The Most Expensive Book in the World

The Most Expensive Book in the World

A rare copy of "the most expensive book in the world" Fah Franco-American ornithologist John James Audubon and goes back to the nineteenth century recorded on Tuesday evening in London, a new record price, Which sold more than eight million euros, on the auction house said, "Sotheby's". More images after the break...

The sale of the book "Birds of America" (Birds of America) in exchange for 7.3 million pounds (8,6 million euros), a new world record price for the printed work is sold at auction, it said, "Sotheby's".
The estimated book value of between four and six million pounds.
The new owner is a dealer old books.

And return to the previous record price another version of "Birds of America" were sold in New York in 2000 to meet with seven million euros. There is no longer only about a hundred copies of the book "Birds of America." Large book size (length of 90 cm and of 60 cm) collected fees birds such as flamingos and Swan.

Jean-Jacques Audubon, known by his English John James Audubon, is the world of birds and the world of physics was born in Haiti the year 1785, the French colonial days of French and religion. And then received U.S. citizenship.

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Royale Opera Time - Piece Watch

Beat me with a stick! I just had to plod through Manufacture Royale's nine page long bloody press release - only to have reasserted what they mention in the first few lines; that they are "unashamedly elitist." Wipe my brow and hand me an ol' timey hallucinogenic absinthe, because I need to lay back in a hammock on a steamship and read some Jules Verne to appreciate this steampunk mechanaut. More images after the break...

Oh how right it would be for the good people behind the conception of this watch to redo their text and branding on the watch. It is a cool thing, and the overgrown child in my loves this oddity - but they really need to take it down a few notches. I kid you not, in a nutshell the brand would have you believe that this watch not only sets the bar upon which all future watches must be judged, but also claims that according to the designer this watch release is one step closer to realizing a dream of utopia. Please calmly take an axe to my forehead - for I cannot believe this.

Ok, let's get back to the subject at hand. Manufacture Royale takes inspiration from Voltaire. Yes, that Voltaire - a man that at one point they refer to as the "Super Salesman." They should have just called the watch "Voltaire." That would have been better than making it look like a wrist catapult and for some reason calling it the Opera (well it does have a minute repeater complication).

It also appears that Manufacture Royale (with cheese), has been influenced by the designs of fellow watch brand Louis Moinet. Both seem to be focused on the "age of enlightenment" (and limitless coffers). Another nod to fantasy is the Manufacture Royale logo. Above the "MR" letter is a curved line with the handle of a sword coming out of it. This is the sword in the stone - Excalibur from Arthurian legend. Make of this what you will. I just smile and think of the Disney cartoon. Does Merlin come with the watch? Perhaps a little Archimedes? Owls seem to be really "in" right now.

The Opera Time-Piece (how MR officially calls it) contains a brand new movement that is manually wound, has a tourbillon and a minute repeater. It was designed by the good people at Fabrique du Temps. Built of 319 parts, the movement is quite nice looking. I do enjoy the silicon escapement, and the combo of brass in various tones and finishes. Makes for a very rich look. While nicely conceived, it is not quite as unique as the watch case, but is still quite attractive. Power reserve is said to be in excess of 100 hours. Plus, the minute repeater plays the hours in A, and the minute in C sharp.

Now comes the interesting part. See how the case opens up like the bellows of an accordion? This unique design feature is made to create a resonance cage/chamber to allow for the minute repeater to sound more lively. The unfortunate reality is that the complexity of many minute repeaters is diminished by the tinny sound they make after being cased in a watch. The modern needs of a watch with water resistance (as well as the desire for precious metals that absorb sound) has made it a challenge for watch designers to come up with cases that adequately allow for minute repeater complications to sound decent. For Manufacture Royale had to convince engineers to develop this ultra complex style of articulating case. We can call it the "Beetle shell watch case."

The watch case itself is 50mm wide done in 18k rose and gray gold. It has three sapphire crystals and 60 pieces in its construction. Everything about this watch is crazy. It is weird and wonderful. Ugly and beautiful. A novelty for true collectors, only 12 of these watches will be made - making way for other future Manufacture Royal watches. I really do appreciate the audacity of the men behind this watch and brand. There is a hefty amount of silliness here. They make little attempt to hide the fact that this is one eternally ostentatious toy. The watch comes in a veneered wooden box that is said to be a reproduction of the Bastille Opera House in Paris. In case you didn't detect it yet, the French are behind this timepiece. The price you ask? Well in Manufacture Royale's own words "just like the product - exceptional." And they aren't lying.... $1,200,000. My consumer gland just had an aneurysm.

Case
Case materials and finishing:

• Folding/unfolding case in patented 18 carat gray or rose gold. 3 sapphire crystals.
• Moveable transparent back. Screws and axles in 18 carat gray or rose gold.
• Assembled and polished entirely by hand
• Individually numbered -Case dimensions 50mm in diameter -Number of components 60 -Crown 18 carat rose gold. Polished and diamond encrusted / Manufacture Royale logo hand-polished surface
• Hands Hours and minutes in hand-polished 18 carat rose gold.
• Strap Hand sewn Mississippi alligator skin
• Buckle Hand-polished 18 carat rose and gray gold.

