Tajan, “Arts d’Orient” – May 24, 2011
Khamse de Nizami turkmène daté 1498-1500
Price Realized: €22,314 (USD $32,027)
Considered the greatest epic romantic poet in Persian literature, Nizami Ganje’i brought a realistic, colloquial style to the Persian epic this is still widely appreciated throughout the Middle East. Nezami was a master of the Masnavi or double rhymed verse style of poetry, which he used for five long narrative poems known as the Khamsa. In later centuries the Khamsa became a popular subject for the lavishly illustrated manuscripts commissioned by the Persian and Mughal courts. One of the stars lots of Tajan's “Arts d’Orient” auction was a late 15th century copy of the Khamsa complete with five illuminated frontispieces and seventy-six illuminated miniatures. Estimated at €3,000 to €4,000, the manuscript sold online for €22,314 (including buyer’s premium) – making it the top selling lot of Tajan's May 24th sale.

WestLicht, “19th Camera & Photographica Auction” – May 28, 2011
Leica M2 Grey
Price Realized: €120,000 (USD $172,236)
In 1960 twenty M2 grey painted cameras were delivered to the US Air Force in Germany. Today only ten are believed to still exist. Camera no.1105767, which was sold during WestLicht's May 28th sale, marks the first public auction of an M2 grey. This rare and coveted camera was listed in 100% original and working condition and came complete with a matching close-focus Summicron 2/50mm lens. Thanks to the efforts of one determined online bidder, the M2 grey sold for €120,000 (including buyer’s premium).

Northeast Auctions, “May Estates Auction: Session II” – May 29, 2011
Victorian Silver Fox Mask Stirrup Cup
Price Realized: $8,850
Stirrup cups or “parting cups” were traditional drinks offered to guests mounted on horseback before they departed for the hunt. By the mid-18th century, stirrup cups in the shape of fox and hound heads were being made in hand-chased silver or pewter. An integral part of the traditional fox hunt, one such cup was offered by Northeast Auctions during their May 29th auction. Dating to 1864-1865, the cup bears the mark of Charles Thomas Fox (1801-1872) and George Fox (1816-1910) – a father and son pair of London silversmiths active in the 1850s and 1860s. Thanks to the strength of Artfact's online bidding community, the cup sold online for $8,850 (including buyer’s premium) – well above its pre-auction estimate.

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Editor's Notes:
- Additional background information available.
- Interviews with Doug Ellinger, VP Marketing, dellinger@artfact.com, (617) 746-9882
- Complimentary media subscriptions to the Artfact database available upon request.