SCENTED CANDLES ARE DE RIGUEUR FOR VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTING BUT WHAT IF YOUR VALENTINE'S WALKS ON FOUR LEGS? SNIFF IS A NEW SCENTED CANDLE THAT USES HOLISTIC AROMAS TO BENEFIT MAN'S BEST FRIEND. AFTER ALL, DOGS CAN IDENTIFY SMELLS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 1,000 TO 10,000 TIMES BETTER THAN THEIR HUMAN FRIENDS. THE ORGANIC DOG-FRIENDLY CANDLES INCLUDES SCENTS LIKE 'A DAY IN THE HAMPTONS' (A SUNNY SUMMER DAY SCENT WITH ROSEMARY, BASIL AND SPEARMINT); 'SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS' (GREEN PASTURES WITH TOMATO LEAVES AND CEDARWOOD); 'FIELD OF DREAMS' (SOOTHING LAVENDER, VETIVER AND SANDALWOOD); 'FRIENDS TO THE RESCUE' (A MIX OF LEMONGRASS, EUCALYPTUS AND GRAPEFRUIT HELD TOGETHER BY GERANIUM,, CYPRUS AND GINGER WITH A FINISH OF MONGOSTEEN TO KEEP PESTS AWAY) AND 'FART & AWAY' ( A MIX OF FLORAL YLANG YLANG, TUBEROSE, WHITE TEA, MYRTLE AND FENNEL FOR THE SMELLY DOG). SALES THROUGH FEBRUARY SUPPORT THE MIAMI-DADE ANIMAL SERVICES FOUNDATION, A FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO ENDING THE UNWANTED PET POPULATION WITH SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAMS IN MIAMI. CANDLES SELL FOR $32 EACH.

'SNIFF' CANDLES FOR DOGS

SCENTED CANDLES ARE DE RIGUEUR FOR VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTING BUT WHAT IF YOUR VALENTINE'S WALKS ON FOUR LEGS? SNIFF IS A NEW SCENTED CANDLE THAT USES HOLISTIC AROMAS TO BENEFIT MAN'S BEST FRIEND. AFTER ALL, DOGS CAN IDENTIFY SMELLS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 1,000 TO 10,000 TIMES BETTER THAN THEIR HUMAN FRIENDS. THE ORGANIC DOG-FRIENDLY CANDLES INCLUDES SCENTS LIKE 'A DAY IN THE HAMPTONS' (A SUNNY SUMMER DAY SCENT WITH ROSEMARY, BASIL AND SPEARMINT); 'SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS' (GREEN PASTURES WITH TOMATO LEAVES AND CEDARWOOD); 'FIELD OF DREAMS' (SOOTHING LAVENDER, VETIVER AND SANDALWOOD); 'FRIENDS TO THE RESCUE' (A MIX OF LEMONGRASS, EUCALYPTUS AND GRAPEFRUIT HELD TOGETHER BY GERANIUM,, CYPRUS AND GINGER WITH A FINISH OF MONGOSTEEN TO KEEP PESTS AWAY) AND 'FART & AWAY' ( A MIX OF FLORAL YLANG YLANG, TUBEROSE, WHITE TEA, MYRTLE AND FENNEL FOR THE SMELLY DOG). SALES THROUGH FEBRUARY SUPPORT THE MIAMI-DADE ANIMAL SERVICES FOUNDATION, A FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO ENDING THE UNWANTED PET POPULATION WITH SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAMS IN MIAMI. CANDLES SELL FOR $32 EACH.

'SNIFF' CANDLES FOR DOGS

LOUIS VUITTON AND YANA PEEL RECENTLY HOSTED AN 'ART FOR BABY' RECEPTION AT ESPACE LOUIS VUITTON HONG KONG. THE 'ART FOR BABY' EXHIBITION BROUGHT TOGETHER IN CELEBRATION OF THE ASIA LAUNCH OF THE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED BOOK BY THE SAME NAME. IT SHOWCASES THE 20th CENTURY'S MOST PROLIFIC PAINTERS FFROM AMERICA, EUROPE AND ASIA, WITH WORKS BY DAMIAN HIRST, GARY HUME, JULIAN OPE AND TAKASHI MURAKAMI. CHOSEN FROM AMONG WORKS BY KASMIR MALEVICH, PAUL MORRISON, BIDGET RILEY AND DAVID SHRIGLEY, EACH OF WHOM IS ALSO FEATURED IN THE ART FOR BABY BOOK. THE BOOK ART FOR BABY WAS CONCEIVED BY YANA PEEL ON THE BASIS OF SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT WHEN BABIES ARE FIRST BORN, THEY CAN SEE COLOUR BUT HAVE NOT YET DEVELOPED THE ABILITY TO DISTINGUISH SIMILAR TONES. AS A RESULT, BOLD GRAPHICS ALONG WITH MONOCHROMATIC BLACK AND WHITE CONTRASTS PROVIDE THEM WITH THE TOOLS TO NURTURE THEIR VISUAL SKILLS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME INTRODUCE THEM TO THE WORLD OF ART. THE ART FOR BABY EXHIBITION CONTINUES UNTIL APRIL.2011, AT ESPACE LOUIS VUITTON, 5 CANTON ROAD, HONG KONG, WITH ALL BOOK SALES GOING TO THE OUTSET CONTEMPORATY ART FUND.