Movement

• Movement dimensions Height: 5.45 mm / Diameter: 32 mm
• Number of components 319
• Number of rubies 29
• Power reserve 108 hours
• Frequency 3Hz, 21,600 vibrations per hour
• Plates Brass with sunray brushing, polished angles
• Bridges Brass with sunray brushing, polished angles
• Entirely hand finished
• Bells/chimes Hours in A / Minutes in C sharp
• Tourbillon Escape wheel and anchors in silicon
• One rotation per minute
• Functions Hours, Minutes. Repeater (triggered by slide)
• Gears Counter gears and sound system NIHS 20-02
• Balance spring Flat
• Balance with screws

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Dubai Gold Souk (25 Photos)

Dubai gold market or bazaar is also called the old gold market in Dubai, one of the oldest markets in Dubai, and probably the oldest gold market in the emirate of Dubai. Located in the heart of Deira. This is one of the best places in the world to buy gold ornaments. In local shops, stores and halls of the windows exposed to a myriad of treasures - the work of local artists and jewelers from other parts of the country.

Thanks to low taxes, the price of gold here almost the most profitable in the world. If you are invited to a gypsy wedding, then here you will surely find a great gift, but a man with good taste will be difficult here.

Top 10 World's Most Expensive Ink Pens in the World

10. CREW 60TH White Gold Tebaldi fountain pens - Price: $43,000

TIBALDI Pens CREW 60TH are a landmark in pen making history with Bentley, the automobile giant creating its own handcrafted pen sets in association with the worlds best Italian luxury designer pen maker, Tebaldi.

These expensive Tebaldi for Bentley pens have a two-tone 18-carat yellow gold nib covered in rhodium and ruthenium. The pens barrel has the fine finish identical to Bentleys dashboard. This finish was first used in Bentleys earliest car with a technique called engine tuning. The pens cap and upper and lower barrel parts are knurled for a good grip while writing for the executive. You can see the level of ink through the transparent window of the Tebaldi for Bentley pens. A handmade tie shaped clip on the pen marks Tebaldis signature.

The Tebaldi for Bentley Crewe 60th white gold fountain pen collection is a limited edition of 40 solid white gold fountain pens

9. Gaia High Luxury Omas Fountain Pens - Price: $43,000
Gaia high Luxury fountain pens and roller ball pens by Omas are a glimpse into the dark and deep recesses of the earth. The impenetrable inner core of the earth has inspired wonder, curiosity and interest in man since creation. A miscellany of precious materials such as the white and yellow 18K gold, the Onyx, the Crystal rock, the hematite and the vegetal resin has been utilized into the making of this mystic model by Omas.

Gaia High Luxury fountain pens and roller ball pens are a presentation in the celebration of Jules Vernes futuristic vision of the world. It also commemorates the one hundredth death anniversary. Depicting geographical wonders of the world, the pen absolutely differs from pens that reflect the classic essence of history. The dark grey colour of the metal that it is made of, symbolizes the trip to the dark interior of the earth. The body of the pen from top to toe features the engraved images of gigantic spiders, carnivorous plants, and water beasts. The blend of fear and wonder in the engraving of these horrors makes this particular model different from a range of pen collections.

8. MARTE Omas Fountain Pen - Price: $43,000
Omas Fountain Pen MARTE is part of the Viaggi dellUomo, Travel of Man, Masterpieces collection of custom design fountain pens, roller ball pens and pen sets. The Marte (Italian for Mars) is actually a map of Mars made from classic rose gold to represent the pink-red hue of the planet. Deserts, mountains and craters all feature on the barrel of this pen and four rubies mark the landing points of the Russian and American probes. The cap is encrusted with 2K of small diamonds reminiscent of the polar ice caps and the clip details astronomer Tycho Brahes Mural Quadrant. Even the rose gold nib is engraved with a representation of the Greek God Mars! There are just 30 of these fountain pens in circulation, so they are perfect for the pen collector to add to his expensive pen collections, or for the executive who enjoys writing with designer pens.

7. Visconti The Forbidden City H.R.H. Fountain Pen - Price: $50,500.00 -

The Visconti brand is known for best quality, style and creativity. This distinguished Visconti pen is the Forbidden City H.R.H. Limited Edition fountain Pen. Made of black resin, 18K gold and diamonds and boasting of Power Filler innovative filling system invented by Visconti, it is sold for $50,500.00.

6. Visconti Alchemy H.R.H. Fountain Pens - Price: $ 57,000

The beautifully handcrafted Alchemy HRH by Visconti is part of the HRH collection of handmade fountain pens and roller ball pens from this fine pen maker. This luxury pen, unlike other fountain pens, has two nibs, two ink reservoirs and is trimmed with two different metals exquisite gold and silver vermeil. Both nibs are of the best 18K gold and come in different sizes to suit every writing style. Even those used to writing with roller ball pens will love using the Alchemy.

The body is made from a classic, rich, red resin and the gold and silver trim is decorated with expensive 4K diamonds and rubies. One cap has gold trim, the other silver, and these trims interlace to create a cosmic map with alchemic symbols stunning!

