RR Auction is holding
quite an impressive lot sale this month and collectors should certainly check
it out! The auction includes Prince memorabilia and personally owned items,
most of them unique and highly valuable. It’s no secret that Prince is an icon when it comes not only to music,
but to pop culture as well. This is exactly why this event is expected to be a
massive success. Bidding on the featured items concludes on February 15.
One of the most
impressive items included in this collection is a piano owned by Prince, which
he regularly used to play. The purple upright piano was initially picked up by
the touring crew of Earth, Wind and Fire somewhere around 1978. After that, the
item was delivered to Los Angeles, where Prince lived at the time. This is said
to be his favorite piano to play because he loved the distinctive ring – like
sound it made when he played it. Although he had plenty of pianos to play at,
this was by far his favorite and he would often even wake up in the middle of
the night to play. The piano was painted pink in early 1990s, about the
same time that Prince opened the “Glam Slam” club. However, this exquisite
musical instrument was afterwards painted purple to match a new décor. The item
is estimated at over $50,000. The main reason it is so valuable, apart from the
fact that it was Prince’s favorite piano, is the fact that it was the first
instrument he ever learned how to play and the artist was quite an accomplished
pianist.
Keeping it purple, RR
Auction also put up for auction a pair of personally owned and worn high heel shoes that were custom made for Prince. This item is
also estimated at $50,000 and it features black leather interior and purple
satin exterior. They have zippers on the sides, which are decorated with love
symbol charms. On top of that, the black insoles are stamped “the City Cobbler,
Handmade Shoes”. These shoes were clearly worn quite often by the artist as
they have been re-soled and they additionally have reinforcement brackets
attached between the sole and heel. The item comes with a letter of
authentication from Jeff Gold, the owner of Recordmecca, who had the chance to
work closely with the artist. In part, the letter reads: "This letter is to authenticate a
pair of custom made purple fabric high heel shoes owned and worn onstage and
during photo shoots by Prince. Numerous photographs show Prince wearing
identical shoes on stage, and these shoes exhibit wear consistent with Prince’s
exuberant stage performances…These shoes were acquired via a former Paisley
Park employee."
Collectors
and fans all over the world should not miss the chance to browse the items
available in this auction. Prince is definitely an icon and he should be
celebrated as one. Additional information can be found on RR Auction’s website and on their social media.
RR Auction is
holding quite a rare event this month: a French enlightenment auction which
includes remarkable items that are not only unique, but a treat for any
collector, especially for those who are passionate about this period. Online
bidding has already started and interested parties should take advantage of the
small window they have to get hold of one of the amazing items that are
featured in the auction.
The lot basically includes three items (three documents, to be more
exact) that carry the signatures of three key figures of the time. One of these
items is a letter signed by Voltaire and sent to Francois – Louis Defresney,
who at the tome was Director of the post in Strasbourg. The 7 X 9 inches
document is not dated, but it is believed to have been written around 1753 or
1754. The one page letter is in French and it is signed “V”. In part, it reads: “My dear and lovely child, some people tell
me that I will have the pleasure to meet you in Colmar. You will comfort, just
like in Strasbourg, a poor ill man and if friendship can heal, you will be my
doctor. The Knight of Klinglin and I are the most desperate ill men in the
whole province. I am very thankful to you for your kind attention towards my
lost luggage. It was coming from Leipzig. I do not know who brought the case at
my house. He was probably also in charge of my luggage from Leipzig. I am sure
that this will be under your control. I am also expecting a trunk from Paris
that has been sent to you by carters. All my consolations come from you.
Thousands of tender respects to your mother and to your friends.” The document
is in fine condition and it was estimated at over $6,000.
Another breathtaking item in this collection is yet another letter
written and signed by Jean – Jacques Rousseau. The one page, 6.5 X 8.5 inches document is dated on January 31, 1762 and it is signed
“J. J. Rousseau” at the bottom. It is addressed to the French bookseller
Duchesne and it concerns Rousseau’s work “Emile, or On Education”. This letter
is in French as well and, in part, reads: “I am worried by the way Mr. Neaulme [printer in Amsterdam] prints my
book and I am requesting some pages to him by the post. He answers me that I
have to ask your authorization. So I am asking you. Greetings from the bottom
of my heart.” The item is in great condition and it was estimated at over
$10,000.
Anyone interested in these
collectibles or in any other items that RR Auction has to offer,
should visit their website or keep up with the constant updates they provide on
social media!
RR Auction is known
for being able to bring in some of the rarest and most desirable collectibles,
especially when it comes to the movie or entertainment industry. This moth they
are actually holding a fine autographs and artifacts auction that includes classic entertainment
items that any collector would be thrilled to have. This collection includes
rare photographs, autographs and even official documents that carry important
signatures.
A Vivien Leigh photo as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the wind
is estimated at over $2,500. The vintage glassy photo that measures 8.25 X 10
inches is signed in purple ink. It is an incredibly rare portrait of the famous
actress in her most iconic role. On top of that, the picture is in fine
condition, with just some scattered creasing.
Another quite rare
item included in this auction is a Humphrey Bogart portrait. The photo measures 11 X 14 inches
and it depicts Bogart in a pin – stripe suit. The size of the picture makes it
quite scarce and highly valuable, as it was too estimated at over $2,500. The
portrait is inscribed in black fountain pen, which reads: “To Jack Perry, Good
luck Jack, Humphrey Bogart.” This item is in very good condition and has some
professional repairs to creases and tears. The writing is a few shades light,
but professionally backed.
Apart from these
exquisite items, the lot also includes a Grace Kelly portrait which was estimated at over $1,000.
This 8 X 10 inches vintage glossy portrait depicts Kelly in a head and
shoulders pose and is in fine condition, apart from a few light creases and a
light paperclip mark on the top edge. Grace Kelly wears a floral patterned
dress and cardigan in the photo, which is also inscribed. The inscription reads
“To Helen, Fondly, Grace Kelly.” It is quite a remarkable item, especially
since it is in such great condition.
Other similar
collectibles can be browsed in RR Auction’s
online catalogue or on their website. The Boston based auction house also
regularly updates their social media with useful information regarding upcoming
events and details on their most important items.
