20.3.10

SOTHEBY'S TO SELL RARE ICONIC 1986 WARHOL SELF-PORTRAIT


AN ICONIC AND RARE SELF PORTRAIT BY ANDY WARHOL, EXECUTED IN 1986 JUST PRIOR TO HIS UNEXPECTED DEATH THE FOLLOWING YEAR, WILL BE OFFERED BY SOTHEBY'S 12.MAY IN A SALE OF CONTEMPORARY ART. THE PAINTING IS FROM WARHOL'S FINAL SERIES OF SELF PORTRAITS, WIDELY ACKNOWLEDGED AS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF HIS ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER. THE MONUMENTAL CANVAS, MEASURING 108 x 108in, IS ONE OF ONLY A HANDFUL EXECUTED BY THE ARTIST AND ONE OF ONLY TWO THAT ARE KNOWN TO BE PRIVATELY HELD. ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR $10 TO $15 MILLION, THE PAINTING WILL BE SHOWN IN HONG KONG AND LONDON PRIOR TO ITS EXHIBITION AND SALE IN NEW YORK. THE SERIES OF 1986 PORTRAITS WOULD BE THE ARTIST'S LAST, PAINTED JUST PRIOR TO HIS DEATH IN FEBRUARY 1987. WHILE THE ARTIST CREATED SELF PORTRAITS THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, THE MAJORITY DATE FROM THE 1960s AND 1970s. WHEN WARHOL CREATED THE 1986 SERIES, IT HAD BEEN QUITE SOME TIME SINCE HE HAD DEALT WITH HIS OWN ICONIC IMAGE.PREVIOUS 1960s SELF PORTRAITS HAD BEEN BASED ON STRIPS OF IMAGES TAKEN IN A PHOTO BOOTH, WHILE THE 1986 WORKS ARE BASED ON POLAROIDS WHICH HE HAD USED THROUGHOUT THE 1970s AS SOURCE IMAGES. WEARING HIS TRADEMARK SIGNATURE 'FRIGHT WIG', WARHOL'S SELF IMAGE OVERWHELMS THE INKY BLACK CANVAS SURFACE, CONFRONTING THE VIEWER WITH A DIRECT AND HAUNTING GAZE. WHILE MANY OF THE LARGE-FORMAT 1986 SELF-PORTRAITS MEASURE 80 x 80 INCHES, THIS MONUMENTAL PAINTING IS ONE OF ONLY A HANDFUL ON THE SCALE OF 108 x 108 INCHES, EACH WITH A DIFFERENT GROUND THAN THE CURRENT PURPLE SELF-PORTRAIT. THE SELF-PORTRAITS HAVE AN ELEGIAC AND MYSTICAL INTENSITY AND ARE THE PENULTIMATE STATEMENT OF THE ARTIST'S CONTRADICTORY NATURE AS A FLAMBOYANTLY PUBLIC PERSONALITY WHO WAS ULTIMATELY ENIGMATIC AS A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL.

ROME TO DISPLAY ANCIENT ARTIFACTS RETURNED BY THE METROPOLITAN


ANCIENT GREEK ARTWORKS, PIECES OF SILVERWARE AND GOLD DETAIL DATING TO THE THIRD CENTURY BC, ARE GOING ON DISPLAY IN ROME AFTER BEING RETURNED BY THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART IN NEW YORK. THE 16 HISTORIC PIECES INCLUDE TWO LARGE BOWELS, A CUP WITH TWO HANDLES, PLATES AND DRINKING UTENSILS. THEY WERE RETURNED AS PART OF ITALY'S AGGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN AGAINST ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING IN ANTIQUITIES. ITALIAN ART OFFICIALS SAID THAT THE PIECES WILL GO ON DISPLAY AT THE MUSEO NAZIONALE ROMANO IN THE ITALIAN CAPITAL. THE EXHIBIT OPENS 20.MARCH AND RUNS THROUGH 23.MAY, AND THEN MOVES TO SICILY. THE PIECES ARE KNOWN AS THE 'MORGANTINA TREASURE' AFTER THE NAME OF THE ANCIENT GREEK SETTLEMENT NEAR WHAT IS NOW THE ITALIAN CITY OF AIDONE, SICILY.

GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART TO PRESENT EXHIBITION OF UGA'S 225th ANNIVERSARY


THE GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART (GMOA), ATHENS, GA, IS ORGANIZING 'UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA TURNS 225', AN EXHIBITION BEGINNING 19.MARCH, THAT WILL CELEBRATE UGA'S 225th ANNIVERSARY. THE EXHIBITION WILL DISPLAY VISUAL ART THAT REFLECTS BOTH THE HISTORY AND THE CURRENT STATE OF UGA AND ITS CAMPUS LIFE. PAINTINGS BY LAMAR DODD, THE FOUNDER OF THE UNIVERSITY'S ART SCHOOL, WILL BE ON DISPLAY, INCLUDING 'THE ARCH' AND 'NORTH CAMPUS', AS WELL AS WORKS BY SUCH OTHER NOTABLE ARTISTS AS GEORGE COOKE, CHARLES FREDERICK NAEGLE AND HOWARD THOMAS. CURRENT ART STUDENTS AND PROFESSORS, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CERAMICS, WILL ALSO HAVE A ROLE IN THE ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION. THE COMBINATION OF HISTORIC AND RECENT OBJECTS REFLECTS THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNIVERSARY, WHICH IS TO HONOR THE PAST AND THE PRESENT WHILE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE. THE EXHIBITION WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 9.MARCH THROUGH TO 30.APRIL IN THE GALLERIES OF THE VISUAL ARTS BUILDING ON JACKSON STREET, WHICH IS ALSO HOME TO THE TEMPORARY OFFICES OF THE MUSEUM WHILE IT UNDERGOES EXPANSION AND RENOVATION.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.uga.edu/gamuseum

