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Life-Size Labubu Doll Sells for Over $150,000 at Beijing Auction

June 12, 2025, 3:13 pm

A life-sized Labubu doll has broken a new record after it fetched a whopping 1.08 million yuan ($150,324 or £110,465), as stated by the Yongle International Auction house in Beijing. The 131cm (4ft 4in) doll is now the world’s most expensive of its type.

Designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, Labubu dolls are strange monster-like figures that have gained popularity, particularly after being endorsed by international celebrities. The dolls are normally retailed for only about 50 yuan by Chinese toy retailer Pop Mart.

The auction, which was fully sponsored by Labubu collectibles, comprised 48 items and attracted approximately 200 participants. A total of 3.37 million yuan was raised during the event.

Overnight Popularity of Labubu Dolls

Labubu dolls have recently become very popular around the world, partly because they have appeared commonly in social media posts by Lisa of the K-pop band Blackpink. Rihanna and Dua Lipa have also featured the dolls, and even David Beckham shared a picture of one hanging off his bag on Instagram.

The online toy craze on sites such as TikTok is responsible for creating high demand. Even in the UK, Pop Mart had to pull up Labubu dolls from shelves due to shop customer violence.

The Chinese toy firm is also popular for its ‘blind boxes’, in which customers have no idea what the design of the figurine is when they purchase it. This blind format has been partly responsible for the cult following enjoyed by the brand.

Labubu’s runaway popularity has pushed Pop Mart to double sales to 13 million yuan in 2024, and the firm expanded into five new nations during the last year, including Spain and Italy.

Rare ‘Golconda Blue’ Diamond Set for Christie’s Auction

April 28, 2025, 3:27 pm

A historic and rare Golconda vivid blue diamond, previously belonging to the Maharaja of Indore, Yeshwant Rao Holkar, will be sold at Christie’s on May 14. The diamond is over 23 carats and will fetch between $35 million and $50 million, with sources suggesting it might become the largest fancy blue diamond ever sold publicly.

The history of the diamond is traced to 1913 when Indore’s ruler, Tukoji Rao Holkar III, purchased the well-known Indore Pear diamonds from French luxury jeweler Chaumet. A decade later, he asked Chaumet to mount the Golconda Blue in a bracelet. In 1933, Holkar appointed Parisian jewelry firm Mauboussin as official jeweler, prompting the production of a long flowing necklace featuring the Golconda Blue and the Indore Pears.

New York jeweler Harry Winston bought the Indore Pears in 1946 and then cut them into 44.14 and 46.39 carats and incorporated them into his own collection. He added to his collection the Golconda Blue diamond when he acquired it in January of 1947 and mounted it in a brooch, combined with a 23-carat white diamond. Winston subsequently sold the brooch to the Maharaja of Baroda, prior to repurchasing and remanufacturing it as a new design item, ending the diamond’s association with Indian royalty.

Christie’s has reported that the present owners of the diamond are the ones who decided to sell it within the family, and they are keen on going in for a sale. A Christie’s representative said, “The historic provenance of the Golconda Blue, revealed through Christie’s research, has created significant market interest and widespread excitement internationally.” They also made it clear that the sale was a personal one and had nothing to do with financial considerations, like tariffs or the movement of the market.

Titanic Survivor’s Rare Letter Sells for Rs. 3.4 Crore at Auction

April 27, 2025, 12:16 pm

A lettercard penned on board the Titanic by one of its most well-known survivors, only days before the vessel sank, has been auctioned for 300,000 pounds (about $399,000).

The letter, written by first-class passenger Archibald Gracie on April 10, 1912, was to the great-uncle of the seller. In it, Gracie wrote about the ship: “It is a fine ship but I shall await my journeys end before I pass judgment on her.”

The letter, sold by Henry Aldridge & Son of Wiltshire, England, was bought by a US private collector on Saturday. It went for a much higher price than the pre-sale price of 60,000 pounds.

Take a look at the letter:

Titanic Survivor’s Rare Letter

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge described the letter as an ‘exceptional museum grade piece’. It is the sole known surviving copy of a letter Gracie wrote on board the Titanic, which sank off the coast of Newfoundland after hitting an iceberg, killing around 1,500 people on its maiden voyage.

Gracie had boarded the Titanic in Southampton on 10 April 1912 and remained in first-class cabin C51. After the collision, he jumped into the sea and managed to scramble onto an upturned collapsible boat. He was subsequently rescued by passengers in a lifeboat and brought aboard the R.M.S. Carpathia.

After his rescue, Gracie wrote an account of his terrifying ordeal in the book The Truth about the Titanic, one of the most extensive eyewitness accounts of the tragedy. Gracie never managed to shake the effects of the hypothermia he experienced that evening, though, and died later in 1912 as a result of diabetes complications.

The letter was dated from Queenstown, Ireland, one of the two stops the Titanic had planned to make before it met its unfortunate demise.