LOUIS VUITTON'S 'ART FOR BABY'

LOUIS VUITTON AND YANA PEEL RECENTLY HOSTED AN 'ART FOR BABY' RECEPTION AT ESPACE LOUIS VUITTON HONG KONG. THE 'ART FOR BABY' EXHIBITION BROUGHT TOGETHER IN CELEBRATION OF THE ASIA LAUNCH OF THE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED BOOK BY THE SAME NAME. IT SHOWCASES THE 20th CENTURY'S MOST PROLIFIC PAINTERS FFROM AMERICA, EUROPE AND ASIA, WITH WORKS BY DAMIAN HIRST, GARY HUME, JULIAN OPE AND TAKASHI MURAKAMI. CHOSEN FROM AMONG WORKS BY KASMIR MALEVICH, PAUL MORRISON, BIDGET RILEY AND DAVID SHRIGLEY, EACH OF WHOM IS ALSO FEATURED IN THE ART FOR BABY BOOK. THE BOOK ART FOR BABY WAS CONCEIVED BY YANA PEEL ON THE BASIS OF SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT WHEN BABIES ARE FIRST BORN, THEY CAN SEE COLOUR BUT HAVE NOT YET DEVELOPED THE ABILITY TO DISTINGUISH SIMILAR TONES. AS A RESULT, BOLD GRAPHICS ALONG WITH MONOCHROMATIC BLACK AND WHITE CONTRASTS PROVIDE THEM WITH THE TOOLS TO NURTURE THEIR VISUAL SKILLS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME INTRODUCE THEM TO THE WORLD OF ART. THE ART FOR BABY EXHIBITION CONTINUES UNTIL APRIL.2011, AT ESPACE LOUIS VUITTON, 5 CANTON ROAD, HONG KONG, WITH ALL BOOK SALES GOING TO THE OUTSET CONTEMPORATY ART FUND.

LOUIS VUITTON'S 'ART FOR BABY'

THE SCHOOL SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME IN BALTIMORE ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE A LITTLE DIVINE LOVE FROM THE HOLY GRAIL OF BASEBALL CARDS. A NEWLY DISCOVERED T206 HONUS WAGNER CARD, LEFT TO THE CONVENT BY THE BROTHER OF A MEMBER OF THE ORDER WHEN HE PASSED AWAY, WILL BE AUCTIONED OFF ON 4.NOVEMBER IN DALLAS AS PART OF HERITAGE AUCTIONS' SIGNATURE SPORTS MEMORABILIA EVENT. THE CARD IS ESTIMATED TO BRING AT LEAST $100,000. 'THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS CARD WILL GO BENEFIT THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME ALL OVER THE WORLD, IN ABOUT 35 COUNTRIES', SAID SISTER VIRGINIA MULLER, TREASURER FOR THE BALTIMORE CONVENT. 'WHEREVER THE NEED IS, WE WILL SHARE IT.' NEW T206 WAGNER CARDS TURN UP ABOUT AS OFTEN AS BOTTLES OF 1921 DOM PERIGNON, AUCTION COMICS #1 OR A DIAMOND AS BIG AS YOUR FIST. NONETHELESS, THIS EXAMPLE TURNED UP IN MID-SUMMER 2010 WHEN THE CARD WAS LEFT TO THE CONVENT. WHILE THE CONDITION IS NOT GREAT, FAR BELOW THE MOST FAMOUS OF T206 EXAMPLES, WHICH SOLD FOR $2 MILLION, IT IS STILL QUITE VALUABLE, HAS CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF COLLECTORS EVERYWHERE AND REPRESENTS A REMARKABLE FIND IN THE WORLD OF HIGH-END CARDBOARD. IT CAME, PRESENTED SIMPLY IN PLASTIC, WITH A NOTE THAT READ: 'ALTHOUGH DAMAGED, THE VALUE OF THIS BASEBALL CARD SHOULD INCREASE EXPONENTIALLY THROUGHOUT THE 21st CENTURY.' 'FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THIS COPY OF THIS COVETED RARITY IS BEING PLACED ON THE AUCTION BLOCK', SAID CHRIS IVY, DIRECTOR OF HERITAGE SPORTS COLLECTIBLES. IT WAS WAGNER HIMSELF WHO PULLED THE PLUG ON THE USE OF HIS IMAGE ON THE CARD, CREATING HISTORY'S MOST FAMOUS BASEBALL CARD, THOUGH THE REASON IS A SUBJECT OF GOOD-SPIRITED DEBATE AMONG AFICIONADOS EVERYWHERE. 'THE MOST POPULAR STORY IS THAT WAGNER WANTED NO ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF TOBACCO USE TO KIDS', SAID IVY. 'ANOTHER THEORY ARGUES THAT IT WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A FAILURE TO AGREE ON MONEY THAT LED THE AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY TO END PRODUCTION OF WAGNER'S CARD SOON AFTER IT STARTED.' 'I HAD NO IDEA WHO HONUS WAGNER WAS BEFORE WE SAW THIS BASEBALL CARD', SISTER VIRGINIA, 'BUT I'VE CERTAINLY TRIED READ EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT HIM NOW.' EITHER WAY, THE BOON TO THE SCHOOL SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME IS OBVIOUS, AND THE POTENTIAL GOOD WORK DONE AS A RESULT OF THE SALE WILL ONLY ADD TO WAGNER'S LEGEND.