19.3.10

SOTHEBY'S MAGNIFICENT JEWELS SALE INCLUDES A RARE 100.17 CARAT DIAMOND NECKLACE



OVER ONE HUNDRED OF THE WORLD'S MOST STUNNING AND AMAZING JEWELS ARE SET TO GO UNDER THE HAMMER AT THE ANNUAL SOTHEBY'S MAGNIFICENT JEWELS AUCTION IN NEW YORK ON 20.APRIL. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AUCTION IS THE MUCH ANTICIPATED 100.17 CARAT YELLOW DIAMOND NECKLACE, WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR AT LEAST £2 MILLION. OTHER ITEMS UP FOR BID INCLUDE 17 UNIQUE PIECES FROM BRITISH PHILANTHROPIST PATRICIA KLUGE, WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO SELL FETCH £2.25 MILLION. HIGHLIGHTS FROM HER COLLECTION INCLUDE A 1984 CARTIER PLATINUM, DIAMOND AND SAPPHIRE PANTHERE WRISTWATCH. BUT UNLIKE OTHER WATCHES, THE ACTUAL DIAL IS HIDDEN BENEATH A DIAMOND-ENCRUSTED RECLINING PANTHER. TO READ THE TIME, THE WEARER MUST LIFT UP THE HEAD OF THE ANIMAL. KLUGE, WHO ONCE MODELED IN 'GIRLIE' MAGAZINE KNAVE IN LONDON DURING THE SIXTIES, IS ALSO PARTING WITH A PAIR OF PLATINUM AND DIAMOND PENDENT-EARCLIPS ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR £530,000, AND A PLATINUM AND DIAMOND RING SET WITH A 20.15 CARAT PEAR-SHAPED DIAMOND VALUED AT £132,000. DOZENS OF OTHER JEWELS, WHICH ARE NOT PART OF THE KLUGE COLLECTION ARE ALSO TO BE SOLD. A STANDOUT ITEM IS A PINKISH-ORANGE DIAMOND WHICH 7.67 CARATS, FRAMED AND FLANKED BY ROUND DIAMONDS MOUNTED IN PLATINUM AND 18 CARAT PINK GOLD. A SOTHEBY'S SPOKESMAN SAID THE ITEM WAS THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND AS GRADED BY THE GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA AND IT IS EXPECTED TO FETCH £2.3 MILLION. DESPITE THE SENSATIONAL PRICE-TAGS, INDUSTRY EXPERTS SAY BIDDERS ARE EAGER TO SPLASH OUT ON EXCEPTIONALLY RARE ITEMS.

WAL-MART INVESTIGATES UNPRECEDENTED ANNOUNCEMENT


POLICE BEGAN A RACE HATE CRIME INVESTIGATION RECENTLY AFTER AN ANNOUNCEMENT WAS BROADCAST AT A WAL-MART SUPERSTORE IN NEW JERSEY ORDERING 'BLACK PEOPLE' TO GET OUT. A MAN'S VOICE WAS HEARD CALMLY SAYING OVER THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM: 'ATTENTION WAL-MART CUSTOMERS, ALL BLACK PEOPLE LEAVE THE STORE NOW'. THE UNUSUAL DEMAND CAUSED AN OUTCRY AMONG SHOPPERS AT THE STORE IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. OFFICIALS AT WAL-MART, WHICH IS AMERICA'S LARGEST STORE CHAIN, WERE REVIEWING SECURITY TAPES TRYING TO DISCOVER WHO HIJACKED THE INTERCOM TO MAKE THE OFFENSIVE MESSAGE. DETECTIVES WHO ARE INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT BELIEVE A RACIST EMPLOYEE MAY BE RESPONSIBLE. WITNESSES TOLD THE COURIER-POST NEWSPAPER THAT CUSTOMERS AND STORE EMPLOYEES LOOKED STUNNED AND SHOCKED. MANAGEMENT LATER APOLOGIZED. A COMPANY SPOKESPERSON SAID THAT THE INCIDENT WAS 'UNACCEPTABLE', AND WILL BE LOOKING AT WAYS TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP AND THE GLOUCESTER PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE ALSO ARE INVESTIGATING. WAL-MART OFFICIALLY APOLOGIZED FOR THE 'UNACCEPTABLE' INCIDENT, BUT SHOPPER SHEILA ELLINGTON, WHO WAS IN THE STORE WHEN THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS AIRED, HAS VOWED SHE WILL NEVER RETURN. 'IN 2010, I WANT TO KNOW WHY SUCH STATEMENTS ARE BEING MADE. IT FLIES IN THE FACE OF WHAT WE TEACH OUR KIDS, AND THAT'S TOLERANCE', SHE SAID.

