CHRISTIE’S | PRESENTS PATEK PHILIPPE NAUTILUS 40 TO MARK THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE NAUTILUS MODEL

After Christie’s thematic auction curated around the 175th anniversary of Patek Philippe in November 2014, the auction house will be holding this Fall an anniversary sale to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Patek Philippe Nautilus model. Christie’s international watch department will be holding sales in the four major auction venues – Dubai – Geneva – Hong Kong – New York from October to December and in each venue 10 exceptional Nautilus models will be presented as a section entitled Patek Philippe Nautilus 40. The 40 watches will cover the Nautilus production from the first model to the most recent, including many rare and fresh to market superlative examples of this beloved watch design.

The Nautilus Model was launched in 1976, when Patek Philippe was looking for a ‘sports’ watch combining a strong design and an inimitable personality. The design was, and still is based upon the shape of a porthole found on virtually all maritime vessels. The original model was the Ref. 3700/1 made in steel, created 137 years after the founding of Patek Philippe and remains one of the most sought-after timepieces at auction. Christie’s offering of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 40 will present a selection of these exceptional collector items, including examples with rare variant dials and near mint and complete examples.

Today, the Nautilus is still in production and throughout time it has gained style through subtle and carefully calculated changes while preserving its original spirit of a classic, elegant sports watch. At the time of its original launch, the Nautilus had a key role in Patek Philippe’s overall marketing strategy in response to the quartz revolution and the evolving fine watch market of the 1970s.

Christie’s holds the record price for any Nautilus model sold at auction, when ref. 3700/031, made in 1982 sold for CHF845,000 / $909,319, against a pre-sale estimate of CHF200,000-400,000/ $220,000-420,000 on 11 May 2015 in Geneva.

Patek Philippe, the last family owned independent watch maker in Geneva, was founded in 1839. For over 175 years, it has perpetuated the tradition of Genevan watchmaking, producing and assembling what experts agree to be among the most sought after watches in the world.

THE GLOBAL AUCTION DATES

DUBAI – Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel – 19 October 2016

GENEVA – The Four Seasons Hotel des Bergs – 14 November 2016

HONG KONG – Convention Center – 28 November 2016

NEW YORK – Rockefeller Center – 6 December 2016

 

RM Sotheby’s | THE MOST IMPORTANT AMERICAN SPORTS CAR TO EVER BE OFFERED FOR SALE: THE VERY FIRST SHELBY COBRA

• Unprecedented sale: RM Sotheby’s presents the first Shelby Cobra—CSX 2000—at its flagship Monterey, California sale, August 19-20
• Offered by the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust, CSX 2000 was owned from new by the legendary Carroll Shelby and has never left his care
• RM’s Monterey sale to also feature the 1965 Shelby Cobra 427, CSX 3178, also retained from new by the great Carroll Shelby and offered from the Carroll Shelby Foundation
• Further information, images and a frequently updated list of entries for RM Monterey available at www.rmsothebys.com

  

BLENHEIM, Ontario (June 29, 2016) – CSX 2000, the most important modern American car—period—and a vehicle that revolutionized the automotive world, will cross the auction block this summer as part of RM Sotheby’s flagship Monterey sale, August 19–20, in California. Offered for sale by the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust, the iconic Cobra was constructed and kept from new by the legendary Carroll Shelby and never left his ownership. A truly unprecedented event, its presentation in Monterey will command the attention of the global collector community.

The original Shelby Cobra, CSX 2000 marked the start of Carroll Shelby’s incredible automotive legacy. The car was born in 1962 in a small garage in Santa Fe Springs, California, after Carroll Shelby, joined by a handful of hot-rodders, shoehorned Ford’s new, lightweight, high revving 260-cubic inch V-8 into a modified AC Ace chassis. The result—a fierce sports car armed with incredible performance in a lithe, stylish package—became the cornerstone on which the great Carroll Shelby set the world on fire and forever changed the course of automotive history.

“When it comes to American sports cars, CSX 2000 is without peers. Its historical significance and impact on the global sports car scene cannot be overstated,” says Shelby Myers, Car Specialist, RM Sotheby’s. “In the automotive world, CSX 2000 was the shot heard ‘round the world; it revolutionized not only American racing, but the greater auto industry as a whole. Had Carroll Shelby never decided to squeeze that high performance V-8 into its engine bay, there would be no Cobra and certainly no Shelby American, nor GT40, nor the others that followed. The automotive landscape and sports cars as we know them would be very different.”