NEWLY DISCOVERED HONUS WAGNER CARD TO BE AUCTIONED

THE SCHOOL SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME IN BALTIMORE ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE A LITTLE DIVINE LOVE FROM THE HOLY GRAIL OF BASEBALL CARDS. A NEWLY DISCOVERED T206 HONUS WAGNER CARD, LEFT TO THE CONVENT BY THE BROTHER OF A MEMBER OF THE ORDER WHEN HE PASSED AWAY, WILL BE AUCTIONED OFF ON 4.NOVEMBER IN DALLAS AS PART OF HERITAGE AUCTIONS' SIGNATURE SPORTS MEMORABILIA EVENT. THE CARD IS ESTIMATED TO BRING AT LEAST $100,000. 'THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS CARD WILL GO BENEFIT THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME ALL OVER THE WORLD, IN ABOUT 35 COUNTRIES', SAID SISTER VIRGINIA MULLER, TREASURER FOR THE BALTIMORE CONVENT. 'WHEREVER THE NEED IS, WE WILL SHARE IT.' NEW T206 WAGNER CARDS TURN UP ABOUT AS OFTEN AS BOTTLES OF 1921 DOM PERIGNON, AUCTION COMICS #1 OR A DIAMOND AS BIG AS YOUR FIST. NONETHELESS, THIS EXAMPLE TURNED UP IN MID-SUMMER 2010 WHEN THE CARD WAS LEFT TO THE CONVENT. WHILE THE CONDITION IS NOT GREAT, FAR BELOW THE MOST FAMOUS OF T206 EXAMPLES, WHICH SOLD FOR $2 MILLION, IT IS STILL QUITE VALUABLE, HAS CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF COLLECTORS EVERYWHERE AND REPRESENTS A REMARKABLE FIND IN THE WORLD OF HIGH-END CARDBOARD. IT CAME, PRESENTED SIMPLY IN PLASTIC, WITH A NOTE THAT READ: 'ALTHOUGH DAMAGED, THE VALUE OF THIS BASEBALL CARD SHOULD INCREASE EXPONENTIALLY THROUGHOUT THE 21st CENTURY.' 'FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THIS COPY OF THIS COVETED RARITY IS BEING PLACED ON THE AUCTION BLOCK', SAID CHRIS IVY, DIRECTOR OF HERITAGE SPORTS COLLECTIBLES. IT WAS WAGNER HIMSELF WHO PULLED THE PLUG ON THE USE OF HIS IMAGE ON THE CARD, CREATING HISTORY'S MOST FAMOUS BASEBALL CARD, THOUGH THE REASON IS A SUBJECT OF GOOD-SPIRITED DEBATE AMONG AFICIONADOS EVERYWHERE. 'THE MOST POPULAR STORY IS THAT WAGNER WANTED NO ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF TOBACCO USE TO KIDS', SAID IVY. 'ANOTHER THEORY ARGUES THAT IT WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A FAILURE TO AGREE ON MONEY THAT LED THE AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY TO END PRODUCTION OF WAGNER'S CARD SOON AFTER IT STARTED.' 'I HAD NO IDEA WHO HONUS WAGNER WAS BEFORE WE SAW THIS BASEBALL CARD', SISTER VIRGINIA, 'BUT I'VE CERTAINLY TRIED READ EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT HIM NOW.' EITHER WAY, THE BOON TO THE SCHOOL SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME IS OBVIOUS, AND THE POTENTIAL GOOD WORK DONE AS A RESULT OF THE SALE WILL ONLY ADD TO WAGNER'S LEGEND.

NEWLY DISCOVERED HONUS WAGNER CARD TO BE AUCTIONED

THE MOST EXPENSIVE BARBIE IN THE WORLD, WITH JEWELS DESIGNED BY AUSTRALIA'S STEFANO CATURI, HAS BEEN SOLD AT CHRISTIE'S IN NEW YORK FOR $302,500. MATTEL COMMISSIONED CANTURI TO CREATE A FINGER-WIDE NECKPIECE AND TINY MATCHING RING TO PROMOTE ITS NEW BARBIE COLLECTION. THE JEWELERY SET FEATURES A NECKLACE MADE FROM THREE CARATS OF WHITE DIAMONDS SET AROUND A ONE CARAT, SQUARE EMERALD-CUT PINK DIAMOND. JEWELER STEFANO CANTURI ALSO DESIGNED THE DOLL'S BLACK STRAPLESS PARTY DRESS, PEEP-TOE STILETTOS AND TUMBLING BLONDE HAIR. 'I WANTED THE JEWELRY DESIGN TO PAY HOMAGE TO BARBIE'S MODERN YET TIMELESS STYLE OVER THE AGES', CANTURI SAID. THE DESIGN WAS INSPIRED BY CUBISM. THE CANTURI BARBIE NOW LEADS THE PACK OF MOST EXPENSIVE BARBIE DOLLS EVER MADE, FOLLOWED BY BARBIE AND THE DIAMOND CASTLE PROMOTIONAL BARBIE ($95,361). ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE ARE GOING TO AID BREAST CANCER RESEARCH.

