ARTFIXdaily News Feed - Breaking News from the Art World

Rare Stamp Fetches Record $9.5 Million at Auction

ArtfixDaily / June 17th, 2014

Once owned by a wealthy murderer, a 1-cent postage stamp from a 19th century British colony in South America sold for $9.5 million on Tuesday.

Antique Doll Fetches Record $300K

ArtfixDaily / March 31st, 2014

A much sought-after doll brought a world record price of $300,000 at auction over the weekend. Annapolis-based doll specialist Theriault's sold the Albert Marque bebe to...

Costumes of Downton Abbey to Debut at Winterthur

ArtfixDaily / February 20th, 2014

Costumes of Downton Abbey, a major exhibition featuring 40 exquisite costumes from the award-winning PBS series, will open at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library next month.

One Collector's Quest to Expose Wine Counterfeiters

CBS / December 22nd, 2013

Palm Beach and Cape Cod-based collector William I. Koch (Bill) has sought to buy the very best, from Monet to Remington, along with 40,000 bottles of the rarest wines. Koch told CBS News that he has spent...

First Published Book Fetches Auction Record

ArtfixDaily / December 1st, 2013

The Bay Psalm Book, the first book published in America, became the most expensive book ever sold at auction last week. One of only 11 known to exist today, the book brought...

Iconic Titanic Violin Could Bring Record Price at Auction

ArtfixDaily / October 17th, 2013

A water-damaged violin played by band leader Wallace Hartley aboard the Titanic goes on the auction block this weekend in the U.K. The piece has been called the "Holy Grail" of Titanic memorabilia and is expected to bring...

Would-be Buyer Threatens Legal Action Over Missed Bid

Macomb Daily / September 22nd, 2013

A metro-Detroit TV network owner says his bid was missed by Christie's in an auction of Lehman Brothers memorabilia, and he may pursue legal action.

UK Museum Raises Funds to Buy Jane Austen Ring from Kelly Clarkson

Time / August 14th, 2013

When a gold-and-turquoise ring once owned by celebrated English novelist Jane Austen appeared at auction last year, the UK's Jane Austen's House Museum came prepared to bid. One of only three pieces of Austen’s jewellery known to exist, the ring soared...

'Sound of Music' Outfits Sell for $1.56M at Auction

ArtfixDaily / July 31st, 2013

The drapery costumes worn by the Von Trapp children and a brown dress donned by Julie Andrews while singing "Do-Re-Mi" in "The Sound of Music" soared to $1.56 million at...

FBI Seeks Owners of Recovered Rare Maps, Books

ArtfixDaily / July 30th, 2013

When a well-known dealer of rare maps was caught stealing from a Yale University library in 2006, a FBI investigation ensued that revealed the man had stolen millions of dollars worth of...

French Feminist Trumps F. Scott Fitzgerald in Sotheby's Sale

ArtfixDaily / June 12th, 2013

A Sotheby's auction in New York saw a rare 16th century erotic polemic soar far above a buzzed-about first edition of F. Scott's Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," offered on the heels of this summer's hit film.

Kobe Bryant Agrees to Auction of his Memorabilia

ArtfixDaily / June 10th, 2013

After settling a disagreement with his mother, NBA star Kobe Bryant has given the green light to a sale of his memorabilia at a New Jersay auction house starting this month. The Los Angeles Lakers’ player reached a settlement with...

Rare Rhino Horns Stolen from National Museum of Ireland

ArtfixDaily / April 18th, 2013

Masked men stormed a warehouse and stole stuffed rhinoceros heads with eight valuable horns from Ireland's National Museum. Police and museum officials said Thursday that the heist was probably the work of an Irish Gypsy gang...

George Washington Signed Books Hit Auction Block

ArtfixDaily / April 16th, 2013

Seven books from George Washington's library at Mount Vernon, each signed by the president, will headline the June 4 sale of “The Library of a Distinguished American Book Collector”...

Rare Psalm Book May Fetch up to $30 Million at Auction

ArtfixDaily / April 14th, 2013

A colonial prayer hymnal, the first book ever printed in North America, is expected to bring a record $30 million at a Sotheby's auction in November.

Wagner Baseball Card Fetches Auction Record of $2.1 Million

ArtfixDaily / April 7th, 2013

One of the most sought-after pieces of sports memorabilia hit an auction record high on Saturday when a 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card sold for $2.1 million.

Beatles Sgt. Pepper Album Sets Auction Record

ArtfixDaily / April 2nd, 2013

A signed copy of the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band sold at auction for $290,500, almost doubling the previous record for an album cover from the legendary rock band.

Napoleon to Josephine Engagement Ring Fetches About $1 Million

ArtfixDaily / March 24th, 2013

Napoleon Bonaparte's engagement ring given to his beloved Joséphine in 1796 catapulted well beyond its high estimate of $20,000 to hammer down at more than $948,000 (730,000 euros) at a French auction on Sunday.

Skinner to Auction Textiles from Met Museum Collection

ArtfixDaily / February 28th, 2013

Skinner will offer textiles once belonging to The Metropolitan Museum of Art on March 13 in its Marlborough, Mass., gallery. From delicate Brussels lace to a bold Sonia Delauney shawl, the collection runs the spectrum of fine textiles and is estimated within an affordable price bracket for new ...

1865 Baseball Card Found in Maine to Hit Auction Block

ArtfixDaily / January 9th, 2013

A rare 148-year-old baseball card that was discovered at a rummage sale in rural northeastern Maine is expected to bring in the six-figures at auction.