Charizard-Shaped Cheeto Fetches Rs. 77 Lakh at Auction

March 6, 2025, 7:12 pm

On March 2, 2025, a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto in the form of a Pokémon was sold for a whopping $87,840 (Rs 77 lakh) at an auction in the United States. The snack, named “Cheetozard,” was put up for sale by Goldin Auctions, which is headquartered in Runnemede, New Jersey. The three-inch Cheeto was sold to a collector who beat 59 others to it at a final bid of $72,000.

Description of the Cheetozard

The auction description provided the following description of the collectible:
“Offered here is a 3-inch Flamin’ Hot Cheeto in the form of the Pokémon Charizard, mounted on a personalized Pokémon card and sealed within a clear card storage case.”

The Cheetozard had been unearthed and preserved between 2018 and 2022 by 1st & Goal Collectibles. Its popularity was greatly increased towards the end of 2024 on social media, which was part of the auction hype.

Auction Details and Final Price

The last bid, with the buyer’s premium, reached Rs 76,50,965. It was a steep increase from its initial listing value of $250 (about Rs 21,771). Cheetozard’s sale made quite an impression, and it became the second-highest bid at the 2025 February Pop Culture Elite Auction where 1,464 lots were sold.

Most Expensive Lot and Competitive Bidding

Interestingly, the highest-priced item in the auction was a mint 1998 Japanese Pokémon Illustrator card, which went for $195,200. In the meantime, Cheetozard generated a lot of interest, with bidding starting as early as mid-February when it was initially posted on Goldin’s website.

Until the end of February, 34 bids had raised its price to $9,900 (Rs 8,61,825). Two bids on March 1 took it to $11,400 (Rs 9,92,405). At the auction time, the price kept increasing with 24 more bids before selling.

Cheetozard Sets the Record as the Most Expensive Cheeto

In its last sale, Cheetozard became the costliest Cheeto to be auctioned. Before it, the record was shared by a Pikachu-shaped Cheeto, which sold for $25,001 (Rs 21,76,592) through eBay.

Rare Banksy Artwork Fetches $5.5 Million at London Auction

March 5, 2025, 7:29 pm

A unique work by street artist Banksy, ‘Crude Oil (Vettriano)’, was sold for close to 4.3 million pounds ($5.5 million) at a Sotheby’s sale in London on Tuesday. The painting reworks the famous ‘The Singing Butler’ by Scottish artist Jack Vettriano. The sale follows just one day after news of Vettriano’s death at the age of 73.

Vettriano’s own painting, ‘The Singing Butler’, which shows a pair of formally dressed people dancing on the wind-swept beach with the help of a butler and a maid, both carrying umbrellas, broke a Scottish record in 2004 at £744,800 and broke into the UK’s top-selling print reproduction, outselling even those by Monet and Van Gogh. Banksy’s take, titled ‘Crude Oil (Vettriano)’ or ‘Toxic Beach’, remakes the scene with an oil tanker sinking in the background and two figures in hazmat suits rolling a barrel of poisonous rubbish onto the beach.

Sotheby’s defined the artwork as an expression of contemporary 21st-century concerns such as pollution, the environment, and capitalism. “Banksy employed his signature sense of humour and irony to create a work that addresses contemporary issues of the 21st century, including the environment, pollution and the capitalist landscape,” they commented. “The artwork was more relevant today than ever before due to the mounting number of natural disasters.”

The work of art initially debuted during Banksy’s 2005 exhibition ‘Crude Oils: A Gallery of Re-mixed Masterpieces, Vandalism and Vermin’. Mark Hoppus, US musician and Blink-182 co-founder, had bought it for his family and subsequently sold the painting. Hoppus spoke of his personal connection to the painting, saying, “It’s witnessed laughter and tears and parties and fights. Our son has grown up in front of it.” He also said he intended to spend some of the money to buy pieces from up-and-coming artists.

The sale came as tributes were paid to Vettriano, whose paintings won over the commercial market despite their rejection by the art elite. Even though he was a popular artist, Vettriano continued to be dismissive of his critics, once attributing their dislike of him to their huge commercial success. In 2015, he repelled critics who had condemned his work as ‘brainless’ and ‘dim erotica’, saying they didn’t enjoy an artist “who is as popular as me because it cuts down on part of their authority.”

Vettriano, who came from a poor background in an industrial coastal town in eastern Scotland, started his art life later in life. He began painting after being given a box of watercolors for his 21st birthday. Although he lacked elite approval, his paintings adorned homes and galleries across the globe.

Banksy, famous for his uncompromising murals and stenciled works of art, is one of the most mysterious artists alive today. He typically gives a social or political message in his paintings, and has sold some of his paintings for tens of millions of dollars at auction.

Mark Hoppus, along with the sale, will contribute a portion of the proceeds to two Los Angeles medical charities and the California Fire Foundation, supporting victims of wildfires earlier in the year.

