Over $200,000 Expected For Spitfire Remnant

In its last wartime mission, a training flight in 1944, the Spitfire fighter plane with the call sign NK-K didn’t fare well. It crashed and its Australian pilot perished. Since that time, its parts have been assembled in a fuselage and cockpit display that a local English scout troop used for promotional purposes. This weekend, the English auctioneer Historics at Brooklands will auction the historic plane—or what remains of it—in a sale at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey, where it’s expected to fetch $190,000-$237,000.The auction is primarily a sale of vintage English automobiles, with a number of rarities, among them a 1936 Riley Falcon 12/4 Sports convertible (est. $72,700-$86,900), a 1934 Humber Snipe 80 ($20,500-$25,300), and a 1934 Hillman Aero-Minx Streamline Tourer (est. $37,900-$45,800). Aston Martin collectors, however, will doubtless focus their attention on the remarkable 1965 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage in the sale. Fully restored, with an odometer reading just 10,500 miles, it’s anticipated to realize as much as $221,000.

1941 Chrysler Indy 500 Pace Car At Amelia Island

February 15, 2012 Not surprisingly, there are some stunning cars in the lineup for RM’s Amelia Island auction next month. Among the rarest is a 1941 Chrysler Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton by Le Baron, one of only 5 ever produced. This example, designed and built in just 90 days, was the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 in 1941. Formerly owned by Walter P. Chrysler Jr., it’s expected to sell for $1.5m-$2m.Another car likely to draw a lot of attention from collectors is a 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe Speciale by Pinin Farina. One of only 4 made, it was originally sold to a member of the Agnelli family, who owned—and still control—Fiat. It’s won numerous awards, including a lst in class at the 1992 Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance. This time around, it’s expected to fetch $1.3-$1.6m. Other featured lots include a beautifully restored 1965 Vantage powered Aston Martin DB5, one of one 7 produced for which RM didn’t release estimates, a 1930 Bugatti Type 46 Superprofile Coupe ($1.25m-$1.75m), and a 1913 Hispano-Suiza “King Alfonso XIII” Double Berline by Carrosserie Alin & Lieutard, capable of achieving a remarkable 80mph (est. $750,000-$1m).

http://www.auctionnewsnetwork.com/cars/1941-chrysler-indy-500-pace-car-at-amelia-island/6551/ 

Muhammad Ali’s Boxing Gloves

February 16, 2012 In 1960, back in the days when he was still known as Cassius Clay, boxing great Muhammad Ali won the National AAU light heavyweight boxing championship by stopping a fighter named Jeff Davis in the second round.  On April 7 at its Sports Collectibles auction in Dallas, Heritage will offer the boxing gloves he wore in that bout. They’re expected to knock down a price of at least $20,000.The burgundy Rawlings gloves come from Louisville’s Columbia Street gym and the personal collection of Joe Martin, Ali’s early mentor. The 10-ounce gloves come with a letter from boxing memorabilia expert, Craig Hamilton, certifying their provenance.

http://www.auctionnewsnetwork.com/memorabilia/muhammad-alis-boxing-gloves/6563/ 

Before Google,18th Century Encyclopedia At Auction

When first published in 1751, this Encylopedia was the greatest collection of knowledge and reason under one cover—or 17 covers to be exact. Today, it would all fit on a single DVD. Translated into French, the volumes will be sold by PBA Auctions in San Francisco next month. High estimate, $47,000.Under the guidance of Denis Diderot, it took decades       to complete, at times facing fierce opposition from opponents such as the Jesuits for some of its philosophical positions and scientific assertions. It is known as the “”Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers,” or, the “Dictionary of the sciences, arts and crafts.” It was the first encyclopedia to identify individual contributors such as Rousseau and Voltaire.

http://www.auctionnewsnetwork.com/books/before-google18th-century-encyclopedia-at-auction/6568/