THE QUEEN'S PERSONAL CAR BEING OFFERED FOR SALE


THE QUEEN'S PERSONAL CAR, COMPLETE WITH A CUSTOMIZED HANDBAG HOLDER AND LAMBSKIN RUGS FOR THE CORGIS, HAS RECENTLY GONE ON SALE. BEARING THE SAME NUMBER PLATE AS WHEN IT WAS USED BY THE QUEEN BETWEEN 2001 AND 2004, THE JAGUAR DAIMLER IS BEING SOLD BY SPECIALIST MEMORABILIA DEALER PETER RATCLIFFE. THE TOP OF THE RANGE DAIMLER, WHICH WAS SPECIALLY BUILT FOR THE MONARCH, ONLY HAS 14,000 MILES ON THE CLOCK AS IT WAS MAINLY USED FOR DRIVING AROUND THE GROUNDS OF THE WINDSOR ESTATE. PAINTED A SHADE OF BRITISH RACING GREEN, THE DAIMLER MAJESTIC V8 HAS UNDERGONE SEVERAL MODIFICATIONS TO SUIT ITS PREVIOUS OWNER. THE CAR'S EXTRAS INCLUDED A SECURE TELEPHONE LINK TO DOWNING STREET AND THE HOME OFFICE, WHICH WAS REMOVED PRIOR TO SALE. UNIQUE WINDOW SWITCHES WERE ALSO INSTALLED TO STOP THE WIND BLOWING DIRECTLY INTO THE QUEEN'S FACE. OTHER EXTRAS INCLUDE A CONSOLE OF SWITCHES TO CONTROL FLASHING STROBE LAMPS AND BLUE EMERGENCY CONVOY LIGHTS AND PADDED LEATHER INSERTS FOR THE ARM POCKETS IN THE DOORS TO STOP THE CORGIS SLIDING OFF THE CALFSKIN SEATS INTO THEM. RATCLIFFE SAID: 'THE QUEEN HAD THE IDENTICAL CAR FROM 1998 TO 2001. SHE LIKED THE CAR SO MUCH THAT SHE WANTED THE SAME AGAIN, BUT THERE WERE A FEW THINGS SHE WANTED TO CHANGE. WHEN SHE MET WITH JAGUAR SHE SAID THAT WHEN SHE SAT IN THE BACK OF THE CAR SHE LIKED A BIT OF AIR, BUT DIDN'T LIKE THE WIND TO BLOW DIRECTLY INTO HER FACE. SO THEY INSTALLED AN EXTRA SWITCH ON EACH OF THE REAR DOORS TO CONTROL THE WINDOWS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. IT WAS INGENIOUS.' 'THE QUEEN ALSO SAID THAT WHEN SHE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A PASSENGER, SHE WAS WORRIED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE NOWHERE TO PUT HER HANDBAG. JAGUAR TOOK THE NORMAL ARMREST AND ADDED A SLIDING TRAY SO COULD PLACE HER HANDBAG ON TOP AND PUSH BACK THE TRAY TO HOLD IT IN PLACE WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING', RATCLIFFE ADDED. THE DAIMLER MAJESTIC V8 WAS RELEASED FROM JAGUAR'S COLLECTION OF ROYAL VEHICLES AFTER IT WAS DEEMED SURPLUS TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE'S REQUIREMENTS. RATCLIFFE BOUGHT THE CAR, WHICH STILL HAS A 2005 TAX DISC IN IT, LAST YEAR. THE CAR ENTHUSIAST WOULD NOT COMMENT ON THE PRICE OF THE CAR, ALTHOUGH THE MOTOR HAD A LIST PRICE OF £65,000.

18.3.10

PROFILES IN HISTORY TO SELL LARGEST COLLECTION OF VINTAGE GLAMOR PHOTOGRAPHY


GEORGE HURRELL'S ICONIC PORTRAIT OF JEAN HARLOW ON A WHITE BEARSKIN RUG CREATED FOR VANITY FAIR MAGAZINE NOW SPEARHEADS ONE OF THE LARGEST AUCTIONS OF GLAMOR PHOTOGRAPHY IN ART HISTORY. THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE, AS WELL AS A CUSTOM PRINT OF THE INCOMPARABLE PHOTOGRAPH IS REGARDED AS HURRELL'S MOST IMPORTANT PORTRAIT AND IS ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR OVER $20,000. THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR MICHAEL H EPSTEIN AND SCOTT E SCHWIMER COLLECTION , WHICH CONTAINS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THE BEST EXAMPLES OF HOLLYWOOD FINE ART, WILL BE AUCTIONED OFF BY PROFILES IN HISTORY BEGINNING 26.MARCH. THE MICHAEL H EPSTEIN AND SCOTT E SCHWIMER COLLECTION IS RECOGNIZED AS TEH WORLD'S LARGEST COLLECTION OF GEORGE HURRELL AND INCLUDES OVER 1,000 ORIGINAL VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHS AS WELL AS 500 CAMERA NEGATIVES. FEATURED ARE DOZENS OF THE MOST VALUABLE 8x10 CAMERA NEGATIVES FROM HURRELL'S CAREER. INCLUDED IS THE BEARSKIN RUG PORTRAIT AS WELL AS THE NEGATIVES USED FOR THE HURRELL PORTFOLIOS TOGETHER WITH THOSE OF GARY COOPER, BETTE DAVIS, MARLENE DIETRICH, RITA HAYWORTH, VERONICA LAKE, AND JOHNNY WEISSMULLER FROM TARZAN, WHICH IS THE MOST SYMBOLIC EVER TAKEN OF A MALE SUBJECT IN HOLLYWOOD. EPSTEIN AND SCHWIMER RECENTLY DECIDED TO OPEN UP THEIR VAULTS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME WILL BE SELLING THEIR COLLECTED PHOTOGRAPHS AND FINE ART MASTERPIECES TO BENEFIT MANY CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THEY PASSIONATELY SUPPORT, PRIMARILY THE LOS ANGELES GAY & LESBIAN CENTER ON WHICH EPSTEIN SERVED AS BOARD MEMBER FOR 7 YEARS. 'IT'S TIME FOR SCOTT AND ME TO SHARE THE FRUITS OF OUR 25 YEAR COLLECTION WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD. WE WANT OTHERS TO ENJOY AND EMBRACE THE MOST REWARDING FIELD OF COLLECTING WITH WHICH WE CAN EVER IMAGINE BEING INVOLVED IN', EPSTEIN SAID ABOUT THE UPCOMING AUCTION. 'THERE IS NO BETTER ORGANIZATION THAN PROFILES IN HISTORY TO ENTRUST OUR COLLECTION. I AM CERTAIN THAT SCOTT AND I WILL BE BACK COLLECTING ONCE THIS AUCTION IS OVER.'
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.profilesinhistory.com or www.liveauctioneers.com.