Lemon Sold For Gold? Discover How A Temple Auction Turned A Lemon Into A Rs 13,000 Treasure!

March 1, 2025, 7:02 am

In a striking display of devotion and generosity, a lemon was auctioned off for an impressive ₹13,000 at the Pazhamathinny Karuppa Eswaran Temple in Vilakethi during the annual Maha Shivaratri festivities. The event, marked by spirited bidding, showcased the community’s deep-rooted faith and commitment to sacred traditions.

Auction Highlights

During the public auction, devotees eagerly bid on various sacred items, including a lemon, a silver ring, and a silver coin presented before the deity. The lemon, integral to certain religious rituals, drew considerable attention. Ultimately, Thangaraj emerged as the winning bidder, securing the lemon for ₹13,000. In another notable bid, Chidambaram of Arachalur acquired the silver ring for ₹43,100.

A Tradition of High-Stakes Bidding

The practice of auctioning temple offerings is a longstanding tradition in Tamil Nadu, believed to bring prosperity to families that possess these sacred items. This custom has seen some astonishing figures in the past; for example, at a temple in Villupuram last year, over nine lemons were auctioned for a collective sum exceeding ₹2.36 lakh, with one individual lemon fetching as much as ₹50,500.

Cultural and Economic Significance

Temple auctions like this not only reflect the profound faith of the local community but also highlight the cultural and economic importance of these events. The funds generated often support local causes and contribute to the upkeep of the temple, strengthening the bond between the community and its religious institutions.

This year’s auction at the Pazhamathinny Karuppa Eswaran Temple serves as a powerful reminder of how cultural traditions and religious fervor continue to influence everyday life in Tamil Nadu, transforming simple offerings into symbols of prosperity and communal unity.

UK Auction: Historic Garland Worn By Gandh-ji During Dandi March Fails To Find A Buyer

December 13, 2024, 9:37 am

A historic tinselled garland, gifted to Mahatma Gandhi during the legendary Dandi March in 1930, did not sell at a recent UK auction, failing to meet its guide price. The garland is a rare artifact from India’s fight for independence and was estimated to fetch between GBP 20,000 and GBP 30,000 but remains unsold.

Unique Garland Holds Historical Significance

A pink-cloth medallion shaped as a large teardrop in pink, backed on card, with silver and gold thread, sequins, and gold tinsel attached to the garland of the Salt March of Mahatma Gandhi consists of four smaller rectangular and two triangular medallions that follow this style. The garland was given by Nanduben Kanuga, wife of the doctor, Balvantrai N. Kanuga, a doctor who treated Gandhi. It has been decades that the artifact has been in the Kanuga family collection.

Hopes For Future Sale Auction House

Kristina Sanne is the head of sale at the fine art and antiques auction house. She was quite astonished that the garland could not be sold. “I am very surprised that the ‘Gandhi Garland’ did not find a home on the day of the auction,” she said. However, since the sale, Sanne believes there has been a good interest in the piece and feels sure it will sell.

Steady Demand for Indian Art

Where others sold, the Gandhi garland still sits unsold. In stark contrast to this lot, other Indian artifacts received great attention and exceeded estimates. A superb illustration from a Bhagavata Purana series ofPunjab fetched GBP 27,700 against an estimate. Six Rajput equestrian portraits brought in a goodly GBP 20,160 while a Kalighat album foundan eager buyer for GBP 21,420.

Sanne highlighted the robust performance of the Indian art segment, where over 90% of its lots sold. “The Indian art market continues to show remarkable buoyancy,” she observed, which speaks of rising global interest in artifacts coming from India.

The garland, meanwhile, will still be available for bids, but with all the historical and cultural importance surrounding it, it will certainly end up in a worthy home.

18th Century Sculpture Purchased For Rs. 540 Could Fetch Over Rs. 2.68 Crore at Auction

November 13, 2024, 1:38 pm

A marble bust, bought for just £5 (around Rs 540) and used as a doorstop for years, could now sell for over £2.5 million (Rs 2.68 crore). Known as the Bouchardon Bust, the sculpture was created in the early 18th century by renowned French artist Edmé Bouchardon. It features John Gordon, a Scottish landowner and politician, and was initially acquired by the Invergordon Town Council in 1930 to honor him, as he was considered the town’s founder.

The bust, which was intended for display in the local town hall, survived a fire at a 19th-century castle but was misplaced and ended up as a doorstop in an industrial park. It was rediscovered in 1998. Following the council’s request to sell the piece, Tain Sheriff Court in the Scottish Highlands granted approval, with no objections raised during the hearing.

This decision allows the town council to move forward with the sale, which had been recommended after a public consultation earlier this year. By June, the full council had agreed to proceed.

