Save this: Lot. 174 – 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta “Tour de France”

Lot 174 – 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’

RM Sotheby’s will reprise its role as the official auction house of Florida’s renowned Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, with the presentation of its 18th annual collector car sale at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton, March 12. From coachbuilt classics to modern supercars loaded with the latest in automotive technology, the handpicked roster of 90+ automobiles spans over a century of automotive styling and design.

Entries for the March sale are led by a handsome 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Spezial Cabriolet A, chassis no. 408371. A one-off design featuring a bevy of special features including a raked vee’d windshield, louvered front hood, fitted luggage and five-speed transmission, this stunning 540 K boasts an exceptional provenance highlighted by some of the most famous names in the hobby (Est. $3,000,000 – $4,000,000).

• a 1932 Ford Model 18 Edsel Ford Speedster; the first of three one-off custom speedsters designed by Bob Gregorie for Edsel Ford, this once long lost and now beautifully restored Ford has never before been offered for public sale (Est. $1,200,000 – $1,400,000);
• a 1953 Siata 300 BC Barchetta by Bertone, campaigned in Pennsylvania hill climbs and ice races in period and offered in largely original condition from its owner of an incredible 60 years (Est. $200,000 – $250,000);
• a 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra, CSX 2188, the recipient of an exacting restoration by marque experts and stunning in black over red with chrome wire wheels (Est. $950,000 – $1,200,000);
• a 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO, the first 288 GTO officially delivered in Japan (Est. $2,300,000 – $2,600,000); and,
• a 2014 Pagani Huayra, a design and performance masterpiece capable of sprinting 0 – 60 in just 3.0 seconds and showing less than 400 miles from new (Est. $1,900,000 – $2,200,000).

In addition to its traditional automobile offering, RM Sotheby’s is proud to support the fundraising initiatives of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance via the presentation of a series of charity lots at the start of the March 12 auction, with proceeds benefiting Spina Bifida of Jacksonville.

A complete list of offerings is found in the digital catalogue, now available for downloading here. Further information, hi-res images and interview opportunities with RM Sotheby’s specialists are available and can be easily arranged upon request. Additionally, we’d like to take this opportunity to extend you an invite to join us at the event where an exciting range of media opportunities will be available. To register for media credentials, please click here.

1956 JAGUAR D-TYPE WORKS “LONG NOSE” LEADS RM SOTHEBY’S RETURN TO ARIZONA

 

• RM Sotheby’s returns to the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa for its 17^thannual sale in Phoenix, January 28 – 29, 2016
• Two-day auction presents diverse roster of more than 100 blue-chip automobiles
• Early sports and racing highlights led by a rare 1956 Jaguar D-Type Works ‘Long Nose’
• Further information and frequently updated list of entries available online at www.rmsothebys.com

BLENHEIM, Ontario (October 27, 2015) – RM Sotheby’s, the world’s largest auction house for investment quality automobiles, will present more than 100 hand-selected motor cars from some of the most iconic automotive marques at its 17^th annual Arizona sale, returning January 28 – 29 to Phoenix. Held at the stunning Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, the two-day auction will build on RM’s strongest performance at the venue to date in 2015, an event which generated an incredible $63.7 million and witnessed the sale of the most valuable automobile in Arizona auction history. In keeping with past tradition, entries for the 2016 sale offer tremendous diversity, ranging from pre-war classics through to important sports and racing greats and contemporary supercars. 

Coming out of the gate strong, early highlights for the January auction are led by a 1956 Jaguar D-Type Works ‘Long Nose’, chassis no. XKD 604, the first of just six works long-nose examples built for the 1956 season, the final year of Jaguar’s D-Type racing effort. Throughout 1955, the Jaguar experimental department had been developing an independent, de Dion rear suspension, along with fuel injection for petrol delivery, and decided to incorporate these innovations into the first car built for the 1956 Jaguar works team.Following testing by Jaguar’s famed test engineer, Norman Dewis, XKD 604’s first competitive outing came at the Daily Express Silverstone event in May 1956; with Desmond Titterington behind the wheel, the featured Jaguar competed alongside two other works team cars. While the length of the Silverstone race did not warrant using the still novel Lucas mechanical fuel injection over the tried and true Weber carbs, XKD 604 was the only D-Type raced with an independent rear axle. At season’s end, the team cars were retired and XKD 604 was acquired by renowned Scottish racing team, Ecurie Ecosse, where it remained in storage until the team closed its doors in 1971. The Long Nose was eventually obtained by Scotsman Jim Tester in the 1970s, and later passed onto Michael Fisher of Britain, who commissioned its restoration by marque experts to original fuel-injected specification in 1986. It was then imported into the U.S. in 1992, landing with the vendor in 2004.

In recent years, the D-Type has been displayed at numerous hobby events, including the 2011 Monterey Motorsports Reunion, where it was part of the Jaguar Heritage Display, as well as at the 2012 Dana Point Concours d’Elegance, where it received the Featured Marque Award. XKD 604 comes to auction as a fantastic example of a very rare breed, ready to return to the track (Estimate available upon request).

“We’re thrilled to return to the Biltmore following what has been another record-setting year for RM Sotheby’s,” says Ian Kelleher, Managing Director, RM Sotheby’s West Coast Division. “Arizona represents one of our strongest venues on the auction calendar, and we’re always working to secure the most desirable, fresh-to-market vehicles for this true collector car destination. The long-nose D-Type is a perfect example, as it has not changed hands in more than a decade, and offers a number of untapped historic event participation opportunities for its next enthusiast owner.”

