Jane Austen’s Ring Destroys Original Auction Estimate
Recently, we reported about a ring once owned by legendary author Jane Austen being auctioned off. Well, the auction’s over and the auctioners (Sotheby’s) can only be pleased with the results.
The ring was estimated to go at £30,000 , which is no chump change. On July 10th, the ring was sold for a most impressive $243,920 (£152,450) – just over five times its estimate. The winning bidder, who was a private collector wishing to remain anonymous, made his bid over the phone.
Dr. Gabriel Heaton of Sotheby’s commented on the sale, “Jane Austen‘s simple and modest ring is a wonderfully intimate and evocative possession. The price achieved today and the huge level of interest it has generated, is a remarkable testament to the author’s enduring appeal and her place at the heart of our literary and cultural heritage.”