BARBIE DESIGNED BY STEFANO CATURI SELLS FOR $302,500

THE MOST EXPENSIVE BARBIE IN THE WORLD, WITH JEWELS DESIGNED BY AUSTRALIA'S STEFANO CATURI, HAS BEEN SOLD AT CHRISTIE'S IN NEW YORK FOR $302,500. MATTEL COMMISSIONED CANTURI TO CREATE A FINGER-WIDE NECKPIECE AND TINY MATCHING RING TO PROMOTE ITS NEW BARBIE COLLECTION. THE JEWELERY SET FEATURES A NECKLACE MADE FROM THREE CARATS OF WHITE DIAMONDS SET AROUND A ONE CARAT, SQUARE EMERALD-CUT PINK DIAMOND. JEWELER STEFANO CANTURI ALSO DESIGNED THE DOLL'S BLACK STRAPLESS PARTY DRESS, PEEP-TOE STILETTOS AND TUMBLING BLONDE HAIR. 'I WANTED THE JEWELRY DESIGN TO PAY HOMAGE TO BARBIE'S MODERN YET TIMELESS STYLE OVER THE AGES', CANTURI SAID. THE DESIGN WAS INSPIRED BY CUBISM. THE CANTURI BARBIE NOW LEADS THE PACK OF MOST EXPENSIVE BARBIE DOLLS EVER MADE, FOLLOWED BY BARBIE AND THE DIAMOND CASTLE PROMOTIONAL BARBIE ($95,361). ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE ARE GOING TO AID BREAST CANCER RESEARCH.

BARBIE DESIGNED BY STEFANO CATURI SELLS FOR $302,500

AUDREY HEPBURN LEFT AN INDELIBLE IMPRESSION, AN IMPRINT OF GRACIOUS COMPASSION AND RESPECT, WHICH ENDURES IN A FASHION AS TIMELESS AS HER HER HEART. IN 2002 THE GERMAN MINISTRY OF FINANCE DECIDED TO HONOR HEPBURN WITH A STAMP AND ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE AUDREY HEPBURN CHILDREN'S FUND (AHCF). DUE TO AND INTERNAL BREAKDOWN THE PRINTING OF THE 14 MILLION STAMPS FOR THE GERMAN POST WAS ORDERED PRIOR TO OBTAINING THE CONTRACTUAL APPROVALS FROM THE AHCF. THE AHCF, UNAWARE OF THE PRINTING, ORDERED THE ENTIRE STOCK DESTROYED...BUT FOR THREE SHEETS, I KEPT BY THE MINISTRY, I BY THE PRINTER AND ONE LOCATED RECENTLY IN A FILE IN THE OFFICE OF SEAN HEPBURN FERRER, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AHCF. THESE STAMPS ARE TODAY, BY AGREEMENT WITH THE MINISTRY, THE ONLY UN-POSTED SPECIMENS AVAILABLE FOR SALE (5 POSTMARKED STAMPS WERE SOLD AT AUCTION FOR THE PRICES RANGING FROM 50,000 TO 125,000 EUROS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT SOMEONE HIGH UP INSIDE THE MINISTRY PICKED A SINGLE SHEET HOT OFF THE PRESS AND SENT LETTERS TO FRIENDS). THE MINT CONDITION SHEET OF 10 STAMPS IS THE OBJECT OF UNPRECEDENTED DESIRABILITY AND UNIQUE VALUE IN THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE OF MODERN PHILATELY. THE MINIMUM RESERVE IS SET AT A RECORD 500,000 EUROS. THE AUDREY HEPBURN STAMP IS ESTIMATED TO REACH CLOSE TO A MILLION EUROS ON THE FINAL HAMMER. 100% OF THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO CHARITY THROUGH THE AHCF AND UNICEF. THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE ON 16.OCTOBER IN BERLIN AND WILL PROVIDE 300 SEATS, MOST OF WHICH HAVE BEEN RESERVED IN ADVANCE. THE DEMAND AND REQUESTS HAVE BEEN SO NUMEROUS AND HAS ALREADY GONE TO A 'WAITING LIST'.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT briefmarken-schlegel.de