A private overseas buyer has expressed interest in purchasing the bust, offering more than £2.5 million through the prestigious auction house Sotheby’s. The buyer has also pledged to fund a high-quality replica for display locally.

Although the bust has been kept out of local exhibitions due to its high value, it has been showcased abroad, including at the Louvre in Paris in 2016 and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles in 2017.

Following court approval last week, a spokeswoman for the Highland Council mentioned that a legal review could determine if the bust qualifies as a “national treasure” under the Waverley Criteria, which restricts the export of certain items. While no confirmation about an auction has been given yet, the review is expected to be triggered soon.

Rare 1975 Misprinted US Dime Fetches ₹4 Crore At Auction

November 8, 2024, 12:49 am

A rare U.S. coin, the “1975 No S Proof Dime,” has achieved a new auction record, fetching $506,250 (Rs 4,26,74,091) at auction last night, as reported by GreatCollections auction house. Known for its rarity, the coin was mistakenly released without the “S” mint mark, making it one of the most coveted modern U.S. coin rarities.

After spending over 50 years in private hands, the 1975 dime was authenticated by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and awarded a Proof-67 grade. Additionally, the Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC) confirmed its authenticity, according to a press release.

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Numismatic experts Scott Schechter and Jeff Garrett, authors of ‘The 100 Greatest US Modern Coins’, frequently rank the 1975 No S Proof Dime as the top modern U.S. coin. Consigned to GreatCollections just two months ago, the dime was originally purchased in 1978 for $18,200 by an Ohio collector and his mother from the well-known Chicago dealer FJ Vollmer & Co. The recent auction price, over 30 times its 1978 purchase value, has solidified its status as a prized numismatic treasure.

“We received interest in this modern rarity from all over the world-serious collectors from Germany, Japan, and the UK, as well as collectors from the US-over 400 unique bidders were actively tracking the auction,” stated GreatCollections President Ian Russell. The dime is distinguished by its missing “S” mint mark, which would typically indicate it was minted in San Francisco. Only two known examples of this coin still exist.

“This is the Grail of modern coins, one that is missing from the Smithsonian, ANS, and ANA institutional collections. After spirited bidding, it was ultimately won by a long-time client of ours who appreciates rarities that infrequently appear on the market. His goal is for his family to own it for the next 46 years, similar to the seller’s family who consigned it to GreatCollections,” added Russell.

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Man Spends Rs. 3.3 Lakh On Taylor Swift ‘Signed’ Guitar Only To Smash It! | Watch

October 2, 2024, 2:17 pm

A man in Texas went viral after buying a Taylor Swift-autographed guitar for $4,000 (Rs 3,35,215) at the Ellis County Wild Game Dinner auction, only to immediately destroy it. The event, held near Dallas to support agricultural education, took a shocking turn when the man used a hammer to smash the guitar, receiving cheers from the audience before the host stepped in.

The guitar, donated by a third party along with a certificate of authenticity, has since become the focus of online discussions. Many speculate that the man’s actions were a protest against Taylor Swift’s recent endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. However, his true intentions remain unclear.

Watch the viral video:

Omg lol!!!! Guy bought a signed Taylor Swift guitar at a live auction for $4,000, only to destroy it ???? pic.twitter.com/zj5kHdygbU

— TONY™ (@TONYxTWO) September 30, 2024

This incident sparked widespread debate on social media, with many criticizing the act as unnecessary and wasteful. One user commented, “People like this live to hate… This kind of hate needs to stop.” Another observed, “Taylor Swift is worth $1 billion. He just set $4,000 on fire. He must be struggling in this economy.”

A representative for the Ellis County Wild Game explained the situation, stating the act wasn’t intended to be malicious. “He was just making a light-hearted statement showing disapproval of people in the entertainment industry trying to influence politics,” they told WFAA. The spokesperson added that all proceeds from the event go toward youth and agricultural education programs.

Last month, Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for the 2024 election, encouraging her 283 million followers to register to vote. This endorsement has fueled speculation regarding the motives behind the guitar-smashing act.

IPL 2025 Mega Auction: What The New Player Retention Rules Mean For Teams

September 26, 2024, 8:05 pm

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce revised player retention rules for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, with reports suggesting the auction may be held outside India in November. The changes come as IPL teams push for a more stable core of players, with significant shifts in retention policies expected.

New Retention Rules: 5 Players but No RTM

According to a report by the Indian Express, IPL franchises may be allowed to retain up to five players in the upcoming auction, a change from previous seasons. However, the Right to Match (RTM) option—allowing teams to match the highest bid on their former players—will reportedly be scrapped. This shift is expected to benefit teams like Mumbai Indians, who have a star-studded lineup and would likely retain key players such as Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya.

However, there is no confirmation yet on whether franchises will be able to retain more than two overseas players. Additionally, the retention cost for each player is still under discussion.

