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Natural Wonders on the Auction Block in Las Vegas -
Rare Tyrannosaurus rex Skeleton to Highlight Bonhams & Butterfields Fall Sale on October 3
http://www.bonhams.com/natural
International auctioneers, Bonhams & Butterfields are pleased to announce the company's first Natural History auction to be held at The Venetian® in Las Vegas on October 3, 2009. The sale will contain approximately 50 lots of fossils and dinosauria and will focus on one of the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex specimens ever discovered – a rare 66-million year old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton – dubbed "Samson."
One of the three most complete examples ever to have been discovered, the animal's skull, in particular, is one of the most intact Tyrannosaurus rex skull in existence. The entire specimen contains approximately 170 bones, more than 55% of the total bone count of an entire skeleton.
This animal was most likely a very skilled hunter with binocular color vision and an extremely sensitive sense of smell. In life, "Samson" measured approx 40-feet in length and could have looked into a second story window. Its massive skull and powerful serrated teeth could have bitten through the leg bone of any contemporary dinosaur.
Of further interest are pathologies (evidence of healed injury or disease) of the skull and portions of the skeleton that open a window into the life of this virtual beast. The skeleton is beautifully prepared and mounted utilizing the most modern methods.
During the Cretaceous Period, Tyrannosaurs occupied a position at the apex of the food chain giving this creature lasting celebrity. This expertly mounted female T. rex was excavated near Buffalo, South Dakota over 15 years ago and is expected to bring millions of dollars.
''Samson' is one of four known T. rex specimens which display characteristics that set it apart from other examples of the species. In the dynamic science of paleontology, variation from one specimen to the next may indicate varying developmental phases, normal variations within a species, or it may represent the discovery of an entirely new species. As it stands, experts identify 'Samson' as Tyrannosaurus rex," said Thomas Lindgren, Co-Director of Natural History at Bonhams & Butterfields.
Accompanying "Samson" in the October sale are approximately 50 exceptional fossils. Particularly notable is one of the world's largest set of shark jaws comprised of approximately 180 fossil teeth from the gargantuan prehistoric species, Carcharocles megalodon, which grew to the size of a school bus (est. $900,000-1,200,000). Diver and fossil shark tooth hunter, the late Vito Bertucci, prepared the item.
Another magnificent offering is a second fully mounted dinosaur, a 28-foot-long Edmontosaurus annectens skeleton. Distinguished in that it is 90% complete, the example is marvelously well preserved, beautifully prepared and mounted (est. $375,000-475,000). Also among the offering is a pair of dinosaurs identified as "Xenia" and "Ben" belonging to the genus, Einiosaurus (est. $500,000-600,000).
Additional highlights will include a fully mounted Woolly Mammoth (est. $150,000-200,000), several highly decorative fossils which are fitted for wall display including a dramatically presented palm frond and several fishes, and a distinguished 25-foot-long shark skeleton from Kansas (est. $350,000-400,000).
The illustrated catalogue will be available online for review at www.bonhams.com/us in the weeks preceding the auction. The specimen will be exhibited and sold in the space formerly occupied by The Guggenheim Hermitage Museum, designed by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas.
Public Preview: September 18-October 3, 2009, The Venetian, Las Vegas
Public Auction: October 3, 2009, The Venetian, Las Vegas
Press Contacts:
Bonhams & Butterfields: Jannelle Grigsby, jannelle.grigsby@bonhams.com,
310.567.7990
The Venetian: Dawn Britt, dawn.britt@venetian.com, 702.414.4334
NOTES FOR EDITORS
About Bonhams
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America and in August 2003, Goodmans, a leading Australian fine art and antiques auctioneer with salerooms in Sydney, joined the Bonhams Group of Companies. Today, Bonhams is one of the largest and fastest growing auction houses in the world. It offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further seven throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Australia, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 50 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com. For other press releases, go to www.bonhams.com/press.
About The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino
The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, the largest property in the country to receive AAA's Five Diamond Award and Mobil Four-Star, is one of the world's most luxurious resort and convention destinations. Re-creating Venice's legendary landmarks, the resort offers unmatched service and quality for leisure and corporate guests. Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The Venetian features The Grand Canal Shoppes, an indoor streetscape complete with gondolas and singing gondoliers, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, world-class gaming, exquisite restaurants, and a wide variety of entertainment such as Phantom-The Las Vegas Spectacular, Blue Man Group, David Spade and Wayne Brady on its premises, as well as extensive convention and corporate services. For additional information, visit www.venetian.com.
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