January 31, 2003
Greetings Accumulators!
Sorry about last week! As you may have heard, some strange virus infected the Internet last weekend and it was tough getting around and tough getting anything out. Add to that the fact that I hate my computer and my computer hates me, and you can see why no newsletter came out last week. I gave up on Saturday evening. So, first off, let me tell you that I'm appearing on the Montel Williams Show again, one week from today, on February 7th. You have to check your local listings for the time and the station. It was a pretty funny show, and I actually sang on it.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THEY SAY THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS BAD PUBLICITY
As if it weren't enough to have TV networks scrambling to be the first to run a special exposing his bizarre self, Michael Jackson has managed to get himself into the news for stiffing Sotheby's. Sotheby's has filed a lawsuit claiming Jackson's company, MJJ Productions, successfully bid on two artworks by French painter William Adolphe Bouguereau at an October auction, and never paid for them, despite "repeated demands" for a 1.3 million dollar payment.
Sotheby's says in the suit it has been told by Jackson's people that Jackson "now believes the property no longer fits into [his] collections, contrary to previous view." Sotheby's is demanding the payment and 360,000 dollars in late fees and other charges. And you thought the world would explode if you didn't make your $350 a month car payment!
OBSESSIVE COLLECTORS DEPARTMENT
Those wild and crazy German pranksters! A bunch of them broke into a nursery school near Frankfurt and stole every Lego in the place, bypassing the school's computers and cash on hand. They even took a lone Lego brick that was being used to prop up an alarm clock that had a missing foot. Detectives have been unable to trace the toy-takers. "We have no idea why the thieves took the Lego and not the more expensive equipment, said a police spokesman, "but it will help them pass the time of day in jail once we have caught them." Hah! Tough talk from a department that doesn't have a clue. Perhaps they should search the streets for unfamiliar buildings and brightly-colored bridges.
WELL, NO ONE WANTS TO DRIVE A YUGO, DO THEY?
The Yugoslavian government is having a car auction. Up for sale are 13 limousines and other vehicles once used in the motorcade of the late dictator Josip Tito. Apparently the MIghty Marshall lived a pretty good while he was President For Life. The auction on February 27 will include two custom-made Mercedes limousines with removable hard tops (minimum bid: $508,000 each), a 1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom (starting price $206,800) and 10 BMW motorcycles. No, the motorcylces were not used by Tito to make a quick beer run down to the Quickie-Mart. They were used by members of Tito's vast security service. Proceeds from the sale will go to the state. And yes, the cars are bullet-proof. But not when the tops are off.
SITE-SEEING
Stuck In the 70's - If you still love your bellbottoms and The Brady Bunch, you may be stuck in the Seventies, like the owner of this site. Check out the collectibles page, and you'll no longer be embarrassed by the lava lamp in your closet. LINK.
The Forgotten Toyshop - This one is a boon for us toy collectors. This group will actively search all of England for that action figure or Lone Ranger collectible, and then will email you with the cost when they've found it. Ah, the beauty of an international market! LINK
Quality Pop Culture - If you're a dealer or a buyer of collectibles, you need to keep your finger on the pulse of pop culture. Pop Culture Magazine is dedicated to the enlightenment of us all regarding Quality Pop Culture. Yes, I know, it seems like an oxymoron, but the mag. calims it isn't. So, go explore the site and see people and their cultural obsessions. Some interesting articles here. LINK
Time to take my leave, Accumulators, before this horrible machine (oh I hate you I hate you I hate you, my computer!) crashes again. Tomorrow it's off to the country house, to dig our way into the house, and to attend tomorrow night's auction at The Old Red Barn in Cuddebackville, NY. Nice furniture this month and many pleasantries from Vince, Bob, and The Lovely Linda. have a great week, Accumulators. Happy hunting!
Best,
Judith
© 2003 Judith Katz-Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Antiques and Collectibles Newsletter #206
U.S. Library of Congress
ISSN 1520-4464
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