Bonhams is privileged to announce the sale of an original circa 1895 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller motorcycle at the first of its two annual Stafford auctions. Manufactured in Munich, Germany, the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller is of the utmost historical significance as the first powered two-wheeler to enter series production, and is the first such vehicle to which the name ‘motorcycle’ (motorrad in German) was ever applied.

The Hildebrand brothers, Henry and Wilhelm, developed their motorcycle in partnership with Alois Wolfmüller and his mechanic, Hans Geisenhof. Their design was powered by a twin-cylinder, water-cooled, four-stroke engine displacing 1,488cc, which until relatively recent times was the largest power unit ever fitted to a motorcycle. Despite a maximum power output of only 2.5bhp at 240rpm, the H&W was capable of speeds approaching 30mph, an exciting prospect at a time when powered road transport of any sort was still a novelty.

Patented in January 1894, H&W’s motorcycle was greeted with considerable enthusiasm and plans were drawn up to build a factory in Munich to produce it. It was also licensed to a firm in France and marketed there as ‘La Petrolette’. Despite some impressive demonstration performances by factory riders, the H&W’s shortcomings became all too apparent once deliveries to paying customers commenced, and early in 1897 both the German and French ventures collapsed. Opinions differ with regard to how many machines were produced, figures range from as low as 800 to as high as 2,000. Survivors are, needless to say, exceedingly rare.

Harlowe-Powell Auction Gallery, located in Charlottesville, VA, will host its 20th C Design/Arts & Crafts Auction live online with Artfact Live!. In this exciting sale, Harlowe-Powell Auction Gallery will offer more than 500 lots of fine and decorative art. A Gio Ponti 84-Piece Diamond-Pattern Sterling Flatware is the top estimated lot, requiring a minimum bid of $1,600 and expected to sell between $2,000-$3,000.
If you can’t join the live auction action in Charlottesville, VA, on January 22, visit Artfact.com to login or register free to bid live online at this exceptional auction.

Hollywood Entertainment Museum announced the release of historically significant items for auction to provide educational opportunities for LA’s at-risk youth. Presented by Super Auctions, nearly one hundred years of Hollywood history will be up for bid at a live, online auction January 31, 2010.

How can you alter the direction of a life? Not by lecturing, not by punishing, but by providing opportunities. Phyllis Caskey, President of HEM and main force in creating the Hollywood Media Arts Academy, a collaboration between HEM and the Los Angeles County Office of Education, explains the powerful impact of the school: “In just a short period of time, I can see the transformation that takes place in our students. While training for careers in the media arts, they earn their high school diplomas leading to higher education and security for their futures and families.”

Founded in 1986, HEM is an exceptional mix of culture and education. This program is one of the most successful in the country and serves as a global model. More than 82 percent of HEM students graduated high school, and 50 percent of those graduates went on to college.

Like all schools, HEM is faced with tough economic conditions, and has found a unique way to cover expenses. HEM is placing items on the auction block to raise money to keep the school in operation. Fans of movies, television shows and the stars of by-gone eras, have an opportunity to claim a piece of history, while providing educational opportunities that change lives. From the ridiculous to the sublime, items include:

antique projectors and editing equipment
exquisite, bronze, life-sized statutes of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton
items from the Max Factor collection including scrapbooks, make-up, beauty calibrator, world history books, wigs, negatives, photographs and more
Miniatures of the City of Hollywood, Hollywood Bowl, Malibu Colony, and Hollywood Movie Studio
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.superauctions.com.

ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT MUSEUM: hollywoodmuseum.com

ABOUT SUPER AUCTIONS: superauctions.com

fredricPR
Connie Jankowski, 714-357-2069
cjankowski@fredricpr.com

On January 18, 2010 Gateway Gallery Auction held it’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday auction, which consisted of an eclectic mix of fine antiques and artwork. The standing room only crowd was filled with motivated live and phone action, and received extensive absentee bidder interest.

Of significant interest, two signed Lily Spandorf gouache watercolors brought $900 and $1,100 respectively, proving that the interest in original Spandorf works in on the rise. “Spandorf’s works hold special significance for the Capitol region” said John F. Kohler, Jr. owner/auctioneer, “She depicted Washington DC neighborhoods and buildings, many of which are no longer standing, with animation and grace.”

Other selections included a seldom seen John Bell Syrup selling for $4,700; a remarkable miniature tall case clock sold for $1,100; a Tiffany & Co. desk clock sold for $750; and an exceptional period solid walnut art nouveau table lamp for $325.

Most popular were the firearms from private collectors and estates. A broomhandle Mauser brought $2,500; a Tikka 12-70 sold for $1,050; an A.H. Fox double barrel sold for $950; a Colt 1911 pistol for $1,700; and a Colt 1875 38 cal. Pistol realized $2,200.

Focusing on quality antiques and artwork, Gateway’s holiday auction offered unique and fresh-to-market pieces that created enthusiasm throughout the crowd. A Lincoln engraving signed by Marshall sold for $625, suggesting that bidder’s are looking to buy quality. “It’s seems that bidder confidence is up” says Kohler.

