Batman Comic Versus Superman Comic: Will the Story Never End?

First we wrote about how the first Detective Comic to feature Batman had been bid up to $350,000. Then we wrote about how an Action Comic sold for a record breaking $1,000,000. Now we can report another record breaking event.

The Heritage Auction Galleries auction is over, and the Detective Comics #27 comic featuring Batman was hammered at an incredible $1,075,500.

At $10,000, These Men's Shows Better Be Comfortable

If you need a new pair of men's dress shoes, you should check out what Louis Vuitton is offering, the handmade Manhattan Richelieu wing-tips made with waxed genuine alligator skin. The shoes even include a metal LV monogram cube embedded in the leather heel. Price for this fine pair of shoes is only $10,000.

507-carat Diamond Just Sold for $35.3 Million

A rough 507-carat diamond was sold by Petra Diamonds for $35.3 million, the highest price ever achieved by a diamond in the rough. It was bought by by Chow Tai Fook Jewelry Co Ltd in Hong Kong. Petra Diamonds is a publicly traded company that primarily trades in London but occasionally on the Pink Sheets in the United States under the symbol PDMDF.PK.

$1,000,000 for a Superman Comic

Last week, we posted an article about how an early Batman comic was up for auction and had reached a bid of $350,000. The bid is now up to $425,000 and there are still two more days to go before the auction closes.

However, this amount isn't even close to the first Superman comic that just sold for $1,000,000; that's one million dollars!!! It is technically Action Comics #1, the first comic book in which Superman appeared. It was graded 8 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is the best. It came out in 1938 for 10 cents. The buyer and seller remain anonymous.

According to the company that handled the transaction, CommicConnect.com, this is the first time a comic has ever sold for one million dollars.

Would You Pay $1.68 Million for Lunch with Billionaire Warren Buffett?

Courtenay Wolfe, the CEO of Salida Capital, was the top bidder in an eBay auction for a three hour lunch with noted investor and billionaires, Warren Buffett, the second richest man in the world. Salida Capital is a hedge fund based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The proceeds of the auction went towards the Glide Foundation, a San Francisco charity that provides job training and meals for the homeless. The lunch is to be held at a Smith & Wollensky restaurant.

Upcoming Christie's Auctions

TUE
Mar 2
SALE 2292 | New York, Rockefeller Plaza |
Christie's Interiors

TUE
Mar 2
SALE 5685 | London, South Kensington |
Christie's Interiors

WED
Mar 3
SALE 2292 | New York, Rockefeller Plaza |
Christie's Interiors

THU
Mar 4
SALE 2285 | New York, Rockefeller Plaza |
Fine American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture

TUE
Mar 9
SALE 2837 | Amsterdam |
Nineteen to Now, Art from the 19th, 20th and 21st Centuries

TUE
Mar 9
SALE 5686 | London, South Kensington |
Christie's Interiors - Masters & Makers

WED
Mar 10
SALE 2290 | New York, Rockefeller Plaza |
Impressionist Modern

WED
Mar 10
SALE 5458 | London, South Kensington |
Architectural Heritage: The Adrian and Suzy Puddy Collection

THU
Mar 11
SALE 2294 | New York, Rockefeller Plaza |
First Open Post-War and Contemporary Art

THU
Mar 11
SALE 5983 | London, South Kensington |
Sporting Art, Wildlife and Dogs

UN
Mar 14
SALE 5461 | London, South Kensington |
The Sunday Sale - Property from the Collection of The Baroness Dunn

TUE
Mar 16
SALE 5689 | London, South Kensington |
Christie's Interiors

TUE
Mar 16
SALE 2295 | New York, Rockefeller Plaza |
20th Century Decorative Art & Design

WED
Mar 17
SALE 5640 | London, South Kensington |
Jewels at South Kensington

WED
Mar 17
SALE 5615 | London, South Kensington |
Victorian and British Impressionist Pictures

THU
Mar
18
SALE 5629 | Paris |
Vins Fins et Spiritueux

FRI
Mar 19
SALE 5589 | Paris |
Arts Décoratifs, Tableaux et Dessins du 16ème au 19ème Siècle

TUE
Mar 23
SALE 2845 | Amsterdam |
The Decorative Arts Sale

TUE
Mar 23
SALE 5571 | London, South Kensington |
Prints and Multiples

TUE
Mar 23
SALE 2299 | New York, Rockefeller Plaza |
South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art

TUE
Mar 23
SALE 2300 | New York, Rockefeller Plaza |
Indian and Southeast Asian Art

WED
Mar 24
SALE 2845 | Amsterdam |
The Decorative Arts Sale

WED
Mar 24
SALE 5533 | London, South Kensington |
20th Century Decorative Art & Design

WED
Mar 24
SALE 2296 | New York, Rockefeller Plaza |
Japanese & Korean Art

THU
Mar 25
SALE 2405 | New York, Rockefeller Center |
Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections

THU
Mar 25
SALE 2391 | New York, Rockefeller Plaza |
For the Enjoyment of Scholars: Selections from the Robert H. Blumenfield Collection

