Christie's news stories on Newser

Cezanne Under Wraps Since 1953 Could Fetch $20M

Kate Schwartz — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:39:05 CDT

A Metropolitan Museum of Art catalog in 2011 listed a 19th-century watercolor Paul Cezanne made as a study for his Card Players series as "whereabouts unknown." No more: The work, which Reuters describes as "rare" and "pristine," was discovered by Christie's as it worked with the estate of Dr. Heniz...

Liz Taylor's Wardrobe, Warhol Fetch Huge $2.6M

Rob Quinn — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:17:00 CST

The record-breaking auction of Elizabeth Taylor's gems was followed by the record-breaking sale of part of her wardrobe, in bidding that proved to be just as fierce and racked up a staggering $2.6 million. All 67 lots, including designer gowns, feathery capes, and the wedding dress she wore for...

Liz Taylor Gem Sale Smashes Records

Rob Quinn — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:18:06 CST

The sale of Elizabeth Taylor's legendary gem collection shattered records—and estimates—at Christie's in New York last night. Amid competition so fierce that bids sometimes jumped by a million dollars, the $116 million sale of the late star's gems broke the world record for a private collection of jewels...

John Lennon Peace Sign Sells for $154K

John Johnson — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:21:07 CST

A placard that got prominent play during a "bed-in" peace protest by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1969 has fetched the handsome price of $154,000, reports Bloomberg . The sign reading "Bed Peace" was on the window behind the couple as they staged their weeklong protest in Montreal's Queen...

Lichtenstein Painting Fetches $43M

John Johnson — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:12:10 CST

If you've got millions to spare, may as well put it on the wall rather than in the markets: A 1961 Roy Lichtenstein painting ( I Can See the Whole Room! ... and There's Nobody in It! ) sold for $43.2 million at Christie's, reports Bloomberg . It's a record price...

At Yard Sale: McCartney Letter Seeking New Beatle

Matt Cantor — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:32:16 CDT

Looks like the stars were aligned for Ringo. A 1960 letter written by Paul McCartney sought a drummer for the Beatles two years before Starr joined the Fab Four. The note was discovered folded into a book at a Liverpool yard sale, the AP reports. It was a response to...

For Sale: Crystal's Ring From Hef

Evann Gastaldo — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:37:05 CDT

Apparently Crystal Harris didn’t return her engagement ring to Hugh Hefner when she called off their engagement . But that’s good news for you, if you have between $20,000 and $30,000, because now it’s for sale at Christie’s auction house. Sources tell TMZ Harris simply “couldn't bear to look...

Liz Taylor Collection Headed to Exhibit

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:42:18 CDT

Elizabeth Taylor's collection of jewelry, art, designer clothing, and other memorabilia will go on an international three-month tour before it is sold in New York in December, Christie's auction house announced today. The tour will begin in September and include stops in Moscow, London, Dubai, Geneva, Paris, Hong Kong, and...

Warhol Self-Portrait Fetches Record $38.4M

Rob Quinn — Thu, 12 May 2011 02:12:45 CDT

A private European collector walked off with Andy Warhol's very first self-portrait after a 16-minute bidding war at Christie's Wednesday night. The 1963-64 work sold for $38.44 million after two competing bidders kept raising their price in increments of $100,000, causing Christie’s auctioneer to call it the “longest...