The Quarrymen holds the record for recording a cover song of legendary Buddy Holly called “That’ll Be The Day” and it is worth around US$200,000.00.

Photo Credit: MEN Photo Credit: russelljsmith

If you are trying to remember if you ever heard of them, do not despair because 99% of the music lovers in the whole world probably do not know this band. The only reason this record ever gained value is because three members of the Quarrymen went on to formed the most successful and probably the most legendary band in the history of music, The Beatles.

George Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney along with two other guys formed a group called The Quarrymen. Since most of them are attending a school called Quarry Banks, they decided to create a band, which lasted only until 1958. The other two guys left the band, added another guy by the name of Ringo Starr and the rest is history.

Currently, Paul McCartney is the owner of the most expensive record. The monetary value of US$200,000.00 was given my music industry experts along with antique specialists.

Vases from china are indeed quite special especially this one particular vase worth US$10,122,558.  It was created way back in the Ming Dynasty in China between 1368 - 1644.

It is a porcelain vase that was created using what they call the firing techniques of porcelain vase making. 

The treasured and most expensive vase was purchased from in pristine condition from the Christie’s Imperial HK Sale by Casino mogul and art collector Steve Wynn who was often been ridiculed for purchasing second rate items for astronomical amounts.

However, on this instance he redeemed himself from his critics. Steve Wynn also surprised everyone when he returned the said vase to China by donating the US$10 million plus Ming vase to a Macau museum instead of keeping it to his personal collection.

It is amazing how one vase, which does not look that much different from the other porcelain vases, unless of course you have an expert’s eye, value that much be regarded as rare most especially when so many forgeries was also made during the Ming Dynasty as to protect the original ones.

However, we can be assured that it was the original one since the Chinese also printed guides on how to detect the fake ones.

Photo Credit: Luxist

High-tech digital cameras are quite expensive gadgets in the 21st century but they are not necessarily the most expensive. Surprisingly, the most expensive camera in the world is a Daguerrotype camera built by Susse Freres back in 1839.

You would think that when it comes to functionality, people would put more value on the latest technology. I already know that there is money in antiques especially when it’s a product of craftsmanship or art; however, we are talking here about gadgets.

Anyway, experts refer to it as the world’s oldest commercially produced camera. It was auctioned back in 2007 in Vienna, Austria with a world record amount of EUR 576,000. A private collector was said to have purchased the camera.

Another camera holds the record for the most expensive portable camera in the world. It is the Leica No, 107 from the Leica 0-series produced by Oscar Barnack. It was quite a historical piece because it was one of the only 21 Leica cameras that were built in order to test the marketability of portable cameras back in1923. Apparently, according to records, this particular camera was the very first Leica to have been exported to New York for patent purposes.

It was sold for an amount of EUR 336,000 also in Vienna, Austria conducted by Westlicht Auction House.

Photo Credit: Westlicht

Do you ever wonder why it is an investment to purchase a Patek Philippe watch? It is because they are classic and well engineered. They won’t be regarded as the Rolls Royce of watches if they are not that upscale. Even up to this day, watch connoisseurs bid for them when they are being auctioned.

They produce less compared to Rolex and yet more people demand for their timepieces. The strength of a resale of Patek Philippe watches is quite amazing. Collectors and watch enthusiasts are fascinated with how much devotion was placed on each creation.

They boast of a clientele that are from the most elite, the wealthiest, the most powerful, true-blue royals from different continents of the world. If you are one of those who love to collect watches, enjoy looking at the following Patek Philippe that was auctioned in the past.

Left: US$ 1,779,573, Patek Philippe, circa 1944. It is a rare white gold chronograph wristwatch.      

Right: US$ 1,678,963, Patek Philippe, circa 1939. A unique pink gold with enamel dial of different continents.

Left: US$ 337,500 Patek Philippe, circa 1895. Right: US$ 900,915 Patek Philippe, circa 1940s. 

