In the third offering of this hit series, more international treasures go under the hammer in some of the most exclusive auction houses in the world.
There’s a sale of 120 pianos of all shapes and sizes; a vintage car auction sees a very special Jaguar-E type that could fetch over £1 million; a suitcase owned by one of the crew of the Titanic; jewels, fashion and art owned by Elizabeth Taylor, including the Krupp diamond she was given by Richard Burton, the tiara from husband Mike Todd, and the Prince of Wales brooch once owned by the Duchess of Windsor; a camera that went to the moon; and much, much more.
EPISODE 1
At Conway Hall, every three months, Richard Reason sells 120 pianos of all shapes and sizes and he’s looking for £20,000 for his star lot. Meanwhile, a view of Venice by eighteenth century artist Francesco Guardi could fetch over £20 million.
EPISODE 2
Enthusiasts have gathered for a Revival weekend featuring vintage and veteran cars where a special Jaguar E-Type could fetch over £1 million. Meanwhile, the University of Sydney is in London to auction a work by Picasso. The proceeds of the sale will aid medical research.
EPISODE 3
A suitcase owned by one of the Titanic crew is up for auction along with a set of newspapers from the time – and a poignant story. Elsewhere, the work of Ron Mueck comes under the hammer…including a larger-than-life baby!
EPISODE 4
A camera that went to the moon is being auctioned in New York along with memorabilia from the Space Race of the 1960s. There’s even a Russian cosmonaut’s suit that may fetch $250,000. In London, author Jeffrey Archer is having a clear out of his art collection.
EPISODE 5
A self-portrait by Andy Warhol is estimated to fetch £5 million as part of an auction which includes two bears carved by Jeff Koons – for £3.5 million. A painting by Poynter is also sold that caused a stir when it was first released.
EPISODE 6
In an auction of science memorabilia a rare Enigma machine comes under the hammer as well as a single biscuit – a survivor from Ernest Shackleton’s expedition to the Antarctic in 1907.
EPISODE 7
In London a painting of Derby Day by William Powell Frith is up for sale that could make its owner half a million pounds. Because he didn’t realise what he had, it’s been hanging in an un-locked American beach house for fifty years!
EPISODE 8
To help process funds from Washington after the Second World War, the Bank of England printed some million pound notes, and one of them is up for sale. Elsewhere under the hammer is a sculpture of Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt sitting on a bench – just like the one in Bond Street.
EPISODE 9
The jewels, haute-couture fashions and art of Elizabeth Taylor are coming to auction, including the Krupp diamond she was given by Richard Burton, the tiara from husband Mike Todd, and the Prince of Wales brooch once owned by the Duchess of Windsor.
EPISODE 10
In Paris, the paintings and sculptures of collector Darthea Speyer are up for sale. In New York, celebrity watches come under the hammer, including one which was a gift from director Howard Hughes.