Gateway Gallery’s next two auctions will be held in February1 & 15, 2010. Consignments are being accepted for April auction dates. Prices given do not reflect 10% buyer’s premium.

An American Flag carried to the moon on Apollo 12 astronauts Conrad, Gordon and Bean in Nov. 1969 will be auctioned with other NASA memorabilia owned by a former NASA employee at www.prwauctions.com

Apollo 12 Flag Carried to the Moon, 3″ x 6″ cloth flag, framed 8.25″ x 10.25,” 2.25″ x 3″ silver paper marker card “Apollo 12, November 1969, Charles Conrad Jr, Richard F. Gordon Jr, Alan J. Bean,” inscription “This flag was carried to the moon by the crew of Apollo 12, November 19, 1969, Ocean of Storms,” from a NASA employee.

Lichfield based Auction, Richard Winterton Auctioneers with over 150 years of auction pedigree commenced free valuation sessions at The Trinity Centre, Church Hill in 2000. These are held every Monday from 2-4pm and there is plenty of free parking and easy access.

The service has been a huge success and an invaluable point of contact for the residents of Sutton Coldfield wishing to find out the value of their treasured possessions. Home visits are also arranged for clients with large quantities.

Numerous rare and exotic finds have been unearthed at the Trinity Centre, most recently a Scottish Impressionist oil painting by William Marshall Brown at £6,000 and a suite of Victorian gold/diamond jewels at £3,100.

Qualified Valuer/Associate Adrian Rathbone has been based at the Trinity Centre from the outset in 2000 and has built up a solid relationship with clients in the area. He is delighted to appraise all manner of items – from paintings, silver, ceramics and glass to toys, medals and general collectables.

The free valuations continue to be held every Monday from 2-4pm at The Trinity Centre, Church Hill, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1TF, (no appointment necessary). Home visits can also be arranged for advice on estate clearances and larger items. Contact the Auctioneers on 01543 251081 for further information.

www.richardwinterton.co.uk

Bonhams will offer an important collection of 100 motorcycles, mainly pre-1950 machines, from Pamplona, Spain, at the RAF Museum, Hendon on 27th February 2010.

The Pamplona Collection represents an important group of motorcycles assembled by a prominent Spanish private collector.

Over 100 in number, this extraordinarily diverse collection includes a brace of De Dion Bouton-engined machines dating from the closing years of the 19th Century, as well as nine four-cylinder models from the likes of Ace, Cleveland, Excelsior, FN, Henderson, Indian, Nimbus and Zündapp. V-twin engined motorcycles are another predominant theme, with no fewer than 18 in the collection including examples from Harley-Davidson, Sunbeam, Vincent, Motosacoche, Peugeot, Matchless, BSA and, of course, Brough Superior in the form of a 1931 SS100. Rare marques represented include Vindec, Wanderer, Acme, Rikuo, Böhmerland, PMZ, Griffon, Standard, Diamant, Laurin & Klement, Phebus and Mabeco.

The collection was assembled over the past few years for the enjoyment of the owner’s friends and family, and was housed at various locations before coming to its purpose-built museum home 12 months ago. Almost all of the machines were in running condition at time of purchase, since when they have been carefully stored.

Ben Walker, Head of the Motorcycles Department at Bonhams comments, “It is a pleasure to be offering for sale such a fine and outstanding collection of motorcycles. The vendor has managed to assemble, over a relatively short period of time, a world-class collection of rare machinery and this sale represents a fantastic opportunity for the enthusiast and collector to acquire something really special for their garage.”

www.bonhams.com/motorcycles

Philip Kamin, a renown rock n’ roll photographer, has selected Legendary Auctions, a premier Sports and Americana auction house, to sell his prized photography collection which features rock music icons from the last 50 years. The 30,000-plus piece collection of images consists of Kamin’s own photographs as well as other famous shots he has acquired during his career. The collection includes historic photos of musical greats such as the Beatles at Shea Stadium, The Rolling Stones in concert, candid frames of Elvis Presley, Madonna, The Doors, and Sting, among others. Each original photograph will be sold with its copyrights.

Bido.com, the Social Auction Platform, has officially released their “Vote For Profits” program. The auction selection process at Bido.com is now crowd sourced, and those who participate in screening the inventory are rewarded as a partner in the auction’s proceeds.

Bido.com has developed an interactive online auction with three distinct groups of members who participate in the auctions: Buyers, Sellers, and now, Voters. These professional Voters are compensated for selecting inventory to go to auction based on the item itself in relation to its ‘BidoPrice’, and marketing those items to the world to increase exposure of the auction.

When a truly exceptional copy of Detective Comics #27, the very first appearance of Batman, is auctioned by Heritage Auction Galleries in its Feb. 25 Signature® Comics & Comic Art Auction, it will set two important marks:

It will, more than likely, become the single most valuable comic ever offered at public auction. Though it’s being sold with no reserve and no minimum bid, it’s expected to bring at least $300,000. The current record for a comic sold at auction stands at $317,000, for a copy of Action Comics #1, sold last year at another auction house.

The other question the auction will settle, at least for the time being, is one of the great debates of Pop Culture: Who is worth more today, Batman or Superman?

www.HA.com