- 225
CARTIER, PARIS, EST. 1847 | Presentation Model of Concorde
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Presentation Model of Concorde
- signed to the underside Cartier Paris
- gold, rock-crystal, silk lined leather
- 10.5 by 4.1cm., 4 1/8 by 1 5/8 in.
- Made circa 1967.
in a fitted red leather case by Cartier inscribed 'MONSIEUR LE SECRETAIRE D'ETAT STONEHOUSE'
Provenance
John Stonehouse (1925–1988)
Condition
Overall good condition. Several chips and scratches to rock crystal base, slight discoloration to gold on the right wing of the airplane.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The first official presentation of the Anglo-French supersonic airplane took place on Monday the 11th December 1967 at the Sud Aviation factory near Toulouse. Concorde was not in full service until 1971, yet this pivotal moment in aviation history and entente cordiale cooperation was commemorated by the presentation of three gold and rock-crystal models of Concorde by Cartier to Jean Chamant the French Transport Minister, Tony Benn the British Minister of Technology and John Stonehouse in his function as Minister of State for Technology. Stonehouse is still chiefly remembered for other reasons, which in 1974 culminated with the faking his own death on a beach in Miami, whilst in fact fleeing to Australia with his mistress. When Margaret Thatcher found out in 1979 that Stonehouse, a former postmaster general and minister, had been a paid Czech spy since 1962, he had already been convicted of fraud, theft, forgery and wasting police time.