Five highly unusual items for sale currently including one that might be suitable as a gift for wannabe PM and one-time cocaine experimenter Michael Gove
William IV Sterling Silver Novelty Cocaine Powder Tower and Scoop
Price: £2,735 ($3,470, €3,070 or درهم12,750)
Given his admission about what he’s previously put up his nose, this sterling silver novelty cocaine powder tower and scoop could be the perfect thing for Michael Gove’s desk. Hallmarked by royal silversmith Benjamin Smith, London, 1833, the pyramidal obelisk with brickwork decoration is 10.8cm tall and is offered by Daniel Cotton. He can be contacted at dccot@aol.com or on +44 (0) 776 887 6825.
The Gold Open-Face Pocket Watch Of Edgar Allen Poe
Estimate: £63,000 to £95,000 ($80,000 to $120,000, €71,000 to €106,000 or درهم294,000 to درهم441,000)
Described as a “poignant symbol his fleeting commercial success in the face of nearly lifelong debt” by auctionners Christie’s, this French 18k gold pocket watch features an engraved inscription Edgar A. Poe. Given clocks, watches and time in general were recurring themes in his work and that he had to give it towards settling his debts in 1842, this literary artifact will no doubt appeal to collectors. It will be sold on the 12th June in New York.
1948 Healey Woodie Estate by Dibbins of Southampton
Price: £125,000 ($159,000, €140,000 or درهم583,000)
One of just two surviving examples of only seventeen ever built, this British racing green and wood clad shooting brake has just 5,000 miles on the clock. The 2-litre manual, petrol car is described as having been subjected to a full restoration after being found in a “very poor state” in Scotland and now “drives like a dream.” It is being sold by Classic Mobilia of Milton Keynes.
1973 Land Rover Range Rover Suffix B Convertible by Special Vehicle Conversions
Price: £29,550 ($37,500, €33,200 or درهم138,000)
Also for sale through Classic Mobilia currently is a Range Rover that was converted to a convertible in the 1980s. Won by its current owner in a game of cards in the 1990s, the 3.5-litre vehicle was then put into storage and forgotten about until 2014. Subsequently reconditioned, the rioja red manual vehicle has covered 62,200 miles and is described as being something that would be “at home on a grouse moor.”
Chinese Quing Dynasty Rock-Crystal Deer Formerly Owned By Coco Chanel
Estimate: £1,800 to £2,700 ($2,300 to $3,400, €2,000 to €3,000 or درهم8,300 to درهم12,500)
This rock-crystal deer, sculpted in China during the Quing dynasty (1644 – 1911), adorned Coco Chanel’s coffee table and her mantlepiece during her time living at the Ritz in Paris (our main image shows her pictured with it). It is described by Christie’s Chinese ceramics and works of art specialist Camille de Foresta as having “tremendous appeal to lovers of Asian art as well as devoted admirers of Coco Chanel.” It will be sold in Paris on 12th June.
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