Princess Diana's 1979 Rolls-Royce

Princess Diana's Armored 1979 Rolls Royce Shadow is up for auction. This car carried Princess Diana and Prince Charles to the White House to meet the US President Ronald Reagan back in November of 1985.

This is a truly historic car, documented in American and British history as the Britain's official embassy car. The car is estimated to be worth $2 million and will be on auction with the Volo Auto Museum on November 9th.

RM Auctions Annual Sale generated £14,266,030

Continuing a six-year track record of achieving fantastic results, RM Auctions’ annual Battersea sale generated an incredible ￡14,266,030 in sales with an impressive 84 percent of total lots sold before a packed house in central London this week (31 October). The top performer of the evening sale was the simply beautiful and extraordinarily rare 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta ‘Tour de France’, which attracted spirited bidding from eager collectors, selling for a strong ￡1,960,000.

Proving that Italian exotics still reign supreme in the desirability stakes, the gorgeous 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Testa Fissa, driven to Tourist Trophy glory by the great Tazio Nuvolari, sold for ￡784,000 to secure the position as the night’s second biggest seller. The British cars stole their share of the limelight too, with Aston Martins continuing to shine in the market. Headlining the group of 11 Astons on offer was an elegant 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible, which achieved a highly impressive ￡632,800 to round out the night’s top three sales.

1964 Aston Martin DB5 (copyright: Tim Scott Fluid Images)

One lot attracting significant pre-sale interest was the wonderful and historically significant 1964 Aston Martin DB5, delivered new to Beatles member Sir Paul McCartney and owned by him for some six years. Presented in fabulous, restored condition, the car achieved ￡344,400, reinforcing its significance to collectors and the enduring appeal of Beatles-related provenance.

24 kt Gold Bath

The Devon&Devon Mida tub is a masterpiece of harmonious, handcrafted elegance that revives the ancient Florentine tradition of gold leaf application. The extraordinarily brilliant gilding of the external surface is the result of long and patient manual application of 24 carat gold leaf. Long service life and trouble-free maintenance are guaranteed by a specific semi-lucid transparent protection. Mida comes with light gold Coventry model taps and brushed gold Flora feet.

Godiva's Christmas

Godiva Chocolatier, the world leader in premium Belgian chocolates, presents its new range of products created especially for the Christmas season. Godiva offers the chocolate lover a variety of elegant snow-inspired gifts for any holiday wish list.

Godiva chocolatiers present a collection of gifts ideal for any individual over the festive season. From mouthful sized chocolates encased in an elegant beaded ornament to detailed character figurines in white, milk and dark chocolate, a playful advent calendar guaranteed to excite the child in all of us, or a luxurious Royal Swarovski Box. 

The latter is a premium gift box containing sixty-one pieces of Godiva's signature assortment. The chocolates are stored in a beautiful suede case covered in Swarovski crystals forming the Godiva emblem. This sparkling choice is ideal to give to those with a taste for luxurious gifts at Christmas. 

The new scrumptious treats from Godiva are available from 8th November to 31st December.

A Marble Cellphone

As diamond studded and gold-plated cell phones are very popular at the moment, having something unique and different is definitely sought after. Mobiado, a Canadian luxury mobile company, has announced the perfect new chic mobile device, made from a stone hybrid material and sapphire crystals. 

The Touch Executive was released this week, with CNC machined stone hybrid composite body, inset sapphire crystal plate with camera, sapphire crystal buttons, stainless steel screws and 50 Carats of sapphire crystal. It is available in 5 different editions: Burl, Cocobolo, Ebony, Granite and our favourite - Marble. To see full specifications, visit their website.

Cocobolo

Ebony

Diamonds and Flames by Mark Humphrey

Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living unveiled the installation of the Diamonds and Flames collection by leading artist designer Mark Humphrey at its luxury accommodation on Park Lane in London.

Hailed as one of the most accomplished artist/designers of his generation, Mark Humphrey’s work embraces the full artistic spectrum from fashion to sculpture and architecture, using only the highest quality materials and cutting-edge manufacturing technology to create statement pieces and heirlooms for future generations: ‘modern antiquities’ and timeless spaces.

From spectacular statement pieces such as the Diamond Seat, a rock crystal and Belgian black marble glowing bench, to the towering amber onyx and Belgian black marble Cone of Flames and Quilted lamps to the stately Inter-locking and Diamonds for her Cocktail illuminated side tables, each of the carefully chosen pieces will enhance and complement the striking and stylish design of Grosvenor House Apartments.

Entitled Art in Life, the collection blurs the boundaries between art, sculpture and design, reflecting a wider paradigm shift within the contemporary art market whereby art is applied more purposefully to function within our day-to-day lives.

Return of the Soda Syphon

Munich based Siphon Manufaktur restore original Sparklets Soda Siphons by hand. These sleek and elegant seltzer bottles were hand-manufactured during the 1930s - from glass mouth-blown in former Czechoslovakia and assembled in Manhattan and London. 

The dedication to quality and longevity applied in the production process far exceeds that of any similar product available today. Siphon Manufaktur provides their customers with the most exclusive experience of creating and enjoying Soda-Water, which is particularly fine and smooth. This is why it is still many professional barkeepers' first choice when it comes to preparing exquisite soda-based cocktails and drinks. The Sparklets Soda Siphons are currently most popular among exclusive bars in Munich & Berlin, but are entering the UK  and US markets as well.

Every Soda Siphon comes with its own sealed wooden box, a certificate and a 5 year warranty. The small atelier-style firm distributes their one of a kind, hand restored Soda Siphons in limited numbers through their website. Each sample is featured with a high-res photo for customers to choose from. Truly an amazing addition to your home bar or a great accessory for every mixologist.