All ended up well at the Crillon auction but the first two days were a bit discouraging. The first day was confusing as they kept showing photos of the same items many times and I thought I had gotten a steal when I bid 200 euros for an array of silver table accessories. It turns out I bid 200 euros for a set of 12 butter knives. Luckily it wasn’t 100,000 euros and it wasn’t one corkscrew as I mentioned before.
Licking my wounds from my blunder the day before but having a little more knowledge on how things work, I went back to the auction on the second day and asked specific questions about certain items I was going to bid on, so I would avoid any more costly mistakes. I was again discouraged, as the cocktail shaker my client wanted soared to 5 times the price he was willing to pay. Prices got out of control that day especially with the sale of the Cesar bar, which sold for 311,000 euros, and brought gasps and applause after.
I also learned that two items my client wanted were taken off sale. I left disappointed and empty handed that day plus I felt a little guilty as my client lives in California and was getting up at 5:30AM in hopes of me scoring some great deals for him.
Day three was my last chance. The most important items my client wanted were being offered that day and he upped the price he would bid for them because of the high prices the day before. The auction started at 2:30PM but his items came up at about 4:30. The suspense was building for both of us and I texted my client a few minutes before. My heart started pounding when the bidding started but it went so much better than I expected: I got both items for about a quarter of what he was prepared to pay. He was ecstatic and even forgave my butter knife blunder.
The auction took place in the sumptuous dining room of the hotel and the tone of the room was subdued. The elegant looking auctioneer was the spitting image of Bill Clinton, right down to his devilish smile.
As I was leaving the Crillon, I took one last look at the majestic grand dame, thanked her profusely for letting me walk away with a happy memento for my client and then bid adieu. It’s definitely the end of an era.
Below are some photos I took during the preview days when items from the auction were on display for the general public to view.
Here is link for catalogue http://www.artcurial.com/en/asp/searchresults.asp?pg=1&ps=18&st=D&sale_no=2375+++
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
New Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
Thank you for sharing the auction. Made me wish I could have purchased part of the grande dame
Posted by: laurie | April 23, 2013 at 05:18 PM
What an adventure! Great to have the photos, too
Posted by: joan | April 23, 2013 at 05:19 PM
Thank you for writing about the Crillon, it really makes your newsletter unique and heads above anything else out there. I am sadden by the story, however. I've seen how the new owners come in and update these marvelous hotels, stripping them of all character and making them look like any other hotel in the world. I hope I'm wrong on this.
Posted by: karen | April 23, 2013 at 05:20 PM
Bravo to you Richard for being willing to enter the fray.
Posted by: mary | April 23, 2013 at 05:21 PM
Interesting , and such lovely pics
Posted by: ginny | April 23, 2013 at 05:23 PM
Ah, Richard, these photos are fantastic. I LOVED this blog. I'm such a sentimentalist and hate to see this "grand dame" disappear.
Posted by: Linda | April 23, 2013 at 05:24 PM
Enjoyed your stories here! Well written. Great photos, too.
Posted by: jim | April 23, 2013 at 07:18 PM
I loved seeing your pictures and reading about the adventure! I simply can't imagine what the Crillion will look like after all the renovations. She was a grande dame---it was always my dream to spend a few nights there, but it was never in my budget.
Posted by: Cheryl | April 24, 2013 at 01:36 AM