LOS ANGELES— On May 3, John Moran Auctioneers presented Spring Jewels, its first fine jewelry sale of the year. Established names such as Tiffany & Co., Cartier, David Yurman and Omega graced the auction block, with certain pieces exceeding expectations.
DALLAS – An out-of-this-world Omega watch that was made for and given to one of the astronauts aboard the first manned mission to the moon will appear in Heritage Auctions’ Fine Watches & Timepieces Signature® Auction on Wednesday, June 1. It is estimated at $15,000-$1 million. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
LOS ANGELES – Pieces collected by the late Kirk and Anne Douglas drew thousands of bidders to a May 18 sale by Andrew Jones Auctions to benefit The Douglas Foundation. The sale achieved a total of $343,000 as well as white glove status. More than 200 lots of modern art, antiques, tribal works, fine and costume jewelry, personalized accessories, memorabilia, books and ephemera were offered.
NEW YORK (AP) – A former London and Miami art dealer who pleaded guilty to defrauding art buyers and others of more than $86 million was sentenced May 23 to seven years in prison. Inigo Philbrick, 34, a U.S. citizen who previously lived in London, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by Judge Sidney H. Stein. He also was ordered to forfeit $86 million.
LOS ANGELES – Located just down the street from Hollywood’s most iconic production studios, the Petersen Automotive Museum’s brand-new collection of some of the most famous vehicles ever to appear in film and television is now open to the public. Located in the Omaze Hollywood Gallery on the Otis Booth History Floor, the exhibit will include a diverse selection of cars, motorcycles and custom creations that have starred in popular movies and television series throughout the decades. The Cars of Film and Television display is currently on view and will remain on view for at least a year.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Arron Rimpley, founder of Lion and Unicorn, has long been a collector, starting when he gathered rocks as a child in his native Colorado. At age 23, he came to Miami and began working in the antiques business, soon specializing in British decorative arts. He set up at the antiques industry’s top shows around the country and helped museums mount exhibitions before deciding to open the Whitley Collection in 2000, through which he created experiences that allowed collectors to see objects in new ways. That same approach guided him when he launched Lion and Unicorn in January 2018. Rimpley’s goal is to provide top-notch customer service and well-researched information to make buying a breeze and also create an information record that helps preserve the material he auctions.