Philosophy
Samson, as the giant fossil is affectionately known, failed to fetch enough at the live auction to satisfy the owner. In October, Tom Lindgren, who curated the natural history auction for Bonhams & Butterfields, estimated the skeleton was worth between $2 million and $8 million and could go for more than $10 million.
Now the auction house says it has a new owner, but won’t reveal who that is just yet.
“Bonhams & Butterfields was very pleased by the post-auction interest and ultimate sale price, and we expect ‘Samson’ to be displayed publicly in the future,” Lindgren said in a press release.
We hope he’s right. Of the 46 T. rex skeletons unearthed to date, Samson is the third most complete and has what may be the finest skull. It would be disappointing if such a beautiful, rare fossil wasn’t kept in a public setting where it can be properly admired.
Samson...not sold
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Philosophy
Samson has a buyer...but who?
"Rex Finally Has a Buyer, We Just Don’t Know Who"
by
Betsy Mason
November 12th, 2009
Wired
by
Betsy Mason
November 12th, 2009
Wired
Samson, as the giant fossil is affectionately known, failed to fetch enough at the live auction to satisfy the owner. In October, Tom Lindgren, who curated the natural history auction for Bonhams & Butterfields, estimated the skeleton was worth between $2 million and $8 million and could go for more than $10 million.
Now the auction house says it has a new owner, but won’t reveal who that is just yet.
“Bonhams & Butterfields was very pleased by the post-auction interest and ultimate sale price, and we expect ‘Samson’ to be displayed publicly in the future,” Lindgren said in a press release.
We hope he’s right. Of the 46 T. rex skeletons unearthed to date, Samson is the third most complete and has what may be the finest skull. It would be disappointing if such a beautiful, rare fossil wasn’t kept in a public setting where it can be properly admired.
Samson...not sold
- Batman Is Now Leading
A Superman comic sold for a million bucks and now a Batman comic triumphs. "Comic showing Batman's debut sells for $1m" A comic showing the debut of superhero Batman has been sold for more than $1m (£655,000) at an auction in Dallas. February 26th,...
- Samson Is Up For Auction--3rd Complete T-rex
Sampson, the third most complete T-Rex dinosaur, will be auctioned in October. Who owns this massive skeleton? Was it found on public land and if so doesn't it belong to the public? Tom Lindgren [member of the auction house Bonhams & Butterfields]...
- Apollo 11 Star Chart Sells For $218k
"Apollo 11 chart fetches astronomical price" Star navigation aid for lunar surface sold at auction for $218,000 July 16th, 2009 The Associated Press NEW YORK - A navigational chart used by Apollo 11 astronauts has become the unexpected star of an auction...
- Invest In The Old...fossil, That Is
One of the two ammonite fossils being sold at the Natural History sale in Paris on April 7, 2009 What is the fascination for very old things to purchase and own? Is it a true interest in the science of the artifact? Is it for aesthetic reasons? Is it...
- Meteorites--losing Their Value?
The upper air burst into life! And a hundred fire-flags sheen, To and fro they were hurried about! And to and fro, and in and out, The wan stars danced between And the coming wind did roar more loud, And the sails did sigh like sedge; And the rain poured...