Photo Credit: Timezone

Peter Carl Faberge created the Faberge Eggs as commissioned by Russia’s Tsar Alexander III to be given as Easter gifts to his beloved wife, Tsarina Maria Feodorovna. The uniquely and lavishly designed Faberge Easter Egg collection started with ‘The First Hen Egg’ as I have mentioned from one of my previous posts and as promised here’s part two of the Faberge collection and their whereabouts.

The Court of  Tsar Alexander III and Tsarina Maria of Russia

The first 10 Faberge eggs out of the 69 Faberge eggs are called Imperial Eggs. These eggs was specifically created and actually delivered to the Tsarina Maria from 1885 up to 1894.  From the 10 eggs only seven are accounted for: The First Hen Egg (1885), Blue Serpent Clock Egg (1887), Danish Palaces Egg (1890), Memory of Azov Egg (1891), Diamond Trellis Egg (1892), Caucasus Egg and the Renaissance Egg (1894).

The other three went missing: Hen Egg with Sapphire Pendant (1886), Cherub with Chariot Egg (1888), Necessaire Egg/Pearl Egg (1889) and up to this day, historians, collectors and art enthusiasts are at a loss on where to look for them. I personally hope they are somewhere stashed away along with someone’s personal collection. It would be so unfortunate if they were destroyed, with such intricate design, all should be given a chance to admire them.

The beauty of the eggs are not only limited to the outside design because each egg has a surprise inside, which is the Tsar’s only requirement. Here are some of them:

The Danish Palaces Egg - Owned by The Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation but is on loan to the Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art in Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Memory of Azov Egg - Owned by: Kremlin Armoury Museum in Russia

Caucasus Egg - Owned by The Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation

Blue Serpent Egg - Owned by the Estate of Prince Rainier III of Monaco

Photo Credit: Wiki, Miek

The Faberge Eggs are one of the most expensive and unique Russian work of art. They were made by an imperial goldsmith/jeweler in Russia named Peter Carl Faberge.

Faberge’s previous work prior to the eggs caught the eyes of the wife of Russia’s Tsar Alexander III, Tsarina Maria Fyodorovna and so Karl Faberge was appointed “Supplier to the Court of His Imperial Majesty” in 1885.  During that same year, the Tsar commissioned Faberge to make a unique Easter Egg for his wife.

Thus, the very first Faberge Easter Egg was created and named aptly as First Hen Egg. Faberge was given full creative supervision for the eggs although the Tsar’s main requirement for the eggs was that it must contain a surprise inside.

Karl Faberge very first Imperial Easter Egg has the simplest design. It is very different from the rest of his collection, which were so elaborately designed. It is just an enameled opaque white shell resembling that of an egg, however, when you open it, it would reveal a golden yolk with multi-colored golden hen, a diamond replica of the crown and ruby pendant, thus, the surprise the Tsar required.

If you are asking how much it is right now, it is probably worth millions of dollars not only because gold and precious stones were used but also because of the historical significance it has since it is the very first egg. Just compare it to last year’s Faberge Egg Auction at Christie’s. It was sold at USD$18.5M. It was the Rothschild Clock Egg, an egg that was given as an engagement gift.

More on that particular bejewelled egg and the complete collection of the Faberge Eggs and their whereabouts on my next couple of posts.

Photo Credit: Treasures, Biblioteca

Americans are so patriotic that anything and everything about them, may it be past or present is such a huge deal for them especially if its about George Washington.  It is this fact that all their personal effects or anything connected to them are highly valuable and whenever a new item is discovered and entered into an auction, it attracts a lot of media attention and eventually draws a large number of bidders.

Photo Credit @ Solar

Some of those bidders either placed them on their personal collection or donate them to a museum.

Here are some of those personal effects of the George Washington, America’s first president that can be found at the Smithsonian:

A chair is his bedroom at Mount Vernon during the 1760s up to the 1790s which was said to where President Washington usually sat and was seen sitting before he died. When his wife died, the furniture and the rest of items from their estate were inherited by the first lady’s granddaughter in 1802. U.S. Congress raised enough funds to acquire the items and in 1883 they were displayed at the Smithsonian.