Mumbai Indians and Other Teams Eye Key Retentions

Mumbai Indians, known for maintaining a consistent core, are expected to retain several key players, even after a less-than-stellar performance this season under Hardik Pandya’s leadership. Franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals are also keen to retain their star players, ensuring stability in their squads.

KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan has reportedly suggested delaying the auction to give teams more time to solidify their core players. Many teams are in favor of this delay, as it would reduce the need for frequent reshuffles, which typically occur every four to five years.

Auction Likely Outside India in November

The much-anticipated IPL mega auction is rumored to take place outside India for the first time, potentially in November. This marks a departure from tradition as the league continues to expand its global footprint. The last major auctions were held in 2018 and 2022, and the upcoming auction is expected to reshape the landscape of the IPL once again.

CSK Denies Dhoni ‘Uncapped Player’ Rumors

There have been rumors that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) requested to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player. However, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has denied these claims. If the ‘uncapped player rule,’ which was discontinued in 2021, is reinstated, it could open the door for Dhoni to continue donning the yellow jersey for another IPL season. For now, though, there is no official confirmation on this front.

Owners Discuss Player Retention at BCCI Meeting

In a recent meeting at the BCCI headquarters, owners of all 10 IPL teams discussed the future of player retention. Most owners are in favor of retaining 5-6 players, citing the importance of maintaining team continuity and brand value. The BCCI, however, aims to strike a balance between this continuity and ensuring a fair and competitive auction.

As teams prepare for the upcoming auction, these new retention rules and strategies are sure to create plenty of buzz, with fans eager to see how their favorite franchises will approach the new season.

Rare Ceramic Goat Made By King Charles Fetches ₹9 Lakh At Auction

June 6, 2024, 3:15 am

A pottery goat, thought to have been made by King Charles during his time at Cambridge University, was put up for sale in May of this year. The rare ceramic goat was sold for £8,500 (about ₹9 lakh) at an auction in Staffordshire on June 4th. Reports indicate that the total cost, including the premium, for the goat painted with yellow and pink stripes, amounted to £11,407 (approximately ₹12 lakh).

King Charles presented the ceramic goat to Cambridge University’s cook, Helen Patten, as a gift. Subsequently, in 1969, it was given to Patten’s nephew, Raymond Patten, a former carpenter in British Columbia, on his 21st birthday.

Patten, aged 76, decided to auction the goat at Hansons Auctioneers in Staffordshire due to its “historical significance.” It is believed to be the sole piece sculpted by King Charles.

He said, “My Aunt Nellie, Helen Patten, gave me the goat on my 21st birthday on June 22, 1969. She told me Prince Charles had made it.”

Patten mentioned that he had “treasured” the goat throughout his life but felt it was time for the rare artwork to find a new home.

He further disclosed that his aunt had prepared a meal for the Queen Mother. “My aunt, who passed away at the age of 87 in 1993 in Cheshire, used to live at 37 Norfolk Terrace, Cambridge. She was my grandfather’s sister and never married. She was honoured to serve members of the royal family. She cooked a meal for the Queen Mother,” he shared.

King Charles, who held the title of Prince of Wales at the time, attended Cambridge’s Trinity College from 1967 to 1970 to pursue studies in Archaeology, Anthropology, and History.

King Charles and his love for art

King Charles is renowned for his artistic talents. In 2023, a collection of childhood drawings attributed to King Charles was auctioned for £46,000 (around ₹49 lakh). These sketches, created by King Charles at the age of five or six, depicted his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his father, The Duke of Edinburgh.

“King Charles has demonstrated a passion for art throughout his life but is mainly known for his paintings. The discovery of this ceramics piece demonstrates another side to his talent. As far as we are aware it is the only example of pottery made by King Charles in existence. It represents his early passion and artistic flare working in ceramics in the late 1960s,” said Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers.

World’s Most Expensive Feather Sold In New Zealand For $28,365

May 23, 2024, 2:51 am

A rare and highly coveted feather from the extinct huia bird of New Zealand was sold at an auction, for an impressive NZD$46,521 ($28,365), establishing it as the most expensive feather in the world. The huia bird, which was native to the North Island of New Zealand, became extinct in the early 1900s, with only one reported sighting in 1924.

The feather put up for auction earlier this week was initially estimated to fetch between $2,000 and $3,000. However, it ultimately surpassed these expectations.

According to Webb’s Auction House, based in Auckland, the feather of the bird, which was last sighted in the 20th century, has previously been sold for as much as $5,100.

“This rare huia feather is a beautiful example of Aotearoa’s natural history and reminds us of the fragility of our ecosystem,” said Leah Morris, head of decorative arts at the auction house, in a statement.

Morris informed the Guardian that she attributes the high bids to the exceptional condition of the single feather and the measures taken to preserve it, including archival paper and UV glass, as well as the story behind the huia bird.

According to the British newspaper, the specimen was among the finest huia feathers ever to be brought to market by the auction house.