CSX 2000 played a multitude of roles during its early days. As the only one of its kind, it was not only used in testing and development, but also driven by the motoring press, and shown in cities across the U.S. to drum up interest and sales for the fledgling company, Shelby American, Inc. During this time, thanks to clever marketing, Shelby also convinced the public that Cobra production was in full swing; the car was repainted a different color for almost every appearance to give the impression that Shelby had more than one car in their inventory. In reality, it remained the first and only Cobra for seven months. CSX 2000’s technical specifications were also extraordinary. A 1962 road test by Road & Track revealed a 0–60 mph sprint in just 4.2 seconds, a standing quarter-mile run in 13.8 seconds at 112 mph, and a top speed of 153 mph.

Throughout its life, even after Cobra production ended, CSX 2000 never shied away from public view, nor did it change ownership. It has been featured in countless books and magazines, continually driven and critiqued in road tests, and a frequent motor show starlet. It was even used for a period of time by employees at the Carroll Shelby School of High Performance Driving. To commemorate the 50^thanniversary of the Shelby Cobra in 2012, CSX 2000 took center stage at some of the country’s most prominent events that year—the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion included. Since then, it has been a prominent and much-admired display at the Shelby Heritage Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Carroll and Rob Myers discussed Cobra #1 many times, and they were good friends. Their agreement that Rob would offer the car for Carroll’s Trust, after he was gone, was a very emotional one for both of them,” states Joe Conway, Co-Trustee with Neil Cummings of the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust. “Neil Cummings and I are now simply carrying out Carroll’s wishes, with no disrespect meant to the other individuals who meant so much to Carroll and did so much for his business and his Foundation over the years.”

Shelby Myers, on behalf of RM Sotheby’s adds, “We feel both incredibly honored and privileged to have been entrusted with CSX 2000’s sale by the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust. It is, without exception, the single most important and history-rewriting sports car ever offered at auction, after over 50 years of ownership and without ever leaving the care of its founding father. Supremely original and with extraordinary history, we’re beyond thrilled to celebrate and present this national treasure in Monterey this August.”

As part of a fantastic showcase celebrating 50 years of Shelby heritage, RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale will also offer the 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra, CSX 3178, on behalf of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. Another car in single-ownership with Carroll Shelby from new, CSX 3178 was fitted with a rare automatic transmission for his personal driving use. Also set for the RM Monterey podium, a 1999 Shelby Series I Roadster, CSX 5064, finished in Centennial Silver with Candy Apple Blue stripes, and sporting only 2,637 miles, and Carroll Shelby’s personal 1986 Dodge Shelby GLHS Omni, GLHS 086, showing just 7,733 miles, both of which are offered from the Carroll Hall Shelby Trust.

More on RM Sotheby’s

Bonhams | The Robert White Collection

Rare motorcycles, motor cars, watches and cameras 

to be sold for a charitable cause

• Containing a treasure trove of mechanical rarities, the Robert White Collection will be sold at Bonhams on 19 September 2016
• Close friend Jay Leno described Robert White as a man who “Took more pleasure from his possessions than any man I have ever met.”
• The sale is expected to raise more than £2 million, with all proceeds set to fund advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment in Robert White’s home county of Dorset

Bonhams is delighted to announce the single-owner collection of entrepreneur and businessman, Robert White.

The collection contains a vast treasure trove of collectible mechanical delights worth more than £2 million, including motorcycles, motor cars, vintage Leica cameras, motoring mascots, Lalique, and several rare wristwatches.

Proceeds from the sale of this incredible collection will be used to build new cancer facilities at Poole and Dorset County hospitals, benefiting patients across the whole of the country.

“Robert White was a great man and an enthusiast of all things mechanical. The sale is a showcase of his life’s passion, with more than 500 lots set to raise more than £2 million for charity,” said Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Co-Chairman. “The collection is the result of a life’s passion for photography – Robert was the founder of one of the UK’s leading photographic retailers – and his adoration for motorcycles. We’re delighted to be able to offer this for sale, and for such a great charitable cause.”