Washington’s battle sword and scabbard from 1770s which he always carries during the Revolutionary War.  He then left the sword to Samuel Washington, his nephew, an Army Captain in the Continental Army with specific instruction that he can only use the sword to defend himself and his country.  By 1843, Samuel Washington donated it to the U.S. government and later on was given to the Smithsonian for safekeeping.

Washington’s army uniform when he was still a general and when he became the commander-in-chief.  A uniform coat, a waistcoast and breeches is being displayed at the Smithsonian since 1883.  These articles of clothing were not worn by Washington together but he wore each item on a different event or time in his life.

Washington’s tent during the Revolutionary War in 1776.  Historical records show that around three tents were made for his use.  Those tents were made by Plunkett Fleeson, a known upholsterer in Philadelphia.  After his death, it was passed on to his adopted grandson who later on donated it to the U. S. government and eventually can be found at the Smithsonian.

Photo Credit @ Smithsonian

Political Collectibles are abundant these past few months, most especially this past couple of weeks as political national conventions were held in America. Both Democrats and Republicans are rallying to campaign either Barack Omaba or John McCain to be the next President come November.

Photo Credit @ essentialestro

What do we usually see during conventions or campaign trail, lots and lots of campaign materials. After all the speeches and a new one is sitting in the White House, there are many collectors who go for the different buttons, badges, t-shirts, etc and save then in their own treasure box.

This summer, an 1896 Chicago Democratic convention badge was sold in an auction with a price of $358.00. Another political memorabilia was sold for $168.00. It was a presidential campaign button for Dwight D. Eisenhower marked with “It’s time for a change” and “I like Ike”.

Collectors can save a couple or two of buttons with the faces of McCain or Obama and they might fetch a good amount of money in the future.

Photo Credit: kovels

Photo Credit: Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

The Japanese love for decorative paintings and calligraphy are very much depicted on their Byobu or Japanese screens.

These beautifully handcrafted folding screens can be traced back to the Han Dynasty in China and was originally created to protect people from the wind. They were produced to prevent air or wind from entering the rooms. It was in the 8th century when Japanese craftsmen began producing byobu or Japanese screens. Their first works were highly influenced by those from the Chinese merchants.

Originally, it is only a single standing panel but later on a multi-paneled was introduced during the Nara Period. It became a six-paneled screen. They are made of silk and often tied by either leather or silk ribbons bounded in a wooden frame.

It first graced the Imperial Court then during the 9th century, families in the affluent community used them as part of their furnishings and Buddhist temples used them as well. This is also the time when metal hinges were introduced to connect the panels instead of using silk or leather cords.

Then as centuries passed by, it has become more popular in Japan as you see them in every Japanese home and business shop. They discover how to overlap paper hinges so it will be light and easier to carry. The artists were also able to draw or paint scenic themes uninterrupted by the frame structure.

These days, Japanese screens circa 1868-1912 will fetch around USD$3000 and more depending upon its condition and materials used. Just like Antique Hand Fans, they are now a valued item.

Check this online shop for different antique byobu’s.

Photo Credit: Leposava

The origin of folded fans has been traced back to Japan.  They invented it. It became a necessity as well as an accessory. From Japan, the used of the fans went like a wildfire to China, Portugal up to the European nations particularly the English and Spanish. Do not confused it with the hand fans that can be traced back during the ancient times in Egypt wherein the fans are permanently fixed with a handle.

Photo Credit: Tansan

In recent times, folded hand fans is regarded as a lady’s item but in the past the Japanese, Chinese and Englishmen are known to carry and use fans everyday.

It started as a practical item for people to use whenever it’s hot or warm. Later on, as it became more fashionable, the designs became more lavish. Some were designed with feathers, hand painted silk, ivory or tortoise sticks. The French became more extravagant as it sometimes matches the dress that the ladies are wearing.

Fans created before 1800 are valued more especially if the sticks are made out of mother of pearls or ivory.

Check out these sites for designs and prices: MariaNiforos, Collector’sWeekly.