DUCHESS OF CORNWALL PERSEVERES WITH BACK TROUBLE DURING ROYAL TOUR


THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL RECENTLY CARRIED OUT TWO HASTILY RESCHEDULED OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS IN POLAND AFTER AN 'ANNOYING' BACK PROBLEM FORCED HER TO PULL OUT OF HER ORIGINAL PROGRAM. THE DUCHESS HAD BEEN DUE TO FLY BY HELICOPTER TO EASTERN POLAND WITH THE PRINCE OF WALES TO VISIT A NATIONAL PARK AND A MOSQUE, BUT AFTER SUFFERING BACK PAIN SHE WAS ADVISED THE FLIGHTS AND A CONNECTING CAR JOURNEY ON BUMPY ROADS WERE TOO RISKY. INSTEAD THE DUCHESS MET STAFF AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN WARSAW BEFORE VISITING A MUSEUM ABOUT THE LIFE OF THE POLISH-BORN COMPOSER CHOPIN. AS SHE ARRIVED AT THE EMBASSY, THE DUCHESS WAS ASKED BY A GROUP OF REPORTERS ABOUT HER BACK INJURY, AND SHE SAID: 'I'VE JUST GOT THIS TRAPPED NERVE AND I CAN'T SHIFT IT. IT'S VERY ANNOYING. YOU JUST WANT SOMEONE TO PULL IT.' THE DUCHESS APOLOGIZED TO EMBASSY OFFICIALS, SAYING: 'I HOPE I HAVEN'T PUT YOU TO TOO MUCH TROUBLE', BEFORE BEING GIVEN A TOUR OF THE NEWLY OPENED BUILDING AND ENJOYING A CUP OF TEA WITH STAFF IN THE CANTEEN. THE DUCHESS HAS HAD RECURRING BACK TROUBLE FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AND LAST WEEK HAD TO CANCEL A TRIP TO THE BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET. SHE LATER PAID A VISIT TO THE CHOPIN MUSEUM IN WARSAW, AHEAD OF A CHOPIN CONCERT WHICH WILL CELEBRATE THE 200th ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMPOSER'S BIRTH. THE PRINCE, MEANWHILE, CARRIED ON LONE WITH THE TRIP TO A NATIONAL PARK ON THE POLISH BORDER WITH BELARUS AND TO A SMALL MOSQUE USED BY TARTARS.