It was his love of motorcycles that first connected Robert White his close friend and confidant, the comedian and TV host, Jay Leno.

“They say that you should never be possessed by your possessions; but Robert took more pleasure from his possessions than any man I have ever met,” said Leno. “The evening ritual of winding his George Daniels watch, for example, was an active delight to him as an opportunity to take pleasure in its mechanism.”

Robert White riding his Gilera 500cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle recreation at the 2006 Southern 100.

The model is now offered at an estimate of £50,000-60,000

The friends bonded over a love of Brough Superior motorcycles, and before Robert died in 2015, he sold his Brough Superiors to Leno. The funds from the Brough Superiors have been used to support the creation of a brand new cancer treatment centre at Dorset County Hospital and new diagnostic facilities at Poole Hospital, both overseen by the latter’s Dorset Cancer Centre.

Leno said: “We spent time together in England before he died. He didn’t feel sorry for himself or ‘woe-is-me’. He realistically faced up to his position and decided he wanted to give something back to the people in Poole Hospital who had helped him with his illness.”

ROBERT WHITE:

Robert White (1953-2015) was the founder of one of the UK’s leading photographic retailers, having started in business with a small camera shop in Poole, where he was born.

An astute and dedicated businessman, Robert White’s success enabled him to indulge a passion for collecting machines and objects that embodied the finest design and engineering. He loved to ride motorcycles and drive fast cars. He learned to fly and bought a vintage Boeing-Stearman bi-plane to travel round Britain.

He was described by a close friend as: “A modest person who liked the best of what he liked, but was never one for designer clothes and frippery, leaves a legacy that will outlast all of us. The life of Robert will help countless people he has never met. Robert’s illness taught him what is important, and he was in a self-made position to make a life-changing difference.”

A CHARITABLE CAUSE:

Robert White died of cancer in 2015. His consultant oncologist, Dr. Mike Bayne, said: “The impact that Mr. White’s incredible generosity will have to patients facing cancer in Dorset cannot be overstated.

“This lasting legacy will continue to benefit patients and their families for years to come, enabling the people of Dorset to receive the very latest and most effective diagnoses and treatments for a range of cancers, and supporting our skilled clinicians and nursing teams to be among the most advanced in the country.

“Robert White will forever be associated with advances in cancer care in the county, and on behalf of our patients I would like to express our heartfelt thanks.”

The money raised from the Robert White Collection will help to fund essential improvements in cancer diagnosis and treatment in Dorset, including:

• New cancer treatment radiotherapy facilities at Dorset County Hospital to benefit patients in the west of the county, meaning shorter travel times
• New computerised tomography (CT) scanner for Poole Hospital, accurately identifying cancer site to enable targeted treatment
• Permanent positron emission tomography (PET) scanner at Poole Hospital – a sophisticated imaging technique widely used for cancer, providing highly detailed imagery showing tumours and its response to treatment.
• Education and training bursaries to enable staff working in cancer care and associated medical and diagnostic specialties to remain at the cutting edge of best practice.

WATCHES:

Dr. George Daniels C.B.E (1926–2011) is regarded by many as having been the greatest watchmaker of the last 250 years. In the 1990s, he relinquished some custodianship of his brand to Roger Smith, the man who would continue Daniels’ legacy long after he’d gone.

Smith was the only watchmaker Daniels ever collaborated with, and, working together, they produced a number of watches, including the very last piece to bear the ‘Daniels’ name, the

George Daniels 35^th Anniversary wristwatch. It is of no surprise then, that Robert White, an enthusiast of mechanics and engineering, possessed one of these rare, beautiful wristwatches. The watch is now offered at an estimate of £70,000-100,000.

MOTORCYCLES:

“Robert White loved his motorcycles, and this is no more evident than when we look at the incredible machines he had in his collection,” said Ben Walker, Bonhams Head of Motorcycles. “Robert had his own personal motoring museum and workshop where he took great pleasure in showing people his carefully curated items. He was a true enthusiast who appreciated each and every part of these exhilarating machines.