THU
Mar 25
SALE 7855 | London, King Street |
Fine & Rare Wines Including a Superb European Collection

THU
Mar 25
SALE 7909 | London, King Street |
Three Woods: A Passion for Walnut, Oak & Yew The John Parry Collection

THU
Mar 25
SALE 5537 | London, South Kensington |
Post-War and Contemporary Art

FRI
Mar 26
SALE 2297 | New York, Rockefeller Center |
Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections

TUE
Mar 30
SALE 5693 | London, South Kensington |
Christie's Interiors

WED
Mar 31
SALE 2841 | Amsterdam |
Jewels and Watches

WED
Mar 31
SALE 5529 | London, South Kensington |
20th Century British Art

WED
Mar 31
SALE 7839 | London, King Street |
Old Master, Modern & Contemporary Prints

Auctions Coming Up at Sothebys

03 Mar 10 American Paintings, Drawings & Sculpture [N08616] New York

08 Mar 10 THE BAT ARTVENTURE COLLECTION formerly known as THE PETER STUYVESANT COLLECTION [AM1095] Amsterdam

09 Mar 10 Contemporary Art [N08617] New York

09 Mar 10 Musical Instruments [L10250] London

17 Mar 10 20th Century Design [N08622] New York

17 Mar 10 Fine and Rare Wines [L10703] London

18 Mar 10 Jewels [L10050] London

18 Mar 10 Collection Violette de Talleyrand, Duchesse de Sagan, Former collection Gaston Palewski [PF1010] Paris

20 Mar 10 The Cellar of the Legendary Lloyd Flatt And Other Superb Collections [N08621] New York

23 Mar 10 Chinese Works of Art [N08618] New York

24 Mar 10 Indian & Southeast Asian Art [N08619] New York

24 Mar 10 Rosenthal Collection, Oceanic Art [PF1034] Paris

24 Mar 10 The Collection of Alexandre and Odile Loewy, Modern Art [PF1031] Paris

25 Mar 10 Impressionist and Modern Art Including Russian Art [N08614] New York

30 Mar 10 Old Master, Modern & Contemporary Prints [L10160] London

What is Selling on eBay Right Now for Over $180,000: It's Not a Car or a Plane

It's not a car, it not a plane, it's the super guitar. A genuine authentic 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard in Sunburst Finish, known as the 'Burst' is currently being auctioned off on eBay, and the current high bid is $190,000. Bidding started at one dollar and 53 bids have come in already. Less than two days left.

Picture by Helix84 shows Paul McCartney playing a 1960 left-handed cherryburst Les Paul. No celebrity endorsement expressed or implied. Picture courtesy of wikipedia.

$31,000 James Bond Style Car Key

For all you Aston Martin Rapide automobile owners out there, you should get the latest key for your car. It is built into a watch made by Jaeger-LeCoultre which has a touch screen face. If you press the right time on the watch, the car doors open, otherwise the doors will lock or the lights will start to flash. The cost of this neat accessory is only $31,000, and you can be just like James Bond.

$3 Million Bottle of Liqueur

Who cares about the liqueur; it's the bottle that I want. A Chambord liqueur bottle covered with 1,100 round brilliant cut diamonds, 18 carat yellow gold and pearls worth about $3 million, will be unveiled at the International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores.

The bottle is on a worldwide tour. Let's break out the glasses!

Picture shown is a (much) cheaper version of the Chambord liqueur bottle.

Why Would Someone Pay $26,500 for a Fake Island?

In the past, we have run plenty of articles on expensive islands for sale, including islands for your holiday shopping list, a Connecticut Island for $2.1 million, and islands that have been reduced in price.

Now Forbes has reported that a student in Sydney, Australia has just paid $26,500 (in real money) for a Virtual Island, probably the most expensive virtual item of any kind. However, it is not such a bad deal, because he taxes virtual hunters on his virtual land and makes about $100,000 per year from those taxes (in real dollars).

No More First Class Cabins on Qantas?

Due to a drop in earnings, Australia’s largest airline, Qantas Airways Ltd., will get rid of first class cabins on most of its flights. The drop in demand for first class led to a drop in profits for the first half of the year.

Abbey Road is Up For Sale

Here's a bit of nostalgia worth buying, the famous Beatle's recording studio, Abbey Road Studios. The owner, EMI Group is offering it for sale and expects to receive a substantial amount for the studio. Paul McCartney has even expressed an interest in saving the studio. It was made famous by the 1969 'Abbey Road' album cover, showing Paul, John, George and Ringo walking across the street.

The studio produced music from many other artists including Pink Floyd, Yehudi Menuhin, Mike Oldfield, and Jeff Beck

Abbey Road may sell for as much as $47 million.

Most Expensive Paintings

A week ago, we wrote the article Most Expensive Sculpture Sells for over $100 Million. If you prefer paintings, and have wondered what the most expensive paintings are, here is a list according to wikipedia.

A painting called No. 5, 1948 by Jackson Pollock, created in 1948, was sold for $140,000,000 in 2006 by David Geffen in a private sale through Sotheby's.

