02.10.2024
In This Issue
🃏 Sotheby’s Auctions $7M in Collectible Cards
🪄 Maggie Smith’s Legacy Lives On in Collectibles
🏢 Christie’s Launches New Hong Kong Headquarters With Mixed Results
🧮 Chrono24 Introduces Dynamic Pricing Model
🥃 Glenlivet Unveils $55,000 55-Year-Old Scotch Whisky
Sotheby’s Auctions $7M in Collectible Cards: Sotheby’s recently held its first card auction in partnership with Michael Rubin’s Fanatics, raising $7 million in a deconsecrated Harlem church. Billionaire Patriots owner Robert Kraft bid $120,000 for a Tom Brady rookie card, contributing to a total of $813,600 for four Brady cards. The ‘Holy Grails’ event featured a baseball diamond-themed auction floor and attendees like Logan Paul and Meek Mill. Highlights included a 2018 Topps Shohei Ohtani card selling for $336,000 and a rare 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie card fetching $840,000, alongside cards of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Pokémon collectibles.
Maggie Smith’s Legacy Lives On in Collectibles: Legendary actress Maggie Smith, known for her role as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series, has passed away at 89. A two-time Oscar winner, she also starred in ‘Downton Abbey’ and won acclaim for films like ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’. Smith’s collectibles, including her autographed cards from the 2006 Artbox Harry Potter set, remain in demand. Recently, one of her signed cards sold for $2,196 at Goldin. As her legacy continues, collectors are reminded to verify autographs with proper authentication, ensuring that Smith’s impact on film and memorabilia endures.
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Christie’s Launches New Hong Kong Headquarters With Mixed Results: Christie’s new Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong debuted with an evening sale that raised over HK$1 billion (about $134 million). The event featured works by Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh, both setting auction records for Christie’s in Asia, though their sale prices fell below estimates.
Buyers, especially from China, showed increased caution amid economic uncertainties. However, several pieces, like Ronald Ventura’s State of Bloom, sold for record prices. Despite the mixed results, 93% of lots sold, showcasing resilience in the market as Christie’s expands its year-round operations in the region.
Glenlivet Unveils $55,000 55-Year-Old Scotch Whisky: The Glenlivet has launched its oldest whisky yet – a 55-year-old single malt priced at €50,000 ($55,788) to celebrate its bicentennial. Aged in a seasoned sherry cask, each of the 100 bottles is presented in a decanter sculpted by Michael Hansmeyer, made from jesmonite and plated with rose gold, inspired by the River Livet.
Cask Master Kevin Balmforth described the release as a significant milestone for whisky connoisseurs, showcasing the distillery’s commitment to excellence and innovation. The whisky boasts complex flavours, including autumn fruits, Seville oranges and spices.
👎 & 👍 Chrono24 Introduces Dynamic Pricing Model: Chrono24, the world’s largest luxury watch marketplace, is launching a dynamic pricing model from the 1st of October to streamline fees for its 43,000 dealers. This ‘surge pricing’ will increase fees for in-demand watches while lowering them for less popular pieces. The changes aim to enhance profitability by encouraging dealers to focus on fast-selling inventory and closing loopholes in package deals. While some sellers may face higher costs, those in the ‘Light’ and ‘Pro’ categories will benefit from reduced transaction fees. Overall, Chrono24’s adjustments seems to aim at reinforcing its position as the premier destination for luxury watch sales.
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