CHRISTIE'S TO SELL LLOYD WEBBER PICASSO MASTERPIECE


IT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A LENGTHY LEGAL BATTLE OVER HOW IT CAME TO BE SOLD DURING THE NAZIS RISE TO POWER IN GERMANY, BUT, NOW A PICASSO MASTERPIECE OWNED BY ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER'S ARTS FOUNDATION IS FREE TO BE AUCTIONED AND IT'S ESTIMATED TO BE PRICED AT £30 TO £40 MILLION. ALL THE PROCEEDS FOR THE PAINTING'S SALE WILL BENEFIT THE ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER FOUNDATION, A CHARITY FOUNDED BY THE CELEBRATED COMPOSER IN 1992. WORKING FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT, THE FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON THE PROMOTION OF ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE IN BRITAIN. THE 'EXCEPTIONALLY IMPORTANT AND HIGHLY CELEBRATED' PORTRAIT OF ANGEL FERNANDEZ DE SOTO, ALSO KNOWN AS 'THE ABSINTHE DRINKER', WILL GO ON SALE IN LONDON LATER THIS YEAR, AUCTION HOUSE CHRISTIE'S RECENTLY ANNOUNCED. FOR A LONG TIME, HOWEVER, IT LOOKED AS THOUGH THE SALE WOULD NEVER TAKE PLACE. A PREVIOUS AUCTION AT CHRISTIE'S NEW YORK WAS HALTED IN THE ELEVENTH HOUR AFTER A GERMAN PROFESSOR CLAIMED HIS FAMILY HAD OWNED THE STUNNING PAINTING AND HAD BEEN FORCED TO SELL IT TO THE NAZIS. THE LLOYD WEBBER FOUNDATION DISPUTED THE CLAIM AND A COURT RULED IN ITS FAVOR, SAYING IT COULD NOT BE SUED BY THE PROFESSOR BECAUSE HE WAS NOT APPOINTED TO REPRESENT HIS RELATIVES' ESTATE. THE PAINTING SHOWS DE SOTO, WHO WAS ALSO A PAINTER AND SHARED A STUDIO IN BARCELONA WITH PICASSO, SITTING LANGUIDLY WITH A GLASS AND A PIPE. PICASSO PAINTED IT IN 1903, DURING HIS BLUE PERIOD. LLOYD WEBBER'S FOUNDATION BOUGHT IT FOR £19 MILLION IN 1995 AND IT WAS EXHIBITED AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY AND THE ROYAL ACADEMY. FOUR YEARS AGO THE FOUNDATION DECIDED TO SELL IT AND DONATE THE PROCEEDS TO ARTS CHARITIES. MARK WORDSWORTH, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOUNDATION'S TRUSTEES, SAID: 'THE MARKET FOR A PAINTING SUCH AS THIS IS CURRENTLY SO STRONG THAT THE TRUSTEES BELIEVE THAT TO HAVE SUCH A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY LOCKED UP IN ONE PAINTING WHICH COULD BE USED FOR OTHER CAUSES IS HARD TO JUSTIFY.'

DUTCH POLISCE ARREST TWO SUSPECTS FOR 2009 MUSEUM ROBBERY


DUTCH POLICE SAY THEY HAVE ARRESTED TWO MEN SUSPECTED OF INVOLVEMENT IN AN ART HEIST LAST YEAR IN WHICH MASKED AND ARMED MEN SNATCHED TWO PAINTINGS, INCLUDING ONE BY SALVADOR DALI. THE ROBBERS STOLE 'ADOLESCENCE', A 1941 GOUACHE BY DALI AND 'LA MUSCIENNE', AN OIL PAINTING FROM 1929 BY POLISH-BORN ART DECO PAINTER TAMARA DE LEPICKA. ON 1.MAY FROM THE SCHERINGA MUSEUM FOR REALISM. POLICE SAY THAT THE PAINTING HAVE YET TO BE RECOVERED. THE SUSPECTS, MEN GED 29 AND 42, WERE ARRESTED WEDNESDAY MORNING IN THE SOUTHERN CITY OF BREDA. POLICE RELEASED NO FURTHER DETAILS. THE MUSEUM TARGETED IN THE HEIST CLOSED DOWN LAST YEAR AFTER THE DSB BANK OWNED BY ITS PATRON, DIRK SCHERINGA, COLLAPSED.

17.3.10

QUEEN ELIZABETH II GIVES RECEPTION FOR BRITISH FASHION INDUSTRY


QUEEN ELIZABETH II RECENTLY GAVE A ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL TO BRITISH FASHION. OFFICIALLY, IT WAS CALLED A RECEPTION FOR THE BRITISH CLOTHING INDUSTRY, BUT THE EVENT WHICH WAS HELD AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE TUESDAY NIGHT BY THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH, HAD ALL THE HALLMARKS OF A ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL FOR THE FASHION INDUSTRY. AMONGST THE WORTHY, BEHIND THE SCENES STALWARTS OF THE COUNTRY'S MULTI-BILLION POUND MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENT; DYERS, WEAVERS, PRINTERS, KNITTERS, TEXTILE PIONEERS, DRY CLEANERS, RETAILERS FROM ALL LEVELS. THEY WERE ALL NAMES ONE NORMALLY ASSOCIATES WITH THE PULSE WHICH MAKES LONDON FASHION WEEK BEAT TO A SOUNDING CRESCENDO, MINGLED WITH THE SOLID HEART OF THE NATIONAL CLOTHING AND TEXTILE BUSINESS. ALONGSIDE THE WELL-KNOWN NAMES, SUCH AS BRUCE OLDFIELD, DAVID SASSOON, JASPER CONRAN, ZANDRA RHODES, ELIZABETH EMANUEL, MANOLO BLAHNIK, WERE MILLINERS PHILIP SOMERVILLE AND STEPHEN JONES AND SOME OF THE QUEEN'S OFFICIAL DRESSMAKERS INCLUDING ANGELA KELLY AND STUART PARVIN. THE HEADS OF THE MAJOR FASHION COLLEGES WERE ALSO THERE AS WELL AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL, HAROLD TILLMAN, A PLATOON OF MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD AND THE COUNTESS OF WESSEX, THE DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER AND PRINCESS MICHAEL OF KENT. THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE GREETED ALL 350 GUESTS PERSONALLY IN THE WHITE DRAWING ROOM, BEFORE AN INFORMAL AND DELIGHTFUL 'MINGLE' IN THE PICTURE GALLERY. THE QUEEN WORE A STUNNING, PALE GOLD AND SOFT TURQUOISE, SILK BROCADE JACKET AND MATCHING DRESS, WITH A DAZZLING 'SUNBURST' DIAMOND BROOCH SPARKLED ON HER LEFT SHOULDER.

