AN ELUSIVE HANDBAG, A STUNNING RED DIAMOND AND A STORIED $10,000 NOTE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE ITEMS HERITAGE SPECIALISTS ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS SEASON
All Hail, the Hermès Himalayan: The Holy Grail of Handbags
What goes with a Diamond Himalayan Birkin bag? Short answer: everything. But not everyone – hardly anyone, in fact – will ever have the pleasure of adding this elusive accessory to their collection. The exceedingly rare and stunningly beautiful handbag crafted from niloticus crocodile by the master artisans at Hermès and inspired by the snow-capped peaks of its namesake mountain range ranks as one of the most collectible and valuable bags in the world – with or without diamonds. But the diamond-studded version, one of which is offered in Heritage Auctions’ October 6 Luxury Accessories Signature® Auction, is held in even higher esteem. Featuring 18k white gold hardware and encrusted with 245 sparkling diamonds, the 30cm bag presented here is a shining example of the exquisite craftsmanship for which Hermès is known. “Reserved for only a tiny percentage of VIP Hermès clients, Diamond Himalayan Birkins are the pinnacle of any Hermès collection,” says Diane D’Amato, Heritage’s Director of Luxury Accessories, Private Sales & The Boutique. “And this bag, the centerpiece of our fall auction, is absolutely spectacular.”
Bet on This: A $10,000 Note From Binion’s Famed Million-Dollar Casino Display
Erected in 1964, the legendary $1 million display at Binion’s Horseshoe casino became the most photographed Las Vegas icon of all time. Consisting of an oversize golden horseshoe arched above a case filled with 100 $10,000 Federal Reserve Notes, the must-see attraction drew visitors from around the world, all eager to flash a smile in front of the famous stack of cash. That includes casino owner Benny Binion himself, who often posed with the money for publicity shots. In 1999, however, Vegas lost a little bit of its magic when Binion’s daughter sold the showpiece to a coin dealer. Now, one of the notes from the long-gone display has found its way to Heritage Auctions. The nicely preserved Fr. 2231-B $10,000 1934 Federal Reserve Note, graded Choice Uncirculated 64 by PCGS Banknote, is one of the centerpiece offerings in Heritage’s October 5-7 Long Beach Expo Currency Signature® Auction. “With dark inks and white paper, this is one of the most vibrant ten grand notes from that display,” says Dustin Johnston, Heritage’s Vice President of Numismatics, Currency Consignments. “$10,000 notes are considered trophies, and the Binion notes, with their storied Vegas history, are among the most popular examples.”
Seeing Red: A Dazzling, Ultra-Rare Red Diamond
Diamonds occur naturally in a rainbow of hues, but one color stands out as the fairest and rarest of them all. Because of their exceptional scarcity, diamonds described as predominantly red rank among the world’s most elusive and expensive gems. Originating in locations such as Brazil, Australia, Russia and Africa, red diamonds are found only in small sizes and small quantities, making them one of the planet’s most intriguing gemstones. As a result, very few people are lucky enough to ever see a red diamond in person, especially one over 1.00 carat. But on September 29, during Heritage Auctions’ Fall Fine Jewelry Signature® Auction, diamond devotees will have a chance to purchase their very own 1.21-carat Fancy Orangy Red Diamond. “This gem is one of only a few diamonds to display enough saturation and intensity to be graded as a true red,” says Jill Burgum, Heritage’s Executive Director of Fine Jewelry. “Adding to the allure, the cause of a red diamond’s color remains a mystery to scientists, making this stone even more of a marvel.”
Dish Enchantment: A Porcelain Stunner From an Important Asian Art Collection
The peony-patterned Chinese vessel that serves as the centerpiece of Heritage Auctions’ September 20-21 Asian Art Signature® Auction is a triumph of Ming Dynasty porcelain. Exquisitely glazed with copper, the massive dish was collected by Dr. Cornelius Osgood, the curator of Yale’s Peabody Museum, and his wife, Soo Sui-ling Osgood. Copper glazing, due to its unsteady metal oxide, results in many kiln failures, and so this dish represents a major and early success of the form. Dating back to the Hongwu Period circa 1368-1398, the vessel epitomizes Dr. Osgood’s discernment and taste. “Professor Osgood purchased a large portion of his Asian Art collection from the famous Chinese art dealer C.T. Loo and his successor Frank Caro in New York,” says Clementine Chen, Heritage’s Senior Consignment Director of Asian Art. “And we’re honored to present more than 60 Asian Art pieces from the professor’s collection, including this rare and important dish.”
Wild Card: A Pokémon Rarity in Mint Condition
Perhaps the only thing more prized than getting into the Secret Super Battle of the Pokémon Trading Card Game more than two decades ago was learning the location of the ultra-rare cards that granted players access. So invested were the players in the 1999 tournament that the location of the finals did not get revealed until after players won a card at a regional qualifying tournament that granted entry to the finals. With just seven qualifying tournaments, it is believed only seven of these rarities exist – an extraordinary example of which is being offered in Heritage Auctions’ Trading Card Games Signature® Auction September 22-23. The 1999 Secret Super Battle No. 1 Trainer Card is one of the rarest and most desirable cards in the entire Pokémon Trading Card Game. “This is an incredibly significant card in the history of Pokémon,” says Jesus Garcia, Director of Trading Card Games at Heritage. “Collectors have been chasing these cards for years, and to acquire one in Gem Mint 10 condition is an unbelievable opportunity.”
Art for All: Inspiring Works for Both New and Seasoned Collectors
“At Heritage Auctions, we believe art is for everyone, and we especially love introducing our industry to first-time bidders,” says Holly Sherratt, Heritage’s Director of Modern & Contemporary Art. Case in point: the September 15 Contemporary Art Within Reach sale, which offers world-class artwork for every budget. With estimates ranging from $500 to $10,000, and many of the pieces coming from estates or large collections, collectors can own an original work of art for the same price as an editioned print. For example, the auction features a beautiful work on paper by Roland Petersen, a renowned Bay Area artist who taught at U.C. Davis alongside Wayne Thiebaud, Robert Arneson and William Wiley. “This classic work is estimated at $5,000 to $7,000,” Sherratt says. “Last year, Heritage sold a large oil painting by the same artist for a record-breaking $225,000. So, some lucky collector could own a museum-quality piece for a modest amount.” Other auction highlights include work by Karel Appel, Ed Moses, Paul Jenkins and Robert Rauschenberg.