Was the feather more expensive than gold?

The feather, weighing approximately nine grams, was also determined to be far more valuable than gold.

On the day of the auction, which occurred on Monday (May 20), gold was valued at $127 per gram. Compared to the price at which the feather was sold, one gram of the feather was worth $5,169.

The huia, which was the largest of New Zealand’s wattlebird species and renowned for its melodious song, was considered a prized bird. However, its desirability ultimately contributed to the species’ demise.

The last confirmed sighting of this bird, distinguished by its predominantly black glossy feathers and white-tipped long-tail feathers, was in 1907.

The huia bird held sacred significance to the Māori people and was frequently referenced in their songs and proverbs. According to the Guardian, huia feathers were reserved for chiefs and individuals with mana (prestige).

By the time Europeans arrived in New Zealand, the birds were already scarce, and the European demand for their feathers hastened their extinction. Despite efforts by scientists in the early 1900s to save the species from extinction, these attempts were unsuccessful.

Prospective buyers of the feather, considered of national importance, were required to obtain a permit from New Zealand’s Ministry for Culture and Heritage before the sale on Monday. Additionally, the feather could only be purchased by a registered collector and could not leave the country without the ministry’s authorization.

Steven Smith, Manish Pandey, and Karun Nair are not sold in the IPL auction

December 19, 2023, 2:46 pm

Out of style In the first round of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction, which is currently taking place in Dubai, on Tuesday, Indian hitters Karun Nair, Manish Pandey, and famous Australian batter and former captain Steven Smith were not sold.
Nair was not sold during the IPL 2024 auction, despite having a base price of Rs 50 lakh. Nair played for the Rajasthan-based team in the 2023 season. The 32-year-old played in 76 Indian Premier League games and amassed 1496 runs in the opulent Twenty20 competition.
In the IPL 2024 auction, Australian hitter Steven Smith was not purchased. Despite Smith’s Rs 2 crore base price, no club offered to acquire the 34-year-old.

Smith last participated in an IPL match in 2021; since then, he has not been associated with a team. The Australian participated in 103 IPL games and amassed 2485 runs.
In the meanwhile, Manish, an Indian batter, was also unsuccessful in the IPL 2024 preliminary round. The initial price for Manish was Rs 50 lakh. Manish was a player for the Delhi-based team in the 2023 Indian Premier League.
Over the course of his 170 IPL games, Manish amassed 3808 runs with a strike rate of 120.97.

Earlier, Australia’s devastating opener Travis Head found a new home at Sunrisers Hyderabad, directly replacing Harry Brook, while West Indies power batter Rovman Powell left for a massive fee to Rajasthan Royals.
In the meantime, no side was prepared to pay South Africa’s skilled batsman Rilee Rossouw’s base salary of Rs 2 crore.

IPL 2024 auction will begin today in Dubai

December 19, 2023, 10:56 am

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction is eagerly awaited by the cricket community. Ten IPL teams will compete to acquire elite players, and the auction will take place in Dubai on Tuesday. Three hundred and thirty-two players have registered for the IPL 2024 auction ahead of time. Initially, a whopping 1166 players registered for the auction, but the teams chose to keep 332 cricket players and cut 834 others.

214 of the 332 players are Indian, with the remaining cricketers being international players. In the meanwhile, 116 players have already registered for the lavish T20 competition. However, 215 cricket players do not have caps.

Franchises are coming into the bidding war with lots of cash in their purse. Chennai Super Kings (Rs31.4 crores), Mumbai Indians (Rs17.75 crores), Royal Challengers Bangalore (Rs23.25 crore), Kolkata Knight Riders (Rs32.7 crores), Gujarat Titans (Rs38.15 crores), Sunrisers Hyderabad (Rs34 crores), Delhi Capitals ( Rs28.95 crores), Punjab Kings ( Rs29.1 crores), Lucknow Super Giants (13.15 crore) and Rajasthan Royals (Rs14.5 crores) will spend their remaining amount to fill their last slots in their squad.

The auction procedure remains unchanged; the 332 players in total will be arranged into 19 sets according to their responsibilities in cricket, including fast bowlers, spinners, wicketkeepers, hitters, and all-rounders.

Franchises may begin bidding as little as Rs 2 crore, with the understanding that the winning offer will likely fetch significantly higher prices. Many people are speculating about who will receive a substantial award.

Given the players that some clubs have released and the names that are up for grabs, this will be a mini-event, but there will definitely be some big money thrown about and some big moves made. There are some well-known names in this year’s auction pool, but there are also some up-and-coming stars that can cause bidding wars.

Kwena Maphaka, a 17-year-old from South Africa, will be the youngest participant in the forthcoming auction. The oldest player to participate in the auction will be Afghanistan’s 38-year-old batting all-arounder, Mohammad Nabi.

