It’s very doubtful that Heritage Auctions and Christie’s are going to be exchanging greeting cards this year. It seems the two aren’t getting along in the luxury auction playpen.
The fact that HA replaced Christie’s this year at the Dallas Museum of Art’s Art Ball in coordinating the auction was a minor shot over the bow. It could be simply written off that ball planners wanted to use hometown talent.
Ironically, one of the items up for bid was a Hermes Birkin handbag that went for around $17,000.
Why the irony?
It seems that just days after the May 3rd fundraiser, HA’s 26-year-old Matthew Rubinger, who had spearheaded the Dallas auction house’s reputation for “vintage” Hermes purses, turned in his resignation. He was heading to Christie’s. And to add insult to injury, according to Friday’s New York Times articles, “two other high-level [HA] associates announced that they, too, were leaving. Without warning, Heritage’s entire luxury accessories team had walked out the door.”
It’s juicy reading and perfect for a read by the pool or during a lunch at your desk.
BTW, HA filed suit Friday against Christie’s for $40M. Wonder how many Birkins that would be?
* Photo provided by the Dallas Museum of Art