Motorcycles featured in the collection include:

• c.1929 Megola 640cc Touring Model, estimated at £120,000-140,000
• MV Agusta 500cc 3-Cylinder Grand Prix recreation, estimate £80,000-100,000
• MV Agusta 500cc 4-Cylinder Grand Prix recreation, estimate £70,000-90,0000
• 1974 Ducati 750SS, estimated at £60,000-70,000
• 1951 Vincent 998cc Series C Black Shadow, estimated at £50,000-70,000

MOTOR CARS:

The collection features four lovingly maintained motor cars, including a superb 1930 Bentley 4½-Litre Tourer.

Just 670 4½ Litre Bentleys were built between 1927 and 1931, with this particular model offered carrying the popular Le Mans-style Tourer coachwork, made famous from the Le Mans 24-Hour victory in 1928.

Motor cars featured in the collection include:

• 1930 Bentley 4½-Litre Le Mans-style Tourer, estimated at £450,000-550,000
• 1959 AC Ace-Bristol Roadster, estimated at £180,000-220,000
• 1958 AC Ace Roadster, estimated at £120,000-140,000
• Pur Sang ‘Type 51’ Sports Two Seater, estimated at £90,000-110,000

More info on Bonhams

Meridianaeshop | Have you ever seen a JLC like this?

Super rare JLC 70s in white gold cross mesh bracelet with its original night blue cortex dial. It’s powers with a Manual winding movement Ref.2181707, snap and oversize case. Completely original and in outstanding condition. Now for sale on the shop.

Shop | Rolex “The Exclamation Mark Dial” ref. 5508

This Astonishing Rolex “James Bond” Submariner Ref. 5508 manufactured in 1962 is in itself an exceptional watch. But what makes it really special and now the “Exclamation Mark”. This little point at 6 o’ clock was used by Rolex in 1962 to show that the radiation has been adapted to new Atomic Energy Commission regulations. Only the last series produced between ’61 and ’62 had this feature.

Now on the shop

 

Bonhams | Catalogue Now Online The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale Friday 24 June

BONHAMS | GEARS UP FOR THE FESTIVAL OF SPEED

 

Magnificent models from Ferrari, Bugatti, BMW and Jaguar are revealed as highlights of Bonhams Festival of Speed Sale, all set to go under the hammer on 24 June 2016.

‘Supremely vigorous car with a fiery temperament’

This is how the Ferrari 275 GTB was described when it was first launched. Ferrari built just 48 right-hand versions, with the rare 1966 model offered delivered new to the UK to British racing driver and instructor Mark Konig. Its streamlined nose, tail spoiler and cast-alloy wheels echo the very first developments seen on Ferrari competition cars. It’s truly one of the finest Gran Turismos ever produced by Ferrari. Presenting a superb, swift driving experience, this long nosed variant has been in the same family ownership for more than a decade. It is estimated at £1,600,000-1,900,000.

‘The Daytona isn’t fast – it’s blinding’

So said Car & Driver in 1970. This V12 front-engined sports car had its debut in Paris in 1968, and later swiftly received the moniker ‘Daytona’ after a sweeping 1,2,3 finish by the Ferrari 330P4 at the US circuit in 1967. The Ferrari Classiche certified 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB4 ‘Daytona’ Berlinetta model offered is estimated at £620,000-680,000.

Further highlights include:

• The 2002 Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina, estimated at £270,000-320,000
• The 1970 Ferrari 246 GT Dino, estimated at £180,000-240,000
• The 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Berlinetta, estimated at £180,000-200,000

Bonhams sale also features several 1960s greats, including a 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster, estimated at £200,000-250,000, the 1965 Alfa Romeo GTA 1600, estimated at £175,000-225,000, and the 1960 Maserati 3500 GT Coupé, estimated at £180,000-220,000.

Elsewhere some eighties muscle with the 1981 BMW M1 Coupé. The M1 coupled Italian style with German engineering, as its development was a cooperative effort with top Italian specialists. The M1’s wedge-shaped coachwork proved highly efficient aerodynamically, needing very little in the way of additional spoilers and wings, even in race configuration. It is offered at an estimate of £280,000-320,000

Tim Schofield, Bonhams UK Head of Motoring, said: “The Festival of Speed is the highlight of the UK summer motoring calendar. Each year Bonhams continue to offer a wealth of exciting, rare, and often record breaking motor cars, and this year is set to be no exception.”

Also offered is a rare 1949 Aston Martin DB Team Car, estimated at £600,000-900,000.