SOCIALITE LOSES £660,000 ART COLLECTION AFTER FORGETTING TO PAY STORAGE BILL



BRITISH WRITER ANTHONY HADEN-GUEST WAS RECENTLY DISTRAUGHT AFTER HE DISCOVERED HIS £660,000 ART COLLECTION AND ALL HIS BELONGINGS HAD BEEN SOLD OFF IN NEW YORK BECAUSE HE WAS LATE PAYING A BILL FOR LESS THAN £1,000. THE 73 YEAR OLD SOCIALITE BROTHER IN LAW OF HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS JAMIE LEE CURTIS PUT HIS POSSESSIONS INTO STORAGE WHEN HE MOVED BACK TO LONDON TWO YEARS AGO. BUT WHEN HE RETURNED TO MANHATTAN, HE WAS TOLD THE STORAGE COMPANY SOLD EVERYTHING HE OWNED BECAUSE HE HADN'T KEPT UP TO DATE ON HIS MONTHLY PAYMENTS. 'PAPERS, BOOKS, ART, FURNITURE, CLOTHES, THIRTY YEARS OF EVERYTHING', HE SAID. 'I HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED. I HAVE BEEN STABBED 50 TIMES IN MY APARTMENT. BUT THIS IS THE WORST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. AND THERE IS AN AROMA HERE THAT ISN'T LILIES OF THE VALLEY', HE ADDED. HE SAID HIS VALUABLE ART COLLECTION OF MORE THAN 100 WORKS INCLUDED PIECES BY AMERICAN PAINTERS DAVID SALLE AND DONALD BAECHLER AND BARBADOS-BORN CONTEMPORARY ARTIST ASHLEY BICKERTON. HADEN-GUEST, A LEGENDARY BON VIVANT WHO REPORTEDLY INSPIRED THE CYNICAL PETER FALLOW CHARACTER IN THE TOM WOLFE NOVEL 'BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES', ADMITTED HE OWED THE COMPANY, PUBLIC STORAGE, ABOUT £900. BUT HE INSISTED: 'A COUPLE OF MONTHS BEFORE, MY LAWYER HAD ASKED THEM TO GIVE ME DETAILS SO I COULD WIRE THEM MONTHLY PAYMENTS. THEY REFUSED. I CALLED THEM TO SAY I WOULD SETTLE WHEN I GOT BACK TO NEW YORK. ALL OF THE CONTENTS OF THE WRITER'S RENTED STORAGE SPACE IN QUEENS, NEW YORK, WERE SOLD TO A SINGLE BUYER. BUT HADEN-GUEST HASN'T GIVEN UP HOPE OF GETTING THEM BACK. 'I HAVE A TERRIFIC LAWYER AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING', HE ADDED. A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE STORAGE COMPANY WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR COMMENT. THE WRITER, CARTOONIST AND ART CRITIC IS THE SON OF ARISTOCRAT PETER HADEN-GUEST, A UNITED NATIONS DIPLOMAT WHO BECAME THE 4th BARON HADEN-GUEST.

ALLEN MEMORIAL ART MUSEUM'S COLLECTION TO BEGIN TOUR


ONE MUSEUM'S RENOVATIONS ARE ANOTHER'S EXHIBITION. THUS, 20 MASTERWORKS FROM OBERLIN COLLEGE'S ALLEN MEMORIAL ART MUSEUM IN OHIO WILL SUMMER AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART IN NEW YORK WHILE THE ALLEN MUSEUM IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS. FROM 16.MARCH THROUGH 29.AUGUST, 19 PAINTINGS AND ONE SCULPTURE FROM ONE OF THE FINEST COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY COLLECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM. EACH ALLEN MUSEUM WORK WILL BE JUXTAPOSED WITH A METROPOLITAN MUSEUM PIECE TO CREATE THE MOST EXCITING CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE TWO WORKS, SAID A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM. FOR THAT REASON, THE EXHIBITION IS BEING CALLED 'SIDE BY SIDE'. FOLLOWING THE EXHIBITION AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, A COLLECTION OF WORKS FROM THE ALLEN MUSEUM WILL BE ON VIEW AT THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION IN WASHINGTON DC.

16.3.10

£200,000 60.5sqft LONDON FLAT






AN ENGLISHMAN'S HOME IS HIS CASTLE, BUT IN LONDONER RAY BARKER'S CASE IT'S A CONVERTED BROOM CLOSET MEASURING 11ft BY 5.5ft. BUT LOCATION IS EVERYTHING, AND THANKS TO ITS COVETED SPOT OPPOSITE HARRODS IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE, THE MINIATURE FLAT HAS BEEN VALUED AT £200,000. AND IT'S JUST RIGHT FOR BARKER, WHO USES THE TINY SPACE TO SLEEP IN, THUS AVOIDING A LENGTHY COMMUTE BETWEEN BATH AND CHISWICK. THE 49 YEAR OLD BOUGHT THE SPACE FOR £120,000 FOUR YEARS AGO, THE MIRROR REPORTED. HE SAID: 'I DO THE CLEANING WHILE LYING ON MY SOFA BED. IN FACT, I CAN WASH UP, ANSWER THE DOOR, MAKE A CUPPA AND GO TO THE LOO ALL IN THE SAME PLACE.' THE FLAT'S TWO ROOMS MEASURE 60.5sqft AND HAS A TOILET, A SHOWER WHICH DOUBLES AS A WARDROBE, AND SIX-INCH DEEP CUPBOARDS. IT WAS CONVERTED INTO A LIVING SPACE IN 1987 AND BOUGHT BY A SECRETARY FOR £37,000. NOW WORTH ALMOST SIX TIMES AS MUCH, SELLING THE FLAT WOULD ENABLE BARKER TO PUT DOWN AN OFFER ON 600 YEAR OLD BALLYFINBOY CASTLE, WHICH RESTS ON TWO ACRES OF LAND IN COUNTY TIPPERARY, IRELAND.

