15th-century Fifty Excelentes, struck under the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, perhaps the most important coin in the Hispanic Society of America's trove, sold through Sotheby'sThis just in from Sotheby's, in response to my query regarding its sealed-bid auction, which ended yesterday, of 37,895 Spanish coins owned since 1949 by the Hispanic Society of America:We are very … [Read more...] about News Flash: Hispanic Society’s Collection of 37,895 Spanish Coins Finds Buyer
Archives for March 2012
Preservationist Alert: Important Paul Rudolph Building in Goshen May Be Knocked Down
Paul Rudolph's Orange County Government Center, Goshen, completed in 1971 [More on this: here, here and here.] It's on the World Monuments Fund's 2012 Watch List of endangered cultural-heritage sites. But what the WMF may soon "watch" is the demolition of the building that it has called one of Brutalist American architect Paul Rudolph's "greatest achievements" … [Read more...] about Preservationist Alert: Important Paul Rudolph Building in Goshen May Be Knocked Down
Met Displays Controversial $13.7-Million “Commander,” Sold by Princess Diana’s Brother
The Metropolitan Museum appears to have gotten a spectacular (although unannounced) present in time for last December's holiday season. According to a Met spokesperson, you should be able to enjoy this treat in the galleries at least until August, when it may go back to its lender. As I exited through the old masters galleries after my second viewing (on Dec. 23) of the … [Read more...] about Met Displays Controversial $13.7-Million “Commander,” Sold by Princess Diana’s Brother
Hear Me Now: My WNYC Commentary on the Shepard Fairey Case
I finally did manage to obtain the audio for my very brief soundbite heard last Friday on New York Public Radio, WNYC, regarding Shepard Fairey's guilty plea to criminal charges involving his previously admitted destruction of documents and manufacturing of evidence. He thereby seriously compounded his legal difficulties that arose in connection with the appropriation … [Read more...] about Hear Me Now: My WNYC Commentary on the Shepard Fairey Case
Despite Strong 2011, Sotheby’s Stock Slides on Fourth-Quarter Decline
Today's fluctuations, so far, in Sotheby's stock Despite boasting the second-best annual financial results in its history (only outstripped in pre-crash 2007), Sotheby's has been watching its stock price slip today (down more than 9% from yesterday's close, at this writing), after reporting late yesterday afternoon a 25.7% decline in its net income for the fourth quarter of … [Read more...] about Despite Strong 2011, Sotheby’s Stock Slides on Fourth-Quarter Decline