New York: A wonderful painting by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and her Cartier watch, an iconic timepiece, are all set to be auctioned in New York. Christie’s Watches announced “The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Cartier Tank” as a sale highlight of its upcoming June 21 Rare Watches and American Icons New York sale. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was the wife of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and First Lady of the United States from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Originally given to Jacqueline by her brother-in-law Prince Stanislaw “Stas” Radziwill in 1963, she wore the Cartier Tank for decades and can be seen on her wrist in many iconic photos. The watch is estimated between $60,000 – $120,000. The watch features the engraving: “Stas to Jackie 23 Feb. 63 2:05 am to 9:35 pm.” The times refer to the start and stop times of the famous 50-Mile Hike in Palm Beach in 1963. The 50-mile hike became a short-lived fad in early 1963 after President Kennedy publicly asked the American people to accept the mentally and physically grueling challenge of walking this long distance. His inner circle of family and friends were some of the first to attempt the hike including his friends Stas Radziwill and Chuck Spalding, featured in the painting. In the June 21 NY auction, the watch will also be accompanied by an original painting that Jacqueline made in 1963 as a gift for Stas Radziwill celebrating the hike with the dedication. “The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Cartier Tank is a watch full of emotion, love and history. Together with Jackie’s painting, these two objects capture the spirit of another era, a time where friendship and the “can-do” optimism of the generation seemed to make anything possible. In this spirit, the consignor has offered to donate a portion of the proceeds to the National Endowment for the Arts. Christie’s Watches proudly offers this truly iconic timepiece and painting on June 21 in our New York Rockefeller Center Saleroom,” John Reardon, International Head of Christie’s Watches informed IANS in a statement. This watch and the accompanying painting, previously unknown to the public, are two of the most important historic artifacts to surface in recent years from the golden era of the Kennedy Presidency. (IANS)
Harry Potter prequel stolen in burglary
London: A Harry Potter prequel handwritten on a postcard by author J.K. Rowling has been stolen in a burglary in Birmingham, England, the media reported on Friday. The manuscript was penned on both sides of an A5 card for a charity auction nine years ago and sold for 25,000 pounds ($32,130), the BBC reported. The untitled 800-word work was taken from Howard Road, Kings Heath. Reportedly set three years before Harry Potter’s birth, it features the schoolboy wizard’s father James Potter, and godfather Sirius Black, when they were teenagers. They are confronted by two “muggle” policemen after a high-speed motorbike chase but manage to escape on broomsticks. The manuscript was stolen during a break-in between April 13 and 24, West Midlands Police said. The force is issuing a plea for information almost one month on, in the hope “the appeal goes far and wide among Harry Potter fans throughout the world”., reports the BBC. “The only people who will buy this unique piece are true Harry Potter fans,” investigating officer PC Paul Jauncey said. “We are appealing to anyone who sees, or is offered this item for sale, to contact police.” The prequel was among several works donated by authors to an auction held in 2008 to raise funds for English PEN, which promotes understanding through literature, and Dyslexia Action. (IANS)
Marvel Comics villain redirects to Trump’s official webpage
Washington: A webpage on a fictional Marvel Comics terrorist group now redirects to President Donald Trump’s official page on the White House website, the media reported. The development was first noticed on Thursday when users who typed “hail-hydra.com” into their web browsers were redirected to Trump’s page, The Hill magazine reported. The redirect appears to have been set up in the middle of April, with the last update to the site showing as April 16. However, it was unclear who set up the redirect. Hydra is a recurring antagonist in Marvel Comics storylines and their offshoot media properties, reports The Hill magazine. The fictional extremist organisation has repeatedly clashed with the Avengers superhero team in mediums including comics and movies. The 2014 film “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” featured members of the group proclaiming their allegiance with the phrase “Hail Hydra”. The redirect appears to have been set up in the middle of April, with the last update to the site showing as April 16. (IANS)