Bidding for The Collection of Anthony Bourdain closed on October 30 with outstanding results. Presented by Lark Mason Associates on the iGavelauctions.com website, the results matched the enthusiastic interest in the sale from 3,000 bidders. All of the 202 lots were sold for amounts significantly higher than their estimates, realizing a total of $1,846,575 including buyers premium.  A record price of $231,250 was achieved for Bourdain’s Bob Kramer Steel and Meteorite Chef’s knife and his U.S. Navy Jacket from the U.S.S Nashville with a Tony Bourdain patch which fetched $171,150. 

The sale included a range of items from books and personal mementos to carefully chosen works of art, as well as cultural artifacts, which he accumulated during his travels. Many of these items had special significance to Bourdain, either as gifts from friends or special purchases associated with memorable experiences from his writing or television appearances. 

“The overwhelming strong results were just what we hoped it would be,” says Lark Mason, Jr., owner of Lark Mason Associates and iGavelauctions.com. “Anthony Bourdain connected with many, many people and he was beloved and an intensely original person who lived life fully.  The numerous bidders wanted something to remember him by and to promote the Anthony Bourdain Legacy Scholarship at The Culinary Institute of America. We are honored to be contributors to this process through this auction.” 

In addition to the chef’s knife and Navy bomber jacket, the other top lots include:

*A French Silvered Bronze Bibendum or Michelin Man Sculpture, $61,250

*Ralph Steadman, Rats in the Kitchen, Artist’s Proof inscribed to Anthony Bourdain, $52,500

*A Rolex Mens Oyster Pepetual Date Blue Dial and Stainless Steel Watch, $48,750

*A Chrome Duck Press from the Paris Episode of The Layover $35,000

*A Panerai Radiomir Wristwatch, $33,750

*A Peter Lovig Nielsen Teak Flip Top Desk, Denmark, 20th Century, $30,000

*Bronze Skulll and Antler Sculpture, Marco Pierre White, $26,250

*Patek Philippe Calatrava Isochronism Glass Back 18k Gold Watch, $26,250

*Brad Phillips. Eat, Pray, F*ck)Watercolor on Paper, $23,125

*A Tag Heuer Monaco Wristwatch, $20,627

*John Lurie, The Sky is Falling. I am Learning to Live with It, Watercolor, $19,625

*A menu by Henry Miller, signed and given to Bourdain by his son, Tony Miller, $19,375

“The Simpsons” television script for The Food Wife, $18,750

Says Laurie Woolever, Anthony Bourdain’s assistant and collaborator: "I'm pleased to see that Tony's art, furnishings, watches, books and collectibles have found new homes with people who appreciate his sensibilities, and that the sale of these items will allow future generations of CIA students to explore the world."  

“We are tremendously grateful that such a generous portion of these auction proceeds will support the Anthony Bourdain Legacy Scholarship at The Culinary institute of America,” said Dr. Tim Ryan, president of the CIA. “Anthony showed us that traveling to experience other cuisines and cultures first-hand is invaluable both in and outside the kitchen. We are proud to be able to support our students, the future leaders of the food industry, in following in his footsteps.”

About Lark Mason

With locations in New Braunfels, Texas and New York City, Lark Mason Associates, the eponymous, auction house specializing in Asian, ethnographic, and ancient works of art, was founded by Lark Mason after many years as an expert at Sotheby's New York.

Mason served as a General Appraiser from 1979 until 1985, and as a Senior Vice President and specialist in Chinese art with Sotheby's Chinese Works of Art Department from 1985-2003.  From 2000-2003 he concurrently was a Director of Online Auctions for Sothebys.com. He also served as a consulting curator at the Trammel and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art in Dallas, Texas from 2003-2009. He is a generalist in American and European works of art and paintings, as well as an expert in the field of Chinese art and has valued and advised many private collectors and institutions.

Lark Mason Associates regularly hosts auctions on the iGavel Auctions platform and has an established history of record sales of Chinese and other works of art and holds the record for the highest price achieved for any work of art in an online sale, for a painting sold in May 2014 that realized close to $4.2m. Mason, the owner and CEO of iGavel Auctions, is noted for his regular appearances on "The Antiques Road Show."

About The Culinary Institute of America

Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, food business management, hospitality management, culinary science, and applied food studies. The college also offers executive education, certificate programs, and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of more than 50,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food world. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore. For more information, visit www.ciachef.edu.