Is Christie's going "E-bay"?

Christie's is opening up to client lambda. No need to be in the know on auction house etiquette. Not only this but really, how many of us have seen sales catalogues and dreamt of attending a particular auction? Now we can comfortably participate from the privacy of our home (or offices).

Since mid July 2006 Christie's has opened a new era in auctioning. Online bidders to their mice!!! Watch and hear the auction online. Bid if the price is right.

I can't imagine that bidding for an NK€ painting whilst chewing on pizza, in your track pants behind the screen translates "glamour" (or if that watch you have had your eyes on for aaages seems that attractive through lcd).
The good news is that you can scratch your nose freely without being mistaken for a bidder.

RdV online on the 5th of december (remember that "little black dress on sale"?)

Christie's

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Collector Cars

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster Price: $3.6 million ($4 million adjusted for inflation)
Date of Sale: Jan. 18, 2002
15th most expensive car at auction (and my personal favourite).

Although this entry isn't exactly "news from paris" It made me think about this apparent market. Very exclusive. One often hears about paintings beeing sold for record prices, or even dresses (see previous entry). Cars very rarely get publicised. Too technical? Not more so than rare watches or fine wine.... If you can help me understand this problem please let me know.

FYI: Most expensive car at auction

Bugatti Royale - 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe Price: $8.7 million ($17.6 million adjusted for inflation) Date of Sale: Nov. 17, 1987

Forbes Life

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Little black dress on sale

La légendaire robe noire portée par Audrey Hepburn dans le film Diamants sur canapé", comédie de Blake Edwards, sortie en 1961, sera vendue aux enchères chez Christie’s à Londres, le 5 décembre prochain. Les bénéfices seront reversés à l’organisation caritative "Cité de la Joie", qui s’occupe d’enfants lépreux de Calcutta. Cette association, fondée par l’écrivain français Dominique Lapierre et sa femme, avait reçu la robe des mains d’Hubert de Givenchy. La valeur de cette pièce est estimée entre 50 000 et 70 000 livres sterling (entre 73,150 et 102,459 euros).

(this info from abc-luxe.com )

see also : Audrey Hepburn

On a very personal note, would love to know who will acquire this iconoclastic piece ( perhaps I could borrow it for an evening)

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