0 BONHAMS TO SELL AEROPLANE THAT FEATURED IN OSCAR-WINNING HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER ‘OUT OF AFRICA’

1929 De Havilland DH 60GMW Gipsy Moth bi-plane was flown by character Denys Finch Hatton (played by Robert Redford) in the seven-time Oscar-winning 1985 film

 

It will go on sale at the Bonhams auction at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, from 6^th to 7^th February 2013, where bidding is expected to be in excess of €150,000 (£120,000, US$180,000)

 

The aeroplane which featured in the 1985 Oscar-winning film ‘Out of Africa’ – starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford – will be among the lots on offer at the Bonhams sale at the Grand Palais in Paris in early 2013, during Rétromobile week.

 

The 1929 American Moth Corporation De Havilland 60GMW Gipsy Moth is offered in excellent condition with a permit to fly. It still wears its yellow-and-black livery and registration G-AAMY (in homage to pioneering English aviatrix Amy Johnson) as seen in the Sydney Pollack-directed movie, which went on to win seven Oscars in the year of its release.

 

In the film, the two-seater bi-plane is piloted by character Denys Finch Hatton (played by Redford) over the Kenyan savannah.

 

The DH-60 Moth measures 24ft long by nearly 9ft high (7.3 metres by 2.7 metres), and has a 30ft (9m) wingspan. It is capable of a maximum speed of 105mph (169km/h).

 

Following the spectacular success of its 2011 sale at the historic automotive venue, Bonhams is delighted to be returning to the Grand Palais in Paris in 2013, where the Motor Car, Motorcycle and Automobilia departments will combine with the 20th Century Decorative Arts department to conduct a series of sales.

 

Among motor car lots already consigned for the 6^th to 7^th February sale is the outstanding ex-works Bugatti Type 54 that raced at Monza on 6th September 1931 in the hands of Achille Varzi (estimate €2.5 million - €3.5 million).

 

Other motor cars of note include two cars that have been in their respective families’ ownerships from new – a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage Cabriolet (estimate €350,000 - €450,000) and a 1949 Bentley MkVI with coachwork by Graber (estimate €75,000 - €125,000). A 1953 Bentley R-Type Continental from long-term private ownership (estimate €550,000 - €750,000), a 1938 Lancia Astura 4^th Series Cabriolet with coachwork by Boneschi (estimate €400,000 - €500,000) and a 1928 Minerva AK 32 PK Faux Cabriolet with coachwork by Labourdette (estimate €280,000 - €360,000) – the latter from the collection of French former racing driver Serge Pozzoli – are among other lots offered (see notes to editors for a full list of motor car entries to the sale).

 

Highlights among the objets d’art in the sale include: 

• Raoul Larche, a Gilt-Bronze Figural Lamp modelled as the actress Loie Fuller, c.1920 (estimate €50,000 - €75,000)
• Jean Dunand, a Dinanderie vase from the first year of production, 1913 (estimate €12,000 - €17,000)
• Demetre Chiparus ‘Dourga’. A large size chryselephantine model, c.1925 (estimate €15,000 - €22,000)

Final entries for the auction are being accepted. For further information call +33 1 42 61 10 11 or email: paris@bonhams.com.