Torontoist » auctions

Scene: Princess Diana’s Dress Auction

WHAT: Fourteen of Princess Diana's designer evening gowns went up for auction yesterday, attracting some big bids. In 1997, American Maureen Rorech Dunkel purchased the collection anonymously at Christie's in New York for approximately $870,000. Last night, one dress alone—the dark blue gown she wore while dancing with John Travolta—sold for nearly that amount. A portion of proceeds from last night's sale will be donated to the National Ballet School.

Finding the One Whodunit at OCADU

Priceless postcards in the Whodunit? preview gallery. “Can I get eight hundred, eight hundred. Nine hundred. One thousand, thank you.” At an auction, it takes seconds for a painting to go from one artist’s personal vision to a collector’s item. “Eight hundred… Eight hundred… It feels great to bid sir, it feels great to bid. [...]

Splatter Feature

It was haggled down to $5 at a San Bernardino garage sale, and now it’s sitting in a Toronto gallery with a $50 million price tag. The reason? It’s probably an authentic Jackson Pollock. When retired truck driver Teri Horton found the painting fifteen years ago, it was listed at $8—a price slightly too high [...]

Urban Planner: August 1, 2008

WORDS: Breaking Dawn, the final installment of author Stephenie Meyer’s vampire/romance book series Twilight, is being released at midnight. A masquerade-themed party at Indigo this evening celebrates the book launch, with Breaking Dawn-inspired activities, music, and prizes for the best costume. Plus, you get to buy the book—which will certainly suck—as soon as it goes [...]

Psst! Wanna Buy a Toilet Seat?

If you’re in the market for an inexpensive plastic Olsonite toilet seat in “Willow Mist,” look no further than the Toronto Police Service. Every day, the Toronto Police seize stolen property or get random items turned-in by the public, all of which used to be sold-off at an annual auction. The TTC also sold-off unclaimed [...]

Public Auction Sale: Get Yourself That Zamboni You’ve Always Wanted

The City of Toronto will be holding a Public Auction sale tomorrow at Queen Elizabeth Exhibit Hall, Exhibition Place, with the preview beginning at 7am. There are 3 auction rings and the auctions begin at 9:30am (“SHARP!!” cries the website), with “Police Cars, Trucks & Trailers, Office Furniture & Bicycles, Lawn, Construction & Garage Equipment [...]

Ten Bucks on the Lawn Equipment! Sold!

After meeting up with Ukrainian president Vik Yushchenko, Mayor David Miller might be seen downtown tomorrow scoping out various items for sale at the 2005 Spring Public Auction. (Word out of city hall is that Dave is in the market for a used EMS crime fighting vehicle.) At the auction – obviously the best sale [...]

Bidding for bachelors

For $30 a ticket and a wad of extra cash to spend on the “desirable” bachelor of your choice, you too can be a philanthropist! Big night tonight at Indian Motorcycle Cafe & Lounge, the “Won’t you bid, my Valentine?” Finest Bachelor Auction happens tonight, and it’s all in the name of charity…of course. The [...]