Milestone year for major auction house
Film robot rewrites record books Three focus areas to celebrate its anniversary
ROBBY the Robot, the life-size robot from the 1956 classic science fiction movie Forbidden Planet, sold at Bonhams New York for a world record price of nearly $5.4 million in the “TCM Presents... Out of This World!” auction of classic movie memorabilia in November.
The saleroom at Bonhams Madison Avenue was packed, but bidding activity was all telephonic. A four-way battle ensued, with the bids at one point leaping from $3.6m to $4m, before Robby and his Jeep finally sold for $5.375m.
This means Robby has knocked the previous world record-holding prop – Bogart’s Maltese Falcon – off its perch. In 2013, Bonhams sold the Maltese Falcon statuette for $4m.
Robby the Robot has now also blown away the price for the white dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in The Seven-year Itch, which made $4.6m in 2011, and the original 1966 Batmobile, sold for $4.6m in 2013.
Robby’s previous owner, filmmaker and collector William Malone, said: “I’m astounded by the result, but also sad to part with him. However, it’s time Robby finds a place where he can be displayed, and with someone who can look after him.” – Auctions Writer AUCOR, a successful and experienced auction house, has identified three key focus areas as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
The company intends to:
Take auctions to smaller communities.
Improve its already high standard of service.
Attract more South Africans to auctioneering.
Company director Jacques van der Linde says Aucor intends to concentrate on job creation across the country. “We are investigating opening new branches in smaller areas in which job creation – and even ownership – for the local community would be enormous economic factors. We want to bring auction sites closer to people in smaller communities and will announce the launch of the first of these next month.”
Aucor spokesman Fanie Bielderman says people are at the heart of the company’s business strategy. “In conjunction with the South African Institute of Auctioneers, we train people from all walks of life to provide successful careers in auctioneering.”
The company employs 150 staff at its five permanent auction sites in Kwazulu-natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Free State. It also has operations in Namibia, Lesotho and Botswana. Aucor sells vehicles, trucks, mining and construction, warehouse and loose assets and property, and holds online auctions.
A second focus area will be to strengthen the company’s standard of service. MARCH 25 2018
“We are totally owned by historically disadvantaged South Africans and conduct good, clean, sustainable business. But we intend to look at areas where we can improve further,” says Van der Linde.
On drawing more people to auctions, Van der Linde says: “We aim to implement forward-thinking technology that will provide buyers and sellers with a user-friendly unmatched, seamless auction experience.”