$4.18 Million Realized in Heritage Inaugural Natural History Auction Outstanding results were posted in Heritage Auction Galleries inaugural Natural History Auction, held Sunday, January 20 in Dallas, Texas. $4,187,227 was realized for 418 lots
News-Antique.com - Jan 26,2008 - DALLAS, TX: Outstanding results were posted in Heritage Auction Galleries inaugural Natural History Auction, held Sunday, January 20 in Dallas, Texas. $4,187,227 was realized for 418 lots, including superb examples of dinosauria, fossils, minerals, and more.
"While the highest price was paid for the 'Boot of Cortez' - the largest gold nugget ever found in the Western hemisphere, which brought $1,553,500 and was purchased by an anonymous American philanthropist who wishes to see it return to public display in the very near future - the real star of the show was the spectacular four-tusked 'Lone Star' mastodon skull that realized $191,200," said Jim Halperin, Co-Chairman of Dallas-based Heritage.
"The massive mastodon skull, originally unearthed in a gravel pit in La Grange, Texas, was sold on behalf of the Mount Blanco Fossil Museum in Crosbyton, Texas, and brought $191,200," said David Herskowitz, Director of Natural History auctions for Heritage. "A significant and important piece, as it is the largest Mastodon skull ever discovered, it was an honor to bring this incredible piece to auction, and I'm pleased to report that it will stay in the Southwest, having been purchased by a collector from that region."
"Other outstanding examples of dinosauria received significant attention," Hershkowitz said, "including an beautifully preserved, near-complete icthyosaur skeleton that realized $239,000, a large lizard perfectly preserved in prehistoric amber that attained $143,400, and a truly spectacular Mososaurus skull, which sold for $104,562."
"Gems and minerals were another popular area, Herskowitz said, "with a slice from a rare a desirable gemstone meteorite bringing $155,350, and a beautiful tourmaline cluster, displaying stunning pinks, blues, and greens, realizing $66,725."
"This was a very exciting auction," Herskowitz said, "and we're already hard at work assembling material for our next, to be held June 8, 2008, in Dallas, Texas. I'd invite anyone interested to keep an eye on our website at www.HA.com, where they'll be able to watch the auction as it grows."
Highlights of the auction included:
The Largest Gold Nugget From The Western Hemisphere - Boot Of Cortez:
For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.
Prospective consignors and sellers of illustration art are invited to visit www.HA.com/Sell. Or simply email David Herskowitz at DavidH@HA.com or call (800) 872-6467, ext. 1610.
To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalogue, please contact