5. Visconti Ripple H.R.H. Fountain Pen - Price: $ 57,000

One of the most remarkable Visconti pens is Ripple H.R.H. Limited Edition fountain pen. Made of 18K white gold and diamonds and with two-tone 18K gold nib, it costs $57,000.00. It has double reservoir filling system and is sold in two variations white gold and black.

4. Omas Phoenix Platinum Fountain Pen Luxury Limited Edition with Diamonds _ Price: $60,000
With overwhelming price tag of $60,000, this truncated cone shaped pen is a true embodiment of fact and fancy. Made with 950 platinum and yellow Enamel, with considerable length and diameter, 18K gold rhodiated engraving nib.

3. La Modernista Diamonds Caran dAche - Price: $265,000

La Modernista Diamonds was made by the Swiss company Caran dAche in 1999 in homage to Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926), the most famous of Modernist architects. This amazing fountain pen was sold in Harrods, London, for $265,000, becoming the most expensive pen in GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS in 2001. La Modernista Diamonds is made of rhodium-coated solid silver components. It boasts of an 18-carat rhodium-coated gold nib and is set with a total of 5,072 Wessel ton diamonds weighing in at 20-carats, as well as and 96 rubies totalling 32-carats. The pen was hand-made by master jeweler Robert Perron and it took him six months to complete this true masterpiece of writing instruments.

2. Mystery Masterpiece Mont Blanc and Van Cleef & Arpels Limited Edition - Price: $730,000

To commemorate the centenary of these two renowned brands, Montblanc and Van Cleef & Arpels have collaborated on this fine, limited editions Mystery Masterpiece. Three individual editions, each set with either rubies, sapphires, or emeralds, will be crafted. Using the Mystery Setting technique for the gemstones, these intricate writing instruments are set to stun with their extravagant design, and equally-extravagant price: at US$730,000 each, they are truly a fitting homage to a century of each brands respective history.

1. Aurora Diamante fountain pen - Price: $1,470,600 (World Most Expensive Pen)





The Aurora Diamante is the most expensive writing instrument till date. Only one is for sale per year. The Aurora Diamante contains over 30 carats of De Beerss diamonds on a solid platinum barrel. It has a two-tone, rhodium-treated, 18KT solid gold nib and is personalized with a coat of arms, signature or portrait. Aurora Pens says it is the only over 30 carat pen in the world.

Troy Polamalu Hair Insured For $1 Million set Guinness Record

Troy Polamalu is not only an outstanding player -- he also possesses outstanding hair, at least in the opinion of Head and Shoulders, which has previously run advertisements with the Steelers safety.

According to a press release, the shampoo company took out a $1 million insurance policy with the massive British reinsurer Lloyd's of London. The haircare brand boasts that Polamalu's legendary locks are "so ridiculously full and thick that end to end [his hair] spans 100 football fields."

Scroll down to see the full press release, as well as videos of two ads featuring Polamalu's hair.


August 30, 2010 - head & shoulders® announced today that they are taking out a $1 million dollar insurance policy on Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu's trademark hair. The head & shoulders spokesperson's iconic mane will be protected throughout the NFL season by the world's leading insurance agency, Lloyd's of London.

No other NFL player's hair has been so recognizable to warrant this first ever type of insurance policy. In fact, Troy's hair is so ridiculously full and thick that end to end it spans 100 football fields.

"head & shoulders has gone above and beyond by insuring my Samoan locks for a cool $1 million dollars. This reinforces that my full and thick hair is unstoppable," says Troy Polamalu.

Fans can log on to Troyshair.com to learn more about Troy's secret weapon, head & shoulders' Hair Endurance for Men. The website also hosts more information on the insurance policy, a fun interactive experience, and opportunities to win outrageously cool NFL prizes including a Super Bowl XLV VIP package.

Pure Gold Bathroom Most Expensive Toilets

Pure Gold Bathroom Most Expensive Toilets - This bathroom was also known as the most luxurious bathroom ever. Hong Kong is home to the world’s most expensive gold toilet, it has been reported. During the Expo Global Tourist Exhibition Hall in Hong Kong plays host to the world’s most expensive gold and jewelry sparkling environmentally friendly washroom(world’s most expensive gold toilet). Hmm if i were him I'd rather build a golden car than this golden toilets. I'm not going to pee in this Golden toilets.. Just think of we build a luxurious bathroom and toilets just for peeing or defecate??



This Pure Gold Bathroom was Arranged by Lam Sai-Wing, Hong Kong-listed Hang Fung Gold Technology, the washroom features a solid gold toilet, gold toilet paper dispenser, gold basin, gold waste bin and air-conditioning cabinet.

“The entire washroom required 380 kg of pure gold and 6,200 gemstones. In 2001, it cost HK $38 million and is now worth HK $80 million. This is truly one of the wonders of the modern world,” Stella Lai, Global Expo’s spokeswoman told the newspaper.

The bathroom’s designer Lam Sai-Wing was inspired by a quotation from Lenin who dreamed of celebrating the communist revolution by building toilets of gold.