Amongst the collectible this year, which has seen a surge in demand, is original manuscripts dating back in history, with each marking significant chapters of the past. The most recent recall of a significant manuscript going up for auction, has been Juan Latino manuscript that was estimated to sell for around $60,000. Latest reports now reveal that the recently held auction of Charlotte Bronte and John Keats manuscripts have sold at record prices. As a part of the Roy Davids Collection Part III: Poetry: Poetical Manuscripts and Portraits of Poets auction event, the John Keats manuscript from his early poem ‘I stood tiptoe on a little hill’ sold for £181,250 ($278,128), and Charlotte Bronte’s ‘I’ve been wondering in the greenwoods’ bought in £92,450 ($141,864), both of which stood to be record breaking prices for their works.

Charlotte Bronte’s manuscript from ‘I’ve been wondering in the greenwoods’

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A copy of the Bay Psalm book, dating back to 1640 known to be one of the 11 surviving copies today, is stated to become the most expensive book in the world, with an estimated value of $30 million. Stated to be put up for auction in November , this rare copy is known to be one of the first printed copies in the United States, and has been in the possession of the Old South Church in Boston, where one more such copy is known to exist. However, the other copy will not be put up for auction, as it will be kept as a heirloom object passed on from the 5th Minister of the church, Reverend Thomas Prince. However, if this book realizes the estimated value at the Sotheby’s auction, it will sit on the top of the list of the most expensive books, a title earlier held by the ‘Birds of America’, created by John James Audubon.

1640 Bay Psalm Book copy stated to become the most expensive book ever sold

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For those interested in Western European history, the recent auctions in 2013 have kept the collectors quite busy. Recently, King Louis XVI’s bloodstained cloth from his assassination was sold for $24,400 (€19,000) at a Paris auction. Now a series of highly sought after gamut of artifacts relating to the British Kingdom’s imperial history is set to go on sale, which includes a King Richard III signed document, King Charles I portrait, and some of Princess Margaret’s personal jewelry and collectibles as well. Though they have been a part of a glorious part with noted owners owning them, the trend has shown that royal memorabilia auctions have typically managed to kick up a storm of bidders, like witnessed in the case of the 2012 royal auctions.

Royal Items to go up for auction

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One of the European history greatest episodes, the French Revolution in 1793 still evokes a sense a historical nostalgia, as its implications changed the political sphere of the Western European nation. The noble and royalty from France were put to death via guillotine, and King Louis XVI wasn’t spared either. After his execution, Parisians struggled with each other to get a piece of memorabilia as heirloom, and one of them has come up for auction after all these years, which is a blood stained cloth stated to be King Louis XVI’s own. The auction of the cloth shall take place at the event organized by Coutau Begarie auction house, in Paris on April 3 this year.

King Louis XVI painting

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For those who collect earth’s pre-historic memorabilia, the era when the dinosaurs survived hold a special meaning. It was then, that a large species of animals existed, which later became extinct due to various natural reasons. Nicolas Cage is one such personality who is known to have a wide collection of such pre-historic artifacts, and its not just him that spends premium cash to own these things. We have seen the dinosaur egg sale via Bonham’s Natural History auction in 2009, and the $1 million Tyrannosaurus skeleton which went on sale last year. This year, a giant egg from an extinct elephant bird will go under the hammer (not literally!) during a Christie’s event. The estimated value of this rare egg is $45,000, but with the craze among the niche natural history collectors, the barrier could go further.

Giant elephant bird egg

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The game of chess, having its origins in the Asian content, has spread far and wide over the years to Europe, Asia, and Americas, has got in an increasing base of players addicted to this mentally stimulating game from around the globe. Hence, it was only a matter of time that some designer took notice of the chess sets, and gave it their alteration like Geoffrey Parker’s chess sets, Barbara Kruger’s chess set, and the scented chess set which appeared at a Bonham’s auction a couple of years back. Now, a series of the finest chess sets are set to go under the hammer at the Style & Spirit Auction by Christie’s in London, including a set by Man Ray. The event will be held on the 26th March this year, when the World Chess Candidates Tournament takes place in London.

Man Ray chess set

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The noted author in Latin, belonging to the 16th century, Juan Latino was found as a slave boy near the coast of Guinea gained much notary during his lifetime for his grasp on the ancient language. Originally named Juan de Sessa, the author went from strength to strength during his career as an author, and even was offered the chair at the University of Grenada at the later part of his career. One of his rare manuscripts, titled ‘Ad Catolicum’ (as its very long Latin title begins,) is stated to go on sale at event by Swann Galleries’ event, which will have other noted rare works go under the hammer. The estimated price for this rare manuscript is stated to be in the region of $40,000-60,000.

The Juan Latino Manuscript

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The rick folks and their car crashes: what tragedy but what luck. When you have the deep pocket and can afford a lifestyle including the expensive 4-wheelers, you perhaps have a stronger right to even crash it! Well, the celebs seem to be going by that rule, as we saw for Lindsay Lohan, who crashed Porsche 911, a while back. And if your luck favors you with enough fame and fan following like Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo, there could be a whole lot of wealthy fans queuing up to buy the scrapped version of your luxury car. Back in 2009, the star footballer managed to damage his Ferrari 599 GTB for good, and it had indeed created a buzz online when it appeared on eBay. The scrapped version had gone on sale, where bids went up rather quickly, but had to be pulled down a short while later owing to authenticity concerns and security. But now, it is back up yet again for being sold via eBay. To a lot of people, it might well have fitted in comparison to the most expensive crashes of 2012.

Ronaldo’s crashed Ferrari at the site

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Andy Warhol’s relationship with the abstract and colorful is indeed well documented in history. The pop artist is known for works such as the Edvard Munch screen prints, Queen Elizabeth II portrait, Bettle Lemon, and the Dom Perignon tribute, which have received much fanfare among the artistic elite. Now at a recent auction by Christie’s, the pop artist’s 1964 lithograph titled “Marilyn Monroe I love Your Kiss Forever Forever”, topped the charts by fetching as much as $90,000 via as many as 50 bids via online forum. The pre-auction estimate stood at $5,000, which is 16 times lower than the final winning price.

Andy Warhol’s 1964 lithograph “Marilyn Monroe I Love Your Kiss Forever Forever,” tops at Christie’s Auction

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We have earlier told you about the most happening auctions that kick started the year 2013, including the high end collectible cars, classic cars at RM Auctions Arizona 2013 and the expensive art sales that set the high-end art market abuzz in 2013. Now, take a look at some of the other upcoming auctions featuring antique documents, personal letters and sports memorabilia that is expected to woo the collectors.

Francis Crick’s letter to son about DNA

Expected Price: $2 million

An English molecular biologist, biophysicist, and neuroscientist, and most noted for being a co-discoverer of the structure of the DNA molecule in 1953 together with James D. Watson, the then 33-year old Francis Harry Compton Crick wrote a letter to his 12-year old son, describing his discovery of DNA with James Watson. Now the Noble Prize winner’s letter will show up at Christie’s auction block, where it’s expected to fetch as much as $2 million.

Francis Crick’s letter to son about DNA

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