public Television Rocks! in honor of their dedication to art, music, and culture.

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Filed under: Wheels, Auctions

On Aug. 15th and 16th RM Auctions is staging its 23rd annual Sports & Classics sale during the famed Monterey Auto Week in California, featuring 15 milestone Ferraris and more. In May, RM set a new world record for the most expensive car ever sold in auction history: $11 million for a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder formerly owned by actor James Coburn. Starring in the Monterey sale is a very similar car, a 1961 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, which is estimated at $3.7 million - $4.2 million but could well go for much more (the Coburn car sold for nearly double its estimate).

Also on offer: a 1962 400 Superamerica Coupe Aerodinamica, est. $1.5 million - $2 million, one of only 17 made; a 1967 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta, est. $1.6 million - $1.8 million; a 1973 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider, est. $1.4 million - $1.6 million, one of the last examples ever produced; a 1965 Ferrari GTB/6C Berlinetta, est. $800,000 - $1 million, pictured above; and a 1964 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta finished in green, est. $700,000 - $800,000.

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Filed under: Auctions, Real Estate Developments

Last week , I mentioned a condo auction in Anaheim, California now here comes another Southern California auction. On August 24 at the Hilton Long Beach, 39 condos at West Ocean Two ill be auctioned by Citi Property Investors as part of the tower’s grand opening. The condos on Ocean Boulevard in downtown Long Beach are located in a high-rise that includes a large lobby, concierge service, exercise studio, swimming pool, media/club room, wine storage room, game room, guest suite, outdoor entertaining area and more. The starting bid for nine one-bedroom residences will be $275,000, the 25 two-bedrooms will have a $350,000 starting bid, and five three-bedrooms will start at $795,000. As Curbed LA reveals, condo documentation for the auction says that the one bedrooms were previously listed at $534,000 which seem fairly inflated.

[via Long Beach Press-Telegram]

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Filed under: Wheels, Auctions, Celebrity Shopping, Charity

I had no idea that Oprah Winfrey had a car collection but she does and she’s auctioning off three vehicles from her private collection: a red 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing formerly owned by the DuPont family, a 1988 Rolls-Royce Corniche II Convertible given to her by John Travolta and a 1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante to benefit her school in Africa. The action will be held by by Gooding & Company and will take place at Pebble Beach on Saturday, August 16th and Sunday, August 17th. The auction catalogs are available for $100, which includes viewing and auction admission for two, while general admission is set at a price of $40 per person.

The 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is estimated to sell for $600,000-800,000, the 1988 Rolls-Royce Corniche II Convertible is estimated at $70,000-100,000 and the 1997 Aston Martin DB7 Volante is estimated at $50,000-65,000. Of course, because of the celebrity provenance, it is Oprah after all, these cars could sell for more. The vehicles will be on display August 13th through August 17th. The cars will be sold without reserve and 100% of the proceeds go to her school in South Africa.

The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls - South Africa, is located in a suburb outside Johannesburg and provides education for girls. It opened in January 2007 and offers a private learning and residential environment for approximately 450 girls in grades 7-12, Oprah has already donated more than $40 million toward the creation of the Academy.

[Thanks, Ashley]

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Filed under: Journeys, Auctions, Charity

We’ve seen the rise of “voluntourism” and eco-tourism of the luxe variety (think private bugalow in Figi, not hippie yurt). But giving back and luxury travel have rarely been an oft-cited pair. Until, that is, CharityFolks.com came on the scene, crafting unique travel plans including exclusive meet-and-greets like an evening with the cast of The Sopranos, then sending along the proceeds to charity. Each trip functions as an auction, so you’ll need to get your virtual paddle up if you want to claim jaunts like a weekend at the Newport Jazz Festival, or luxe accommodations at Vail. The site hosts more traditional charity auctions as well, which have been written about here in the past, but if you planned to stay at the Four Seasons whilst touring Provence anyway, why not do it through an organization that will then donate on your behalf to UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center?

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Filed under: Auctions, Shoes, Charity, Children

Nineteen to-covet designers including Oscar de la Renta, Manolo Blahnik, Alberta Ferretti and Christian Louboutin are teaming up with Warner Brothers and Swarovski to reinvent Dorothy’s ruby slippers to commemorate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. This time, we’re not in Kansas anymore. Based on some of the designer sketches we’ve seen, we’re talking Swarovski-fied, ruby red protect-me-from-the-evil-witch stilettos. Basically what sweet little Anne Hathaway could have used in The Devil Wears Prada.

Each designer will craft a mere two pairs, and the shoes will make their debut September 4 during New York Fashion Week in early September, posing in Saks Fifth Avenue’s window before moving on to Miami’s Art Basel and further appearances throughout 2009. The iconic slippers will then be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Filed under: Wheels, Auctions

On August 2nd, RM Auctions will sell of a stunning selection of classic cars, including a coveted Mercedes-Benz Gullwing (above), at the annual Meadow Brook Concours d’Élegance in Michigan. The event takes place at Meadow Brook Hall, the historic 110-room Tudor Revival mansion built in the 1920s by auto heiress Matilda Dodge Wilson. In May, RM set a world record by selling the 1961 Ferrari formerly owned by James Coburn which we wrote about for $11 million.

The Mercedes, a beautiful black 1956 300SL, is estimated at $575,000 - $675,000. We prefer it to the other, slightly more expensive Mercedes on offer, a 1936 500K three-position drophead coupe by Corsica, est. $600,000 - $750,000. Also included in the stunning sale: a 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Coupe, est. $475,000 - $575,000; a 1930 Isotta-Fraschini 8A Convertible Sedan by Castagna, similar to the one featured in Sunset Boulevard, est. $400,000 - $600,000; and a 1954 Jaguar XK 120SE Roadster, est. $80,000 - $110,000. See the gallery for more.

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Filed under: Auctions, Charity

The price of magazines is going up all the time but this is really excessive, now there will be a gold and diamond cover of a women’s magazine. A gold and diamond covered version of of the style magazine, Kohl, will be auctioned for charity in October and is expected to bring in more than than $10,000. ITP Lifestyle, the publisher of style magazine Kohl, partnered with Emirates-based jeweler Damas to create the unique cover which features 622 diamonds. The magazine will be auctioned to raise money for the Rashid Pediatric Therapy Center in Dubai. The gilded front cover features Indian actress Katrina Kaif and it took the craftsmen more than 86 hours to hand-apply layers of gold leaf to a specially-treated edition of the original magazine.

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Filed under: Wheels, Auctions

On July 26, London auction house Bonhams is staging a sale of Porsche and Lotus motorcars at the Silverstone Classic, one of the UK’s premiere motor sport events. Unlike some auctions, the Silverstone sale skews to the more affordable side, without any million-dollar motorcars. In fact, most lots are priced below $100,000, yet there are several beautiful examples of highly collectible classics and contemporaries from the two famous marques.

For instance, the gorgeous 1959 Porsche 356B coupe pictured here, which is estimated at only $36,000 - $40,000 and is in impeccable condition. Also on offer: a legendary 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS touring coupé, est. $220,000 - $260,000; a 1972 Porsche 911 3.0-litre rally car, est. $80,000 - $100,000; a 2007 Lotus Exige Cup 255 coupé, est. $90,000 - $110,000; a 1967 Porsche 911 2-litre coupe, est. $64,000 - $72,000; and a 1973/2006 Lotus Elan +2 Spyder Zetec coupe, est. $40,000 - $50,000. See the gallery for pix.

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