The Hot Bid: The story behind an astronaut’s record-setting watch

Astronaut David Scott wore this Bulova chronograph on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 15 mission in 1971. RR Auction image

During the summer, when auction schedules slow down, The Hot Bid showcases world auction records. 

What you see: The Bulova chronograph that astronaut David Scott wore on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 15 mission. RR Auction sold it in October 2015 for $1.6 million against an estimate of $750,000. It set a then-record for an Apollo item, a record for an item owned and directly consigned by an astronaut, a record for a timepiece used on the lunar surface, a record for any Bulova watch, and a RR Auction house record for the most expensive lot that it has handled.

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Couple’s art/design collection to be sold by Wright July 24

‘The Amusing Style – Selections from the Collection of Pavel Zoubok & Paul A. Baglio Jr.’ Wright image

CHICAGO – Pavel Zoubok and Paul Baglio have transformed the art of collage into an experience and a lifestyle. Under their extraordinary vision, the living environment pushes the boundaries between art and design and is theatrical, curious and amusing. On Wednesday, July 24, Wright will present a curated selection of fine art, furniture, objects and curiosities from their spectacular collection – the Amusing Style: Selections from the Collection of Pavel Zoubok & Paul A. Baglio Jr. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Cruising with a premium antiquarian map auction July 16  

World map dated 1493, woodblock engraving, 18in. x 25in., excellent condition. Estimate: $9,000-$11,000. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – Anchors aweigh! Set sail for foreign ports with a Jasper52 online auction of antique and collectible maps and atlases that will launch Tuesday, July 16. The selection of more than 120 lots ranges from a 15th century map of the world that was published a year after Columbus’ first voyage to the New World to a humorous pictorial Wonderground Map of London Town of 1928. Bid absentee or live online exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.

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Rare advertising, coin-ops, no-reserve muscle cars lead Milestone’s July 27 auction

Texaco Marine Motor Oil double-sided porcelain sign, stamped ‘MADE IN USA 4-50,’ 21½ x 11in. Est. $8,000-$10,000

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – Milestone Auctions in suburban Cleveland will open the doors to their brand new, purpose-built gallery on Saturday, July 27 with an 800-lot sale of breweriana and advertising; coin-ops, and classic-era muscle cars offered with no reserve. LiveAuctioneers will facilitate absentee and live online bidding.

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Metropolitan Museum of Art attendance tops 7 million

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Kai Pilger photo. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

NEW YORK – The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced today that it welcomed more than 7 million visitors to its three locations – the Met Fifth Avenue, the Met Cloisters and the Met Breuer – in the fiscal year that ended on June 30.

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