One of three lightweight cars produced by Aston Martin for the 1949 Le Mans 24-Hour, it was built as a test-bed for the later production of the DB2.

Le Mans, France. 25th – 26th June 1949. The Aston Martin DB2 cars in the pits, action. World Copyright: LAT Photographic. Ref: 49 – 17 – 16.

Fitted with the Claude Hill designed 2-litre, 4-cylinder engine, out of the three Aston Martins entered, ‘UMC 65’ was the only car to finish that year’s Le Mans, placing 7th overall, and 3rd in class. It later ran again as a Works car in the Spa 24-Hour, finishing 5th overall, 3rd in class. Following its works career it then enjoyed further racing success in the hands of various privateers, before entering the ownership of the current custodians in 1965.

Several specialist registration numbers are also offered at the Bonhams sale; ‘T6’ is estimated at £140,000-180,000, ‘SKY 1’, estimated at £50,000-70,000, ‘SLY 1’, estimated at £50,000-70,000, and ‘WWF 1’, estimated at £50,000-60,000.

More info on Bonhams

Phillips | The Revolutionary Turn-O-Graph

Not only are Turn-O-Graphs amongst Rolex’s best sellers, but 63 years after their launch, they are still considered true icons in the world of fine watches.

The Turn-O-Graph, when originally launched by Rolex in 1953, was by all measures revolutionary in the history of watchmaking and of watch design. Its main feature, a rotatable bezel, was certainly a disruptive innovation—creating an all-new market for what was then an unheard of genre—the tool watch. With its genuinely useful function, the Turn-O-Graph was soon chosen by the Thunderbirds—the United States’ elite aerobatic squadron to aide in their pilots’ navigational calculations. Recognizing the opportunity, Rolex brilliantly propelled the success of the model by calling it the “Thunderbird” in the North American market.

The very first reference, the 6202, was the first series produced wristwatch to feature a rotating bezel. It was designed to measure and record time “as a reminder of times past, for phone calls, conferences, timing, parking, and countless other ways,” as Rolex’s original advertising explained. Interestingly, the ref. 6202 was not the first Rolex model to feature such a bezel. That distinction belongs to Rolex’s Zerograph created in 1937—an elusive prototype model so rare, the fact that it exists remains a mystery until the present day.

The rotating bezel of the Turn-O-Graph was a (pardon the pun) turning point for Rolex that would become the foundation for the brand’s key sports watches, including the Submariner and GMTMaster. Not only are these models amongst Rolex’s best sellers, 63 years after the Turn-O-Graph’s launch, they are considered true icons in the world of fine watches. In the formative early years of these models, it was with the Turn-O-Graph that Rolex was most experimental, even courageous.

In the following collection of lots, we present early examples of all three case metal configurations—steel, steel and gold, and an all gold Turn-O-Graph. All are impressive in their own right, with timeless designs that make them appear young as on the day they were originally sold. Each presented in superb condition, they offer tremendous value and speak volumes about the earliest history of one of the most important categories of collectible watches today—the sports watch.

Rolex “Turn-O-Graph”, 6202, Stainless steel, 1953

Reference 6202 can be considered the first Rolex tool watch ever produced in series. With its rotating bezel calibrated to 60 units, the ground-breaking “Turn- O-Graph” can be considered the starting point of Rolex’s 60-plus years of successful sport watches. This example from 1953, the first year of the Turn-O-Graph’s production, is fitted with all of its original components, including its metal bezel insert.

The most striking visual element however is the glossy black dial with luminous hour markers surrounded by a gilt-colored outer chapter ring—retaining its beautiful luster and original luminous hour markers. This example is in remarkable condition for a watch of its age, with a sharp, well-defined case that is consistent with the state of preservation of the dial. Accompanied by the original Rolex guarantee, product literature, plastic wallet, and pouch, this watch is a tremendous value for the savvy collector.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual “Thunderbird”, 6309, 18 yellow gold, 1954

The Rolex “Turn-O-Graph” model, has in recent times achieved cult status in the Rolex collectors community. Also known as the “Thunderbird”, Rolex introduced the name for the U.S. market in the late 1950s when it began supplying the model to the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbird aerobatic squadron. The reference 6309 was the second-generation Turn-O-Graph model introduced in 1954 with an upgraded movement and produced through 1959. Fitted with a graduated, rotating bezel, the Turn-O-Graph was designed to measure elapsed time similar to a chronograph, without the cost of a complicated chronograph caliber.

