Metropolitan Museum of Art’s directorship receives major endowment

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

NEW YORK – The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced today the endowment of the Museum’s directorship position, made possible by a generous donation from the Marina Kellen French Foundation and the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation. In recognition of this major gift—which will also provide important support for the Museum’s general operating expenses—the role of Director has been renamed the Marina Kellen French Director. Max Hollein, Director of The Met since 2018, is the position’s first incumbent, effective immediately.

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Milestone to auction historically important, fresh-to-market firearms, Jan. 30

Colt single-action presentation Army Revolver, .45 caliber, one of four guns shipped on April 15, 1887 to Colt distributors Hartley & Graham of New York. Engraved by Cuno Helfricht or his shop to indicate presentation in 1892 to Jefferson D. Kurtz, former Confederate soldier and future sheriff of Volusia County, Florida, killed in line of duty in 1895. Estimate $25,000-$35,000

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – Milestone Auctions’ Premier Antique & Modern Firearms Auctions traditionally include the cream of the crop from many categories, ranging from provenanced early arms associated with historic battles to high-condition, fresh-to-the-market examples from noted private collections. That’s what bidders can look forward to seeing on January 30 at Milestone’s exceptional 832-lot sale. All forms of remote bidding will be available to those who cannot attend in person, including live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Quinn’s to offer estate property of DC notables Jan. 30

Rare ruby-ground famille rose porcelain vase, six-character Qianlong red-seal mark, probably of the period. Neck and shoulder decorated with good luck symbols. Main composition shows children on terrace that overlooks landscape and pavilion. Purchased in 1922. 11 1/8 inches high. Provenance: Estate of Catherine Spencer Eddy Beveridge and her aunt, Delia Macomb Spencer Field, the second wife of Marshall Field. Estimate $25,000-$35,000. Quinn’s image

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – On Saturday, Jan. 30, Quinn’s Auction Galleries will conduct a Fine & Decorative Arts Auction featuring American, European, Asian and Modern selections from the estates of Washington, D.C., notables as well as elegant residences in the northern Virginia region. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Rodin Museum sculpture garden reopens in Paris

Garden view at the Musée Rodin. Photo by Valueyou (talk), licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License

PARIS (AP) – There is a ray of light for Parisians who, like the rest of the French nation this weekend, begin to observe a tightened coronavirus curfew: The famous Rodin Museum sculpture gardens have reopened to visitors.

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Egypt unveils ancient funerary temple amid pyramids

Archaeologists have unearthed the temple of Queen Neit near the Saqqara necropolis, which is part of Egypt’s ancient capital of Memphis that includes the famed Giza pyramids. Pictured is the Saqqara pyramid of Djoser. Image by Charles James Sharp. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

CAIRO (AP) – Egypt’s former antiquities minister and noted archaeologist Zahi Hawass on Sunday revealed details of an ancient funerary temple in a vast necropolis south of Cairo.

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How sports memorabilia is authenticated

Babe Ruth signed this Official American League baseball at an event at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis on June 19, 1948, two months before he died. It sold for $20,000 + the buyer’s premium in 2013. Image courtesy of Ivey-Selkirk Auctioneers and LiveAuctioneers

NEW YORK – Sports memorabilia is often more valuable autographed but buying an autographed item, say a jersey or trading card, can be tricky as signatures can easily be faked. Even a bat purporting to belong to Babe Ruth can be challenging to authenticate.

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