AFTER 20 YEARS A RENEWED EFFORT TO FIND ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM ARTWORKS


IT REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST INTRIGUING AND TALKED ABOUT ART HEIST MYSTERY IN THE WORLD. IN THE EARLY HOURS OF 19.MARCH.1990, TWO THIEVES WALKED INTO BOSTON'S RENOWNED ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM DISGUISED AS POLICE OFFICERS, AND BOUND AND GAGGED TWO SECURITY GUARDS USING HANDCUFFS AND DUCT TAPE. FOR THE NEST 81 MINUTES, THEY CASUALLY WALKED ABOUT THE STUNNING ORNATE GALLERIES, REMOVING HISTORIC MASTERPIECES INCLUDING THOSE BY REMBRANDT, VERMEER, DEGAS AND MANET, CUTTING SOME OF THE LARGEST PIECES FROM THE ORNATE GILT FRAMES. BY THE TIME THEY DISAPPEARED, THEY WOULD BE CREDITED WITH THE LARGEST ART THEFT IN MODERN HISTORY, MAKING OFF WITH UPWARDS OF A HALF-BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ARTWORKS. NOW, 20 YEARS LATER, INVESTIGATORS ARE MAKING A RENEWED EFFORT TO RECOVER THE PAINTINGS. THE FBI HAS RESUBMITTED DNA SAMPLES FOR UPDATED TESTING, THE MUSEUM IS PUBLICIZING ITS $5 MILLION, NO QUESTIONS ASKED REWARD, AND THE US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS OFFERING IMMUNITY. AND RECENTLY TWO LARGE BILLBOARDS, ADVERTISING THE REWARD, WERE PLACED ON MASSACHUSETTS' INTERSTATES 93 AND 495. INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY HAVE RULED OUT SOME OF THE MORE POPULAR THEORIES, FROM THE SPECTER OF A RECLUSE BILLIONAIRE ART COLLECTOR TO THE HAND OF NOTORIOUSLY FAMOUS BOSTONIAN JAMES 'WHITEY' BULGER. MORE LIKELY, INVESTIGATORS SAY, THE TWO WERE HOMEGROWN THIEVES WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE MUSEUM'S SECURITY SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE ABSENCE OF A DEAD MAN'S SWITCH THAT WOULD HAVE ALERTED POLICE ONCE THE GUARDS BECAME INCAPACITATED. THEY MIGHT HAVE EVEN UNDERESTIMATED THE BREATHTAKING SCOPE OF THEIR CRIME.

THE THEFT BEGAN AROUND 1:24am WHEN THE TWO MEN OVERPOWERED THE GUARDS, ACCORDING TO AN FBI REPORT. THE TWO TOOK THEIR TIME, A FULL 24 MINUTES PASSED BEFORE THEY WERE FIRST PICKED UP ON A MOTION DETECTOR ENTERING THE MUSEUM'S SECOND FLOOR DUTCH ROOM, WHERE THE MOST VALUABLE PAINTINGS WERE SEIZED. INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THE FIRST ARTWORK TO BE TAKEN WAS REMBRANDT'S ICONIC 'STORM ON THE SEA OF GALILEE', MEASURING 5' X 4' AND DATING BACK TO 1633. THE FRAME WAS LAID ON THE FLOOR WHERE ONE OF THE THIEVES NEATLY SLICED IT FROM ITS FRAME. NEXT WAS 'LANDSCAPE WITH AN OBELISK' BY GOVAERT FLINCK. OTHER STOLEN MASTERPIECES INCLUDED A SECOND REMBRANDT ALSO CUT FROM ITS FRAME, 'A LADY AND GENTLEMAN IN BLACK' FROM 1633. THE MOST VALUABLE PIECE WAS VERMEER'S 'THE CONCERT', AND OIL PAINTING MEASURING ABOUT 2 1/2' X 2' FROM 1660, ONE OF ONLY 36 KNOWN WORKS BY THE DUTCH MASTER AND VALUED AT MORE THAN $250 MILLION. A REMBRANDT SELF-PORTRAIT FROM 1629, ONE OF THE MUSEUM'S MOST VALUABLE PAINTINGS, WAS REMOVED FROM THE WALL, BUT THEN LEFT UNTOUCHED WHILE ONE OF THE THIEVES PATIENTLY UNSCREWED AND REMOVED FROM ITS FRAME A TINY REMBRANDT ETCHING SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN A POSTAGE STAMP. IN ALL, 13 WORKS WERE TAKEN FROM THE MUSEUM. FBI AGENT GEOFFREY KELLY, WHO HAS LED THE INVESTIGATION FOR EIGHT YEARS, SAID IT'S UNLIKELY THE THIEVES DESTROYED THE ART. 'IF IT WERE ANY OTHER KIND OF COMMODITY, I MIGHT FEEL PESSIMISTIC ABOUT RECOVERY BUT IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO STAY MISSING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME', HE SAID. 'IT'S ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING NOVELS YOU COULD WRITE, EXCEPT IT'S MISSING THAT LAST CHAPTER.'