RARE AUDREY HEPBURN STAMP SHEET TO BE AUCTIONED FOR CHARITY

AUDREY HEPBURN LEFT AN INDELIBLE IMPRESSION, AN IMPRINT OF GRACIOUS COMPASSION AND RESPECT, WHICH ENDURES IN A FASHION AS TIMELESS AS HER HER HEART. IN 2002 THE GERMAN MINISTRY OF FINANCE DECIDED TO HONOR HEPBURN WITH A STAMP AND ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE AUDREY HEPBURN CHILDREN'S FUND (AHCF). DUE TO AND INTERNAL BREAKDOWN THE PRINTING OF THE 14 MILLION STAMPS FOR THE GERMAN POST WAS ORDERED PRIOR TO OBTAINING THE CONTRACTUAL APPROVALS FROM THE AHCF. THE AHCF, UNAWARE OF THE PRINTING, ORDERED THE ENTIRE STOCK DESTROYED...BUT FOR THREE SHEETS, I KEPT BY THE MINISTRY, I BY THE PRINTER AND ONE LOCATED RECENTLY IN A FILE IN THE OFFICE OF SEAN HEPBURN FERRER, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AHCF. THESE STAMPS ARE TODAY, BY AGREEMENT WITH THE MINISTRY, THE ONLY UN-POSTED SPECIMENS AVAILABLE FOR SALE (5 POSTMARKED STAMPS WERE SOLD AT AUCTION FOR THE PRICES RANGING FROM 50,000 TO 125,000 EUROS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT SOMEONE HIGH UP INSIDE THE MINISTRY PICKED A SINGLE SHEET HOT OFF THE PRESS AND SENT LETTERS TO FRIENDS). THE MINT CONDITION SHEET OF 10 STAMPS IS THE OBJECT OF UNPRECEDENTED DESIRABILITY AND UNIQUE VALUE IN THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE OF MODERN PHILATELY. THE MINIMUM RESERVE IS SET AT A RECORD 500,000 EUROS. THE AUDREY HEPBURN STAMP IS ESTIMATED TO REACH CLOSE TO A MILLION EUROS ON THE FINAL HAMMER. 100% OF THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO CHARITY THROUGH THE AHCF AND UNICEF. THE AUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE ON 16.OCTOBER IN BERLIN AND WILL PROVIDE 300 SEATS, MOST OF WHICH HAVE BEEN RESERVED IN ADVANCE. THE DEMAND AND REQUESTS HAVE BEEN SO NUMEROUS AND HAS ALREADY GONE TO A 'WAITING LIST'.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT briefmarken-schlegel.de

RARE AUDREY HEPBURN STAMP SHEET TO BE AUCTIONED FOR CHARITY

THE WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE BOTTLE OF WHISKEY, A ONE OF A KIND CRYSTAL LALIQUE DECANTER HOLDING THE OLDEST AND RAREST MACALLAN SINGLE MALT EVER, WILL BE AUCTIONED OFF BY SOTHEBY'S IN NEW YORK ON 16.NOVEMBER FOR AN ESTIMATED $150,000 OR MORE. THE MACALLAN IN LALIQUE CIRE PERDUE IS FILLED WITH 64 YEARS AND OLDER MACALLAN SINGLE MALT SCOTCH, VATTED TOGETHER FROM THREE SHERRY SEASONED SPANISH OAK CASKS. THE FAMED SPEYSUDE DISTILLERY COMMISSIONED THE LEGENDARY CRYSTAL ARTISAN TO CREATE THE STUNNING DECANTER USING THE ANCIENT 'CIRE PERDUE' OR 'LOST WAX' METHOD. PAINSTAKINGLY HAND CRAFTED BY LALIQUE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE MACALLAN, AND INSPIRED BY THE BEAUTY OF THE MACALLAN'S 150 HECTARE ESTATE IN NORTH EASTERN SCOTLAND, IT'S BASED UPON A SHIP'S DECANTER OF THE 1820s. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE WILL BE DONATED TO CHARITY: WATER, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION BRINGING CLEAN WATER AND SAFE DRINKING WATER TO PEOPLE IN DEVELOPING NATIONS.

MACALLAN LALIQUE CIRE PERDUE TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION

THE WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE BOTTLE OF WHISKEY, A ONE OF A KIND CRYSTAL LALIQUE DECANTER HOLDING THE OLDEST AND RAREST MACALLAN SINGLE MALT EVER, WILL BE AUCTIONED OFF BY SOTHEBY'S IN NEW YORK ON 16.NOVEMBER FOR AN ESTIMATED $150,000 OR MORE. THE MACALLAN IN LALIQUE CIRE PERDUE IS FILLED WITH 64 YEARS AND OLDER MACALLAN SINGLE MALT SCOTCH, VATTED TOGETHER FROM THREE SHERRY SEASONED SPANISH OAK CASKS. THE FAMED SPEYSUDE DISTILLERY COMMISSIONED THE LEGENDARY CRYSTAL ARTISAN TO CREATE THE STUNNING DECANTER USING THE ANCIENT 'CIRE PERDUE' OR 'LOST WAX' METHOD. PAINSTAKINGLY HAND CRAFTED BY LALIQUE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE MACALLAN, AND INSPIRED BY THE BEAUTY OF THE MACALLAN'S 150 HECTARE ESTATE IN NORTH EASTERN SCOTLAND, IT'S BASED UPON A SHIP'S DECANTER OF THE 1820s. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE WILL BE DONATED TO CHARITY: WATER, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION BRINGING CLEAN WATER AND SAFE DRINKING WATER TO PEOPLE IN DEVELOPING NATIONS.

MACALLAN LALIQUE CIRE PERDUE TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION

TODAY, THE NATIONAL TRUST AND THE ART FUND ARE LAUNCHING A £2.7 MILLION FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO SAVE AN ICONIC OLD MASTER PAINTING FOR THE NATION. 'THE PROCESSION TO CALVARY' BY PIETER BRUEGHEL THE YOUNGER IS THE STAR ATTRACTION AT NOSTELL PRIORY IN YORKSHIRE, OWNED BY THE NATIONAL TRUST SINCE 1954, WHERE IT HAS HUNG FOR OVER 200 YEARS. NOW, HOWEVER, THE PAINTING, WHICH IS STILL OWNED BY LORD ST OSWALD, HAS BEEN PUT UP FOR SALE, WITH THE RISK THAT NOSTELL'S GREATEST WORK WILL NO LONGER BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. COMPLETED IN 1602, AND AMONGST BRUEGHEL THE YOUNGER'S FINEST WORKS, THE PROCESSION TO CALVARY SHOWS CHRIST CARRYING THE CROSS ON THE WAY TO HIS CRUCIFIXION. HE IS SURROUNDED BY OVER TWO HUNDRED FIGURES IN A VIBRANT NARRATIVE, SET IN A CONTEMPORARY FLEMISH LANDSCAPE. THE PAINTING INCLUDES A HOST OF CAREFULLY OBSERVED INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS: RELIGIOUS FIGURES, PEASANTS, CHILDREN, ANIMALS, GENTRY AND SOLDIERS. REMARKABLE FOR BOTH ITS COMPOSITIONAL DEXTERITY AND ITS DETAILED CHARACTERIZATIONS, THE PICTURE ALSO INCLUDES AMBIGUOUS SOCIAL AND POLITICAL NARRATIVES: 'THE PROCESSION TO CALVARY' IS ONE OF BRUEGHEL'S MOST INTRIGUING AND FASCINATING WORKS. THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN GIVEN AN INITIAL MAJOR BOOST WITH £500,000 DONATION FORM THE ART FUND, BUT IT IS HOPED THAT THE REMAINING £2.2 MILLION CAN BE RAISED BY CHRISTMAS TO SECURE THE PAINTING'S FUTURE. TO ENABLE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO SEE 'THE PROCESSION TO CALVARY' DURING THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN, THE PAINTING WILL BE DISPLAYED IN LONDON, AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY FROM 5.NOVEMBER AND THEN AT THE YORK ART GALLERY FROM 18.NOVEMBER UNTIL CHRISTMAS.

ART FUND LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO SAVE BRUEGHEL PAINTING

TODAY, THE NATIONAL TRUST AND THE ART FUND ARE LAUNCHING A £2.7 MILLION FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO SAVE AN ICONIC OLD MASTER PAINTING FOR THE NATION. 'THE PROCESSION TO CALVARY' BY PIETER BRUEGHEL THE YOUNGER IS THE STAR ATTRACTION AT NOSTELL PRIORY IN YORKSHIRE, OWNED BY THE NATIONAL TRUST SINCE 1954, WHERE IT HAS HUNG FOR OVER 200 YEARS. NOW, HOWEVER, THE PAINTING, WHICH IS STILL OWNED BY LORD ST OSWALD, HAS BEEN PUT UP FOR SALE, WITH THE RISK THAT NOSTELL'S GREATEST WORK WILL NO LONGER BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. COMPLETED IN 1602, AND AMONGST BRUEGHEL THE YOUNGER'S FINEST WORKS, THE PROCESSION TO CALVARY SHOWS CHRIST CARRYING THE CROSS ON THE WAY TO HIS CRUCIFIXION. HE IS SURROUNDED BY OVER TWO HUNDRED FIGURES IN A VIBRANT NARRATIVE, SET IN A CONTEMPORARY FLEMISH LANDSCAPE. THE PAINTING INCLUDES A HOST OF CAREFULLY OBSERVED INDIVIDUAL PORTRAITS: RELIGIOUS FIGURES, PEASANTS, CHILDREN, ANIMALS, GENTRY AND SOLDIERS. REMARKABLE FOR BOTH ITS COMPOSITIONAL DEXTERITY AND ITS DETAILED CHARACTERIZATIONS, THE PICTURE ALSO INCLUDES AMBIGUOUS SOCIAL AND POLITICAL NARRATIVES: 'THE PROCESSION TO CALVARY' IS ONE OF BRUEGHEL'S MOST INTRIGUING AND FASCINATING WORKS. THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN GIVEN AN INITIAL MAJOR BOOST WITH £500,000 DONATION FORM THE ART FUND, BUT IT IS HOPED THAT THE REMAINING £2.2 MILLION CAN BE RAISED BY CHRISTMAS TO SECURE THE PAINTING'S FUTURE. TO ENABLE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO SEE 'THE PROCESSION TO CALVARY' DURING THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN, THE PAINTING WILL BE DISPLAYED IN LONDON, AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY FROM 5.NOVEMBER AND THEN AT THE YORK ART GALLERY FROM 18.NOVEMBER UNTIL CHRISTMAS.

ART FUND LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO SAVE BRUEGHEL PAINTING

THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF ITS NEWEST EXHIBITION HALL RECENTLY WITH A GLITZY PARTY, COMPLETE WITH HOLLYWOOD HEAVYWEIGHTS, ART ICONS AND ENTERTAINMENT BY CHRISTINA AGUILERA. AMONG THE ACTORS IN THE STAR-STUDDED CROWD WERE TOM HANKS AND WIFE RITA WILSON, TERRI HATCHER, JAMES FRANCO, JOAN COLLINS, MOLLY SIMS AND OLIVIA WILDE. PRODUCERS BRIAN GRAZER AND MARK BURNETT AND REALITY STARLETS NICOLE RICHIE AND KIM KARSASHIAN ALSO ATTENDED THE FUND RAISING EVENT, WHICH HAD THE GLAMOR OF A FILM PREMIER AND GENERATED NEARLY $5 MILLION FOR LACMA. MUSEUM TRUSTEE JANE NATHANSON CALLED IT 'THE MOST SPECTACULAR AND SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISER FOR ART IN LOS ANGELES.' LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CLAD IN COLOURFUL 18th CENTURY COSTUMES WELCOMED GUESTS TO THE PRIVATE BLACK-TIE AFFAIR, CALLED 'THE UNMASKING' AS IT REVEALED THE SPRAWLING NEW BUILDING THAT BROKE GROUND IN 2008. GUESTS WERE GIVEN GOLD AND SILVER MASKS AS THEY WALKED DOWN A LONG RED CARPET ON THEIR WAY TO THE LYNDA AND STEWART RESNICK EXHIBITION PAVILION. DESIGNED BY FAMED ARCHITECT RENZO PIANO, THE WINDOW-LINED, NATURALLY LIT 45,000 SQUARE FOOT SPACE WAS DIVIDED TO HOUSE A TRIO OF INAUGURAL EXHIBITS: 'OLMEC:COLOSSAL MASTERWORKS OF ANCIENT MEXICO', WITH GREAT BASALT CARVINGS RARELY SEEN OUTSIDE OF MEXICO; 'EYE FOR THE SENSUAL: SELECTIONS FROM THE RESNICK COLLECTION', WHICH FEATURES EUROPEAN PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURES FROM THE BUILDING'S BENEFACTORS' OWN PERSONAL COLLECTION; AND 'FASHIONING FASHION: EUROPEAN DRESS IN DETAIL, 1700-1915', A LOOK AT THE EVOLUTION OF MODERN DRESS AND THE BUSTLES AND PETTICOATS OF FASHION'S PAST. THE RESNICKS, WHO DONATED $45 MILLION TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION OF THEIR NAMESAKE BUILDING, WERE THE GUESTS OF HONOR AT A DINNER THAT FOLLOWED. AN ADJACENT TENT BECAME AN ELEGANT SUPPER CLUB FOR THE 1,000 OR SO GUESTS, WITH A SMALL ROTATING PLATFORM IN THE CENTER AND A WALL AT ONE END THAT FELL AWAY TO REVEAL A FULL STAGE. THAT'S WHERE AGUILERA, BACKED BY A 20-PIECE ORCHESTRA AND TWO SINGERS, PERFORMED HER SET. LOOKING LIKE A HOLLYWOOD SIREN IN LONG PLATINUM HAIR AND A CURVE-HUGGING CREAM GOWN, AGUILERA SANG HER HIT SONG, 'BEAUTIFUL', FOLLOWED BY WHAT SHE CALLED 'MY FAVORITE SONG OF ALL TIME', JOHN LENNON'S 'IMAGINE'. THE LYNDA AND STEWART RESNICK EXHIBITION PAVILION OPENS TO THE PUBLIC ON 2.OCTOBER.

LACMA CELEBRATES NEW EXHIBITION HALL

THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF ITS NEWEST EXHIBITION HALL RECENTLY WITH A GLITZY PARTY, COMPLETE WITH HOLLYWOOD HEAVYWEIGHTS, ART ICONS AND ENTERTAINMENT BY CHRISTINA AGUILERA. AMONG THE ACTORS IN THE STAR-STUDDED CROWD WERE TOM HANKS AND WIFE RITA WILSON, TERRI HATCHER, JAMES FRANCO, JOAN COLLINS, MOLLY SIMS AND OLIVIA WILDE. PRODUCERS BRIAN GRAZER AND MARK BURNETT AND REALITY STARLETS NICOLE RICHIE AND KIM KARSASHIAN ALSO ATTENDED THE FUND RAISING EVENT, WHICH HAD THE GLAMOR OF A FILM PREMIER AND GENERATED NEARLY $5 MILLION FOR LACMA. MUSEUM TRUSTEE JANE NATHANSON CALLED IT 'THE MOST SPECTACULAR AND SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISER FOR ART IN LOS ANGELES.' LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CLAD IN COLOURFUL 18th CENTURY COSTUMES WELCOMED GUESTS TO THE PRIVATE BLACK-TIE AFFAIR, CALLED 'THE UNMASKING' AS IT REVEALED THE SPRAWLING NEW BUILDING THAT BROKE GROUND IN 2008. GUESTS WERE GIVEN GOLD AND SILVER MASKS AS THEY WALKED DOWN A LONG RED CARPET ON THEIR WAY TO THE LYNDA AND STEWART RESNICK EXHIBITION PAVILION. DESIGNED BY FAMED ARCHITECT RENZO PIANO, THE WINDOW-LINED, NATURALLY LIT 45,000 SQUARE FOOT SPACE WAS DIVIDED TO HOUSE A TRIO OF INAUGURAL EXHIBITS: 'OLMEC:COLOSSAL MASTERWORKS OF ANCIENT MEXICO', WITH GREAT BASALT CARVINGS RARELY SEEN OUTSIDE OF MEXICO; 'EYE FOR THE SENSUAL: SELECTIONS FROM THE RESNICK COLLECTION', WHICH FEATURES EUROPEAN PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURES FROM THE BUILDING'S BENEFACTORS' OWN PERSONAL COLLECTION; AND 'FASHIONING FASHION: EUROPEAN DRESS IN DETAIL, 1700-1915', A LOOK AT THE EVOLUTION OF MODERN DRESS AND THE BUSTLES AND PETTICOATS OF FASHION'S PAST. THE RESNICKS, WHO DONATED $45 MILLION TOWARD THE CONSTRUCTION OF THEIR NAMESAKE BUILDING, WERE THE GUESTS OF HONOR AT A DINNER THAT FOLLOWED. AN ADJACENT TENT BECAME AN ELEGANT SUPPER CLUB FOR THE 1,000 OR SO GUESTS, WITH A SMALL ROTATING PLATFORM IN THE CENTER AND A WALL AT ONE END THAT FELL AWAY TO REVEAL A FULL STAGE. THAT'S WHERE AGUILERA, BACKED BY A 20-PIECE ORCHESTRA AND TWO SINGERS, PERFORMED HER SET. LOOKING LIKE A HOLLYWOOD SIREN IN LONG PLATINUM HAIR AND A CURVE-HUGGING CREAM GOWN, AGUILERA SANG HER HIT SONG, 'BEAUTIFUL', FOLLOWED BY WHAT SHE CALLED 'MY FAVORITE SONG OF ALL TIME', JOHN LENNON'S 'IMAGINE'. THE LYNDA AND STEWART RESNICK EXHIBITION PAVILION OPENS TO THE PUBLIC ON 2.OCTOBER.