At the last minute, players like Shariful Islam, Taskin Ahmed of Bangladesh, and Rehan Ahmed of England have chosen not to participate in the IPL 2024 auction.

Hugh Edmeades will not be conducting the auction; instead, Mallika Sagar, who most recently handled the Women’s Premier League (WPL) sale, will do so. In the latter 16 years of IPL existence, Sagar also made history as the first female auctioneer.

IPL 2024 auction to take place in Dubai on December 19; 333 players to go under the hammer

December 12, 2023, 11:03 am

The first-ever international auction will take place on December 19 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. “Of the 333 players, 214 are from India, 119 are from abroad, and 2 are from partner countries. It went on to say, “There are 116 capped players overall, 215 uncapped players, and 2 associate nation players.”

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IPL 2024 Player Auction list announced.

The roster for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Player Auction has been unveiled. The auction is set to take place in Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 19th, 2023.

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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) December 11, 2023

There are now 77 seats available, with up to 30 reserved for participants from other countries. With 23 players opting to be placed in the top category, INR 2 crore is the highest reserve fee. The basic price for the 13 players on the auction list is INR 1.5 crore.

Though only lasting one day, mini-auctions have yielded some of the most expensive sales, especially when it comes to foreign players, compared to the two-day mega auction that takes place every four years. When Punjab paid INR 18.5 crore to acquire Sam Curran in December of last year, in advance of the 2023 season, he became the most expensive player in IPL history.

Premier Handball League inches closer as inaugural auction concludes

April 26, 2023, 4:00 pm

With the end of its auction procedure late on Sunday, the Premier Handball League’s debut season moves one step closer to completion. Six franchises, namely the Delhi Panzers, Garvit Gujarat, Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra Ironmen, Rajasthan Team (yet to be named), and Telugu Talons, had 116 players available for selection, including top international, Indian, and domestic handball talent.

All 18 of the international players were selected by the teams, and the auctions began with the category of foreign players. The international players represented the Asian Handball Federation among other federations. Only one foreign right-back, left-back and custodian could be chosen by each squad.

In terms of the biggest foreign imports, Telugu Talons went for the services of Andrei Igorevich Nedbailo (goalkeeper) from Russia, a six-time Russian champion. Garvit Gujarat picked up Tuliboev Mukhtor (right back) from Uzbekistan; the 24-year-old is known for his exploits with the Uzbek team at the Interamnia World Cup, wherein they clinched gold. Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh also made sure they didn’t fall short and went all out to secure the services of Iran’s Omid Reza (goalkeeper), who has represented his country in the IHF Handball World Cup in the last two World Cup editions.

On the other hand, the Maharashtra Ironmen secured the services of Iran’s right back, Jalal Kiani. Kiani is a silver medalist with the national team at the Asian Games. The Delhi Panzers went for the 20-year-old Artem Martynov (right back) from Russia, a 2019 Russian Handball Championship gold medalist. Lastly, it was the Rajasthan team (yet to be named) that selected the services of Iraq’s left-back Baderaladeen Naser, a release said.

The second category was reserved for Indian star players, and 42 players were up for selection by the franchises.

Under this category, each team was allowed to pick only one player for each of the seven positions, i.e., right back, left back, centre back, right wing, left wing, and pivot. Amongst the top Indian buys, Telugu Talons went for Raghu Kumara (Pivot), a four-time national champion; Garvit Gujarat secured Harender Singh Nain (Right Back) as their star Indian player, a three-time national champion and a two-time gold medallist at the Federation Cup Tournaments; and Golden Eagles Uttar Pradesh selected Bhushan Shinde (Right Wing) as their most valuable Indian asset for the league.

For the Maharashtra Ironmen, winger Ankit Kumar, a member of gold medal-winning Indian squads for the IHF Trophy in 2016 and 2018, and a silver medallist at the 2019 South Asian Games, was the most valuable player. Delhi Panzers went for Pivot Mintu Sardar, again a three-time national champion, and lastly, it was Rajasthan who selected Robin Singh (left back), a four-time national champion, as their most valuable Indian star player, a release said.

The final category of the day was called “role players,” and 56 domestic Indian players were a part of it. 42 out of the 56 were picked. Telugu Talons’ most valuable player in this category was Rahul Nain (Pivot), Garvit Gujarat went with Right Back Surender Kumar, and Golden Eagles selected Sanchit Gupta (Right Wing), and Mohit Punia (Right Back) joined Maharashtra Ironmen. Delhi Panzers went with youth and picked up the 20-year-old pivot Deepak, and lastly, Rajasthan secured Mohit Ghanghas (left back) as their biggest player in the role players category.

5 peculiar items ever sold in auctions

November 13, 2022, 5:02 pm

The adage “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” certainly applies to people who have spent a lot of money on extremely bizarre purchases. Some very peculiar items went under the hammer, selling for some very hefty sums during auctions. Here is a list of the strangest and a few coolest items that people have spent a lot of money on.

