World Records in Blue Springs, Missouri, United States

Largest abandoned property auction

The largest abandoned property auction sold 1,457 lots and was achieved by Brigitte Kruse (USA) in Beverly Hills, California, USA, 9 January 2016. The lots sold for a total of $373,348.41.

Most expensive cello sold at auction

The highest ever auction price for a violon cello is £;682,000 ($ 1,217,711) paid at Sothebys, London, UK on 22 June 1988 for a Stradivarius known as The Cholmondeley, which was made in Cremona, Italy c. 1698.

Most expensive motorcycle sold at auction

The most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction is the “Captain America” Harley-Davidson Panhead, ridden by Peter Fonda’s character Wyatt in Easy Rider (USA, 1969). It was sold as part of an auction of Hollywood entertainment memorabilia in Los Angeles, California, USA, on 18 October 2014, for US$1.35 million (approximately £836,000 at the time). Although one of several made for filming, the bike sold at auction is believed to be the only one surviving today. According to the auction catalogue text, the bike was restored by actor Dan Haggerty before selling to collector Michael Eisenberg, who in turn sold it at the 2014 Los Angeles auction.

Most expensive seal sold at auction

The most expensive seal sold at auction was sold for $22,000,000 (£17,595,777) and was bought by an anonymous buyer (China) in Paris, France, on 14 December 2016. The seal had once belonged to one of China’s longest serving emperors, Qianlong (1735-1796) of the Qing dynasty, who owned 1,800 of them. According to the auction house, the seal was acquired by a French naval doctor during a trip to China in the 19th century, after which it remained in his family.

Most expensive glove sold at auction

The most expensive glove sold at auction was sold for $420,000 (£267,879) and was bought by Ponte 16 Resort (China) in New York, New York, USA, on 21 November 2009. The glove belonged to Michael Jackson and is now on display at the MJ Gallery at Ponte 16 in Macau, China. The auction was conducted by Julien’s Auctions (USA) at the Hard Rock Cafe at Times Square in Manhattan.

Most expensive brioche sold at auction

A brioche was sold at auction at the Reve d’un Soir event in aid of Kids, London, UK for £4000 ($7,838) to Lady Aliai Forte (UK) on 1 February 2007.

Most expensive watermelon sold at auction

The most expensive watermelon sold at auction is CNY 51,000 ($7,489; £5,827; €6,442) and was achieved by Inner Mongolia Green State Fertilizer Co., Ltd. (China) in Kerchin, Inner Mongolia, China, on 26 August 2018. The watermelon weighed 81.75 kg (180.22 lb).

Most expensive car sold at auction

The most expensive car sold at auction is a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which sold for $142,769,250 (£115.1 million; €135.1 million) including premium and was auctioned by Sotheby’s in Stuttgart, Germany, on 5 May 2022. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, of which, only 2 models have been created by the German manufacturer, was sold at a ‘secret auction’ at the manufacturer’s brand museum in Suttgart. The auction was brokered by Sotheby’s and the winning bidder chose to stay anonymous.

Youngest auctioneer (male)

Darron Blankenship (USA, b.9 April 1970) became certified as an auctioneer on 17 August 1984, aged 14 years 99 days. Darron Blankenship is the first person to hold this record title.

Most expensive cow sold at auction

On 22 November 2024, a cow named Carina (FIV do Kado) sold for R$24.06 million ($4.1 million; £3.2 million) at the Cataratas Collection Auction in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil. By the time of the auction, the three-year-old Nelore cow had won three livestock titles, in 2023 and 2024. The purchase price takes into account Carina’s ability to generate descendants of a high genetic standard. She was raised by José Ricardo Benato on the Pé da Serra Farm in Piracicaba and was purchased by a conglomerate of four cattle breeders.

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