Heritage Sues After Luxury Accessories Expert Decamps for Christie's
- June 19, 2014 23:15
New York Times
Last month, Matthew Rubinger, 26, left his role in charge of luxury accessories at Heritage for Christie's, taking two high-level assistants with him. Heritage alleges that they groomed and trained Rubinger, shared corporate strategy with him, and made introductions for him. Heritage is suing for damages and lost profits. Christie's said in a statement that the suit was "without merit" and they would "vigorously defend these claims."
The market for high-end handbags and similar goods has an annual growth rate of 50%. Texas-based Heritage sold a Hermes Birkin for a record $203,000 in 2011, a sale that propelled the firm as leader in the market segment.
![Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577–1640), After Titian (Tiziano Vecelli) (Italian [Venetian], c. 1488–1576), Rape of Europa, 1628–29. Oil on canvas, 71 7/8 x 79 3/8 in.](/images/c/e2/2e/Jan20_Rape_of_Europa100x100_c.jpg "Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577–1640), After Titian (Tiziano Vecelli) (Italian [Venetian], c. 1488–1576), Rape of Europa, 1628–29. Oil on canvas, 71 7/8 x 79 3/8 in.")
100x100_c.jpg "Boba Fett L-slot rocket-firing prototype action figure, predecessor to the Boba Fett figure in Kenner’s popular 1979 Star Wars toy line, 3.75in tall, AFA-graded 80+ NM (archival case). Encapsulated with notarized CIB COA. Sold for a world-record price of $236,000 against an estimate of $100,000-$200,000")