A letter written on the Titanic

In a heartbreaking prediction that “if all goes well, we’ll arrive in New York on Wednesday,” the last letter ever written on board by a passenger who died when the Titanic sank has been sold at auction for a record-breaking €141,000 Alexander Oskar Holverson, a first-class traveler, wrote his mother a letter on three pages of embossed White Star Line stationery the day before the liner ran into an iceberg.

Celebrities’ hair

A lock of hair from the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, sold for €1,300. Elvis’ personal barber, Homer Gill Gilleland, who toured with Elvis for more than 20 years, had saved the lock, which is in excellent shape. At Catawiki, locks of hair from the Beatles, Napoleon, Marilyn Monroe, and each of the four Beatles sold for over €8,000. The market for late celebrity hair is quite lucrative, according to Mark Borgman, since super fans think that by purchasing their icon’s hair, they will always own a piece of it.

A banana taped to a wall

A banana that was taped to a wall once sold for an astounding $120,000. The piece of art, titled “Comedian,” was produced by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan for the Art Basel show in Miami. David Datuna, a late Georgian artist, ate the banana before it was replaced. He claimed that the artwork was about “the idea,” not the banana itself. According to Datuna, he made the piece to “question what art is.”

Queen Victoria’s undies

In addition, cotton underwear once worn by Queen Victoria—Queen Elizabeth’s great-great-grandmother—were sold for $16,300 in 2015 when the topic of lavatories came up. The underwear, which was embroidered with Victoria Regina’s royal initials, “VR,” was in immaculate condition due to being wrapped in tissue and maintained in a temperature-controlled space. These spacious drawers, which sported a 45-inch drawstring waist, had something special about them. According to auctioneer Richard Edmonds, “On these particular knickers, there is a chevron section, which is where they were taken up slightly as Queen Victoria got older and essentially shrank in stature.”

Justin Timberlake’s leftover toast

Twenty years ago, Justin Timberlake, then a teenage NSYNC band member, was being interviewed on the Z100 morning show in New York City when he accidentally left some of his unfinished French toast behind. Two of its slices were playfully listed for sale on eBay by the station’s DJ, and were eventually purchased for $1,025 by a teen named Kathy Summers. The teen enthusiast said, “I’ll probably freeze-dry it, then seal it, then put it on my dresser,” when asked what she would do with the leftover, slightly charred toast. A wise investment, undoubtedly.

Auction of girls in Rajasthan: “Same activities take place in Sawai Madhopur too,” says NCW chief

October 31, 2022, 5:07 pm

Rekha Sharma, Chairperon of National Commission for women, on Monday made huge revelations in the alleged auctioning of girls case and said that the same activities are happening in Sawai Madhopor too.

“It was all managed by the administration in the night. This was in Bhilwara. But the administration didn’t know that I was in Sawai Madhopur too. The same activities are taking place there too. Girls are being kidnapped, brought here, and passed off as their own,” said NCW chief Rekha Sharma. Highlighting the current situation in the region she added, “When my team reached there (Bhilwara), nothing was found. Through media conversations with Dhaba owners, it was found that such activities indeed take place there but as soon as the news came to light, houses were locked.”

She also called out the local administration for not meeting up with her to discuss the issue.

“I’m trying to meet officials. Chief Secretary is busy with PM Modi’s event. DGP is inaugurating something somewhere. He’s not interested in meeting. He’s more interested in winding up his work,” she added.

Stressing the linkage between the cases she cited,” It’s not possible that there’ll be 8-10 girls in every family. False documents are being produced for them. DNA tests would reveal that they don’t belong to those families. A proper SIT, under an IPS officer, would have to be constituted. All these cases are interconnected.”

Rajasthan Director General of Police (DGP) ML Lather said that the state police is strict towards atrocities against women, after reports of girls being auctioned on stamp papers in Bhilwara surfaced.

“Rajasthan Police is strict towards atrocities against women. The media has been told about two victim girls and a case was registered in the year 2019 in relation to the incident with both the girls,” he said.

The DCP further added that a case was registered in Hanuman Nagar police station of the district under various sections of IPC, POCSO Act, JJ Act and IT Act.
“In the year 2019, Operation Gudiya was run in the Bhilwara district in connection with the purchase and sale of girls,” he said.

Sangeeta Beniwal, the chairman of the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, convened a meeting at the Bhilwara Collectorate earlier on October 29 in response to reports of girls being sold at auction on stamp papers nearby.
At the meeting were the District Collector, the Superintendent of Police, and other representatives.

“I came to know from DSP and Collector that this case is from 2019. At that time, police presented a challan of 25 people in court. Out of 6 girls, 4 have been rehabilitated & 2 are in girls’ homes as they’re from other states. I’ll reach them soon and get complete information,” said RSCPCR chief, Sangeeta Beniwal.