RM’s Milhous sale sees strong results
RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, sold the renowned and eclectic collection of Bob and Paul Milhous in Boca Raton on February 24-25, 2012. The collection was a mind-boggling array that mainly consisted of self-playing musical machines and cars, the bulk of the latter being Brass Era and prewar classics. The cars had a predilection towards racing units, but also included numerous production stars of the 1930s and 1940s.
Results were very strong, with $16.5m from the sale of all 32 automotive lots contributing to the sale’s $38.3m overall total. The sum total was courtesy of both the incredible rarity of the instruments on offer and the quality of the cars being sold. In general, the automotive restorations were world-class caliber, and the large crowd responded enthusiastically.
The top sale of the two-day event was the last known surviving 1912 Oldsmobile Limited, which garnered an incredible $3.3m, including buyer’s premium. The second spot went to a truly massive and ornate 1904 organ at $1.265m, and third highest sale was a 1933 Chrysler Custom Imperial five-passenger Phaeton that sold for $1.21m. The top five automotive lots were:
- 1912 Oldsmobile Limited five-passenger Touring sold for $3.3m
- 1933 Chrysler Custom Imperial five-passenger Phaeton sold for $1.21m
- 1934 Cadillac Sixteen custom roadster sold for $1.001m
- 1939 Lagonda Rapide V12 Sports Roadster sold for $990,000
- 1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan sold for $990,000
Next on the docket for RM Auctions is its annual sale at Amelia Island, held March 10, 2012, at the Ritz-Carlton.
Brian Rabold is the editor of Hagerty Price Guide.