LACMA CELEBRATES NEW EXHIBITION HALL

THE LATEST IN THE BEAUTIFUL LOUIS VUITTON AD CAMPAIGN SHOT BY ANNIE LEIBIVITZ FEATURES U2 FRONTMAN BONO (AKA PAUL HEWSON) AND HIS WIFE, ALI HEWSON. WWD SAYS THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT BONO HAS APPEARED IN AN AD WITHOUT HIS U2 BANDMATES. IT'S ALSO THE FIRST TIME THAT A LABEL OTHER THAN VUITTON IS GETTING A FASHION CREDIT, THE PAIR ARE WEARING THEIR OWN CLOTHING LINE, EDUN, A LINE OF ETHICAL FASHION. VUITTON PARENT COMPANY OWNS 49% STAKE IN THE COMPANY. IN THE NEW AD, ALI HEWSON CARRIES A NEW HANDBAG THAT WAS A JOINT PROJECT BETWEEN EDUN AND VUITTON AND HAS A SPECIAL CHARM THAT IS THE FRENCH LUXURY FIRM'S FIRST MADE IN AFRICA PRODUCT. PROCEEDS FROM THE BAG WILL GO TO TECHNOSERVE, A NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION, WHICH SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE FARMING IN AFRICA. THE AD SHOWS THE PAIR LEAVING A PLANE WITH A SOUTH AFRICAN LANDSCAPE AS A BACKDROP AND CARRIES THE TAGLINE 'EVERY JOURNEY BEGAN IN AFRICA'. THEY DONATED THEIR FEES TO TECHNOSERVE, CONSERVATION COTTON INITIATIVE AND CHERNOBYL CHILDREN'S PROJECT INTERNATIONAL. PREVIOUS ADS HAVE FEATURED MIKHAIL GORBACHEV, KEITH RICHARDS, JOHN GLENN, SALLY RIDE AND CATHERINE DENUEVE AMONG OTHERS.

NEW LOUIS VUITTON AD FEATURE BONO AND HIS WIFE

THE LATEST IN THE BEAUTIFUL LOUIS VUITTON AD CAMPAIGN SHOT BY ANNIE LEIBIVITZ FEATURES U2 FRONTMAN BONO (AKA PAUL HEWSON) AND HIS WIFE, ALI HEWSON. WWD SAYS THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT BONO HAS APPEARED IN AN AD WITHOUT HIS U2 BANDMATES. IT'S ALSO THE FIRST TIME THAT A LABEL OTHER THAN VUITTON IS GETTING A FASHION CREDIT, THE PAIR ARE WEARING THEIR OWN CLOTHING LINE, EDUN, A LINE OF ETHICAL FASHION. VUITTON PARENT COMPANY OWNS 49% STAKE IN THE COMPANY. IN THE NEW AD, ALI HEWSON CARRIES A NEW HANDBAG THAT WAS A JOINT PROJECT BETWEEN EDUN AND VUITTON AND HAS A SPECIAL CHARM THAT IS THE FRENCH LUXURY FIRM'S FIRST MADE IN AFRICA PRODUCT. PROCEEDS FROM THE BAG WILL GO TO TECHNOSERVE, A NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION, WHICH SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE FARMING IN AFRICA. THE AD SHOWS THE PAIR LEAVING A PLANE WITH A SOUTH AFRICAN LANDSCAPE AS A BACKDROP AND CARRIES THE TAGLINE 'EVERY JOURNEY BEGAN IN AFRICA'. THEY DONATED THEIR FEES TO TECHNOSERVE, CONSERVATION COTTON INITIATIVE AND CHERNOBYL CHILDREN'S PROJECT INTERNATIONAL. PREVIOUS ADS HAVE FEATURED MIKHAIL GORBACHEV, KEITH RICHARDS, JOHN GLENN, SALLY RIDE AND CATHERINE DENUEVE AMONG OTHERS.

NEW LOUIS VUITTON AD FEATURE BONO AND HIS WIFE