It was a revolutionary design that was quickly adopted by many brands after Rolex’s introduction. The Turn-O-Graph was essentially a Datejust model, modifed to become a tool watch by the addition of the rotating bezel. The larger bezel shrunk the visible surface area of the dial, causing the original “Swiss” of the Datejust dials used to nearly disappear. On this very early example, Rolex printed a second “Swiss Made” at 6 o’clock to ensure this important designation was clearly visible.

This yellow gold watch with yellow gold bracelet was at its time of production, one of the most expensive and exclusive watches produced by Rolex. The 3.54 stamped on the bracelet clasp is absolutely consistent with the case number, and when combined with its excellent condition, it is a superb example of a very early Datejust Turn-O-Graph model for the connoisseur.

Rolex Turn-O-Graph, 6202, 18k yellow gold and stainless steel, 1954

Reference 6202 can be considered the first Rolex tool watch ever produced in series. Reference 6202 also stands out as the first Rolex sports watch to be offered in stainless steel and gold—a more luxurious version compared with the sportier stainless steel model. An audacious aesthetic, particularly for the 1950s, the two-tone version was ahead of its time. It was very quickly discontinued, explaining why only a dozen of these watches are known to date. Some two decades later, Rolex would try again, launching two-tone GMT-Master and Submariner models, to a market that was finally mature enough to appreciate the look.

The two-tone reference 6202 hereimpresses with its amazing condition. The cream-colored dial is all original with a pleasing mix of Arabic and faceted baton hour markers complemented by its original dauphine hands. The bezel is crisp with very deep relief throughout, and the engraving “Model Depose, Registered Design” on the case back remains visible to the naked eye. Complete with its original box and chronometer certificate, it’s an exceptionally rare Rolex sports watch offering great wearability and outstanding value.

More info on Phillips.com

Bonhams | Rare Warhol Painting of Mao to star at New Bond Street on 29 June

Mao, 1973, by Andy Warhol, estimated at £580,000-780,000, will be offered at the Bonhams Post War and Contemporary Art sale on 29 June.

 

Bonhams will lead the Post-War and Contemporary Art season with a spectacular Andy Warhol painting of Chairman Mao, estimated at £580,000-780,000, to be offered at New Bond Street on 29 June.

The stunning, densely-textured painting comes fresh to the market having originally been handled by the artist’s legendary dealer Leo Castelli in the 1970s. The distinctive coloration and clarity of composition makes this arguably the finest of the series ever to appear at auction. Renowned as one of Warhol’s most significant, signature images, the Mao paintings feature in many of the world’s most prestigious public and private collections worldwide.

Warhol was transfixed by the People’s Republic of China in 1971. ‘I have been reading so much about China,’ he said at the time. ‘The only picture they ever have is of Mao Zedong. It’s great. It looks like a silkscreen.’ Inspired, Warhol made his first picture of the communist leader the following year. The Mao series is based on a photograph taken from the cover of The Thoughts of Chairman Mao – otherwise known as the Little Red Book, of which almost a billion copies were printed in China, leading to an acute paper shortage during the Cultural Revolution. During the early seventies, Warhol used to carry the Little Red Book around in his pocket. Eric Shiner, director of the Andy Warhol museum, describes the artist as ‘smitten with communism – with everyone wearing the same clothes and reading the same books’.

In the early 1970s, after a decade of screenprinting, Warhol returned to painting. His Maos tend to be more painterly than his earlier pop art, developing from the relentless replication of the 60s into more personalised, one-off works combining silkscreens with gestural painted additions. This particular piece has unusually thick impasto, with expressive brushwork in subtle blue hues and a halo of vivid scarlet interrupting the almost blinding vibrancy of the acid green background.

‘It is one of the finest – if not the finest – example of Warhol’s small format Maos out there,’ said Ralph Taylor, Senior Director for the Bonhams Post-War & Contemporary Art department. ‘It’s an absolute classic, brilliantly executed, with sterling provenance. Collectors who target the very best will find much to admire with this painting.’

More info on Bonhams

Bonhams | Catalog now on line: GREENWICH CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE AUCTION

More info on Bonhams