Christie’s sale takes place this week on November 15 in aid of the Air France Foundation to support children’s causes. Bonhams are holding their sale a fortnight later on December 1. It will take place at the Olympia Exhibition centre and proceeds will be donated by British Airways to various charitable causes including Get Kids Going.
Christie’s Paris sale offers over 200 lots and falls into three sections:
technical elements made for the Air France Concorde; commemorative pieces and a series of exclusive photographic prints.
Bonhams’ sale, which runs to over 120 lots, again comprises a selection of spare decommissioned parts and onboard equipment, for the British Airways Concorde aircraft, and prospective purchasers have a wide choice of souvenirs depending on the size of their pocket (and their available display space). These include the Concorde Radone (the section mounted at the front of the famous hinged nosecone which housed the aircraft’s radar scanner and instruments to measure static and pressure) estimated at £25,000-35,000; a pair of Concorde dark blue leather passenger seats estimated at £600-1000 pictured here, or a Wedgwood Atlas Ashtray
estimated at a more modest £75-100.
You could also raise a glass to the era of supersonic flight charged with a choice from a mixed cased of wines served on board. The case which includes 1988 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne and 1994 Chateau Pape Clement, Pessac-Léognan, is estimated at £120-180.
Christie's and Bonhams hold Concorde souvenir auctions
Just as Concorde was an Anglo-French initiative, so the entente cordiale continues with its dismantling. Two auctioneers on either side of the Channel: Christie’s in Paris and Bonhams in London, are holding Concorde souvenir auctions devoted to technical elements and mementoes from the iconic aircraft. In both cases the sales will benefit the respective airlines’ chosen charities.