The painting Woman III by Willem de Kooning in 1953 was also sold for $137.5 million in 2006 by David Geffen in another private sale.

The painting Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustav Klimt in 1907 sold for $135 million in 2006 in a private sale through Christie's.


A painting called Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Vincent van Gogh in 1890 sold in 1990 for $82.5 million at a Christie's auction.

The painting Bal du moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir in 1876 sold for $78.1 million in 1990 at a Sotheby's auction.

If you like art, don't forget to check out the article on Michael Crichton's art.

Top picture is Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, second picture is Portrait of Dr. Gachet, third is Bal du moulin de la Galette.

$350,000 for a Comic Book

If you are trying to get back in touch with your inner child, or maybe you haven't grown up yet, or maybe you're just a Batman fan and you like great collectibles, you might want to place a bid on a Detective Comics No. 27 comic book from 1939, which features the first appearance of Batman.

This graphic novel will be sold at Heritage Auctions in Dallas on Feb. 25, and online bids can be placed now. Already, the current bid is $350,000. It is consigned by a collector based New York State.

Billionaire Valentine Gift Ideas

Valentines Day is Sunday, February 14. Start your gift buying now.

1. 2006 Bugatti Veyron
Available through the BillionaireXchange for $1,050,000.00.

2. 24 Bottles of Angel Champagne
One of the world's most expensive champagnes. The cost is only $392,000. Mariah Carey is Angel Champagne's official ambassador in the United States.

3. Tiffany Diamond Drop Earnings
Drop earrings of round brilliant, marquise and pear-shaped diamonds in platinum, for pierced ears. Price is only $530,000.


4. Royal Diamond Chess Set
For your Valentine who likes to play chess. This chess set from Charles Hollander is hand made with 9,900 black and white diamonds, in over 1168 grams of 14 carat white gold. Price is $500,000.

5. Cartier Santos 100 Ladies Gold Watch
Diamonds set on bezel & case, 18K gold octagonal crown set with a diamond, sword shaped rhodium plated hands, self winding automatic calibre 076 movement, price only $32,092.90.

6. A Private Island
Great Sale Cay Island, in the Bahamas; is offered at $9,900,000. It has a whopping 370 acres.

7. California Estate owned by Joe Montana
This 500 acre estate in the Napa wine country in California is 9,700 square feet and includes a Bocce ball court and a full-sized basketball court.The price is $49 million.

8. Diamond Opera Necklace
18k White Gold 3-prong Diamond Opera Necklace (78.44 cttw, E-F Color, SI1-SI2 Clarity), 34"; price is on sale at $153,000.99, discounted from $277,200.00.

Michael Crichton Art Works to be Auctioned

Art works of bestselling U.S. author Michael Crichton will be auctioned off in May by Christie's. Some of the art to be sold include works by by Pablo Picasso, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg and Roy Lichtenstein.

Michael Crichton has recently written Pirate Latitudes: A Novel and The Great Train Robbery.

Most Expensive Sculpture Sells for over $100 Million

The 6 foot high sculpture created by Alberto Giacometti, called "L'Homme Qui Marche I," just sold for $104,327,006 at auction. Sotheby's did not disclose the winning bidder.
The previous record for artwork was set in 2004 "Garçon à la Pipe," created by Pablo Picasso in 1905, which was sold for $104.1 million.

Cities with the Most Expensive Hotel Rooms

Moscow has the most expensive hotel rooms, according to the Daily Telegraph. In second place is Abu Dhabi, and third is New York City.

Beer Mug Sold for $70,000

I wonder if the beer tastes better in this mug? A 268 year old beer mug was purchased by a Canadian museum at a Christie's New York auction for $70,000. It was formerly owned by Rev. John Stuart.

$400,000 Paid for a Boat Shed in Australia

I guess Australia must be experiencing some kind of a housing boom, similar to what the US had back in 2005. A couple families paid $400,000 ($455,000 in Australian dollars) for a boat shed in Victoria, Australia, and that doesn't even include the land, which must be leased. So you think the buyers are converting it into a luxury waterfront property? No, they just want to store their beach gear there.

$618,000 Postage Stamp

An 1897 China postage stamp sold for $618,000 at an auction in Hong Kong. The stamp, one of only 32 known, is called the "Small One Dollar".

$975,000 Camera: The World's Oldest

If you are into photographic collectibles, you can buy the world's oldest camera, which is made out of wood. It is going to be auctioned and is expected to sell for almost a million dollars.

Billionaires Fortunes Being Left to Charity

Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin just announced that he will be leaving all his money to charity.

The estate of billionaire Nina Wang will be given to the Chinachem Charitable Foundation Ltd., run by Wang's family members. The court rejected a claim from her feng shui practitioner.

Billionaire Branson Announces $25,000 a Week Catamaran

Billionaire Sir Richard Branson has announced his Necker Nymph, a catamaran which glides on the water. It can be rented for only $25,000 per week. His yacht, Necker Belle, can be rented for $88,000 a week.