Additional early European highlights secured for RM’s Arizona sale include a desirable array of Ferraris spanning several decades of the famed marque’s history. Leading the group is a U.S.-specification 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta, chassis no. 14819, finished in its factory-original colors of bright Giallo Fly over Nero, fitted with factory air-conditioning, and having travelled less than 27,000 miles from new (Est. $700,000 – $800,000). Representing two points in the Testarossa’s evolution are a 1991 Ferrari Testarossa, chassis no. 87482, with just 4900 miles on the odometer and originally owned by Luigi Della Grotta, a friend of Enzo Ferrari’s and the first importer of Ferraris into Canada (Est. $225,000 – $300,000, offered without reserve), along with a potent 1995 Ferrari F512 M, chassis no. 100154, one of just five delivered new to the U.S. in striking Giallo Modena paintwork (Est. $400,000 – $500,000). The modern era prancing horse is offered in the form of a rare 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta, chassis no. 182788, one of only 80 examples produced and showing a mere 1200 miles from new (Est. $1,100,000 – $1,500,000).

RM’s sale will also present two very different yet equally desirable examples of Porsche’s timeless 911 design, each offered without reserve. The pair includes a highly original, well-optioned and numbers-matching 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera, chassis no. 9306800074, a California car finished in Grand Prix White with a Cinnamon leather interior (Est. $225,000 – $275,000); and, a 1968 Porsche 911 S ‘Soft Window’ Targa, chassis no. 11850368, the recipient of a recent nut-and-bolt restoration by marque specialists, complete with a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity (Est. $200,000 – $250,000).

Leading up to the sale, the Arizona Biltmore will host the Arizona Concours d’Elegance, January 24, of which RM Sotheby’s is a proud sponsor, creating an ideal destination for enthusiasts looking to enjoy a week of classic car camaraderie.

For further information, or to discuss limited consignment opportunities for the Arizona sale, please visit www.rmsothebys.com or contact an RM Sotheby’s car specialist at +1 310 559 4575.

 

 

 

Sotheby’s to offer Matisse “Odalisque au fauteuil noir”, est. £9-12 milion – London, Feb. 2015

Una delle celebri “Odalische” di Matisse all’asta “Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale” di Sotheby’s a Londra il 3 febbraio 2015.

Helena Newman, co-direttore del dipartimento “Impressionist & Modern Art Worldwide” di Sotheby’s, ha dichiarato: “Dopo il più alto risultato complessivo mai raggiunto dal nostro dipartimento, con l’asta di New York “Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale”, possiamo ragionevolmente prevedere un altro record a Londra con Matisse. Questo eccezionale dipinto è uno dei più belli del celebre “ciclo delle Odalische” . Il 2014 è stato un anno estremamente eccitante per il mercato dell’arte impressionista e moderna che Sotheby’s continua a guidare per il quarto anno consecutivo”.

Il ritratto raffigurante la Principessa Nézy-Hamide Chawkat, nipote dell’ultimo sultano di Turchia, “Odalisque au fauteuil noir” (datato 1942 e stimato tra £ 9-12 milioni) è una delle più belle opere di Henri Matisse appartenente al suo famoso “ciclo delle Odalische” con il quale l’artista ha creato uno degli emblemi più riconoscibili dell’erotismo nell’arte moderna.

Matisse aveva incontrato per caso la Principessa Nézy, come veniva chiamata, e affascinato dal suo suggestivo sguardo, le chiese formalmente di posare per lui. Per i successivi due anni è stata la sua modella prediletta. E’ stato solo quando la principessa ha lasciato Nizza per sposarsi nel 1942 che Matisse ha cercato una nuova musa.

“Odalisca au fauteuil noir” riflette l’interesse di Matisse per l’Orientalismo, che aveva dapprima esplorato nel 1920 e che ha richiamato la sua attrazione per i colori vivaci.

“Io dipingo odalische per dipingere il nudo. Ma come fare del nudo, senza che questo appaia fittizio?. E poi le dipingo perché so che esistono realmente. Sono stato in Marocco e le ho viste” (Henri Matisse, 1929).

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One Of The Finest of Matisse’s Celebrated ‘Odalisque’ Paintings From the Peak of the Artist’s Career

A Highlight Unveiled Ahead of Sotheby’s London Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale 3rd February 2015. Helena Newman, Sotheby’s Co-Head, Impressionist & Modern Art Worldwide, said: “Following our highest-ever sale total for our Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale in New York, we are delighted to announce a highly desirable highlight of our forthcoming London sale, Henri Matisse’s Odalisque au fauteuil noir. This exquisitely coloured painting is one of the finest of the artist’s celebrated ‘Odalisque’ paintings to come to the market. 2014 has been an extremely exciting year for the Impressionist & Modern Art market, which Sotheby’s continues to lead for the fourth successive year, and it is with great anticipation that we look to our February 2015 sale.”

An exquisite portrait depicting Princess Nézy-Hamidé Chawkat, the great granddaughter of the last Sultan of Turkey, Odalisque au fauteuil noir (dated 1942 and estimated at £9-12m) is one of Henri Matisse’s finest paintings from his famed ‘Odalisque’ series, his depictions of the notorious concubine figure, with which he created one of the most recognisable emblems of eroticism in Modern art.

Princess Nézy, as she was known, was spotted in the street by Matisse in 1940, who was drawn to her striking dark looks. Following a formal request, the Princess’s grandmother granted permission for the princess to sit for Matisse – accompanied by a chaperone – and over the course of almost two years she became his favourite model. It was only when the princess left Nice to be married in 1942 that Matisse looked for a new model.

A dazzling composition of pattern and colour, Odalisque au fauteuil noir reflects Matisse’s interest in Orientalism, which he had first explored in the 1920s and drew on his attraction to the vibrant colours, fabric and patterns that were so evocative of the Orient.