ROYAL COUPLE ARRIVE IN POLAND FOR EASTERN EUROPE TOUR



THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL RECENTLY LANDED IN A CHILLY WARSAW AT THE BEGINNING OF AN EIGHT-DAY TOUR OF EASTERN EUROPE. THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL BE SPENDING THREE DAYS IN POLAND BEFORE MOVING ON TO HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC. HAVING LEFT LONDON ON THE WARMEST DAY OF THE YEAR SO FAR, THE PRINCE AND THE COUNTESS HAD TO BRAVE FREEZING CONDITIONS IN THE POLISH CAPITAL, WHICH HAD HEAVY SNOWFALLS OVERNIGHT. THE DUCHESS WAS WEARING A PAISLEY SILK DRESS AND RASPBERRY COLOURED COAT, BOTH FROM ANNA VALENTINE. AFTER BEING WELCOMED AT THE AIRPORT BY RIC TODD, THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO WARSAW, THE ROYAL COUPLE WERE DUE TO MEET PRESIDENT LECH KACZYNSKI BEFORE PAYING THEIR RESPECTS AT THE GRAVE OF FATHER JERZY POPIELUSZKO, THE CATHOLIC PRIEST WHOSE MURDER AT THE HANDS OF THE POLISH SECRET POLICE IN 1984 WAS ONE OF THE CATALYSTS FOR THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL. FATHER POPIELUSZKO, WHO WILL BE BEATIFIED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH LATER THIS YEAR, HELPED GALVANIZE THE SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT BY SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE COMMUNIST REGIME. HIS DEATH LED TO AN UNPRECEDENTED PUBLIC SHOW OF DEFIANCE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT, WITH OVER 500,000 PEOPLE TAKING TO THE STREETS FOR HIS FUNERAL, A MOMENT WHICH IS WIDELY ACKNOWLEDGED BY HISTORIANS AS THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF COMMUNISM IN POLAND. THE TOUR HAS BEEN ARRANGED BY THE FOREIGN OFFICE TO STRENGTHEN BRITAIN'S TIES WITH EASTERN EUROPE, WHICH HAS IMPORTANT TRADE AND MILITARY LINKS WITH THE UK. POLAND IS ONE OF THE 20 LARGEST EXPORT MARKETS FOR THE UK, AS WELL AS BEING THE SEVENTH BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR OF TROOPS TO THE NATO-LED MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN, WHERE 3,000 POLISH SOLDIERS ARE CURRENTLY SERVING. THE ROYAL VISIT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A VISIT TO A POLISH MILITARY BASE, WHERE THE PRINCE AND DUCHESS WILL MEET POLISH SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. TODD SAID THAT AS WELL AS PROMOTING BRITAIN IN POLAND, HE HOPED THE ROYAL VISIT WOULD HELP BREAK DOWN THE OFTEN STEREOTYPICAL VIEW OF POLES AND ENCOURAGE BRITISH PEOPLE TO VISIT THE COUNTRY.

15.3.10

SWAROVSKI TO OPEN TWO NEW CONCEPT BOUTIQUES


THE AUSTRIAN BASED BRAND SWAROVSKI, IS ALL SET TO 'CRYSTALLIZE' THE CITY WITH TWO NEW SPECIALTY BOUTIQUES IN MANHATTAN. THE 'CRYSTAL FOREST' RETAIL DESIGN CONCEPT WILL BE LAUNCHED AT THE TWO NEW STORES AND THEY WILL JOIN FIVE SWAROVSKI BRAND BOUTIQUES ALREADY IN THE CITY. THE CRYSTAL FOREST DESIGN WAS CREATED WITH THE INTENT OF MAXIMIZING THE PLAY OF LIGHT ON DIFFERENT MATERIALS. THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED BY THE BEDECKED METAL PRISM FACADES, TEXTURED WALL FEATURING REFLECTIVE WHITE PRISMS THAT CREATE AN ILLUSION OF DEPTH, WHITE LACQUER AND MIRROR STAINLESS STEEL FINISHES, AND A COMBINATION OF HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL SHOWCASES FEATURING LED LIGHTING. THE CRYSTAL FOREST BOUTIQUES WILL OFFER THE SAME PRODUCTS AS THAT AVAILABLE AT OTHER SWAROVSKI STORES, A MIX OF FASHION JEWELRY, TIMEPIECES, ELECTRONIC GADGETS AND HOME DECOR PRODUCTS STUDDED WITH THE BRANDS FAMOUS PRECISION-CUT CRYSTALS, WITH A SLIGHT VARIATION TO REFLECT THE PERSONALITY OF THE TOWN. THE FIRST STORE WILL OPEN AT 1540 BROADWAY IN TIMES SQUARE ON 14.MAY FOLLOWED BY A SECOND STORE OPENING AT PENN PLAZA IN JUNE.

MISSION IMMPOSSIBLE STAR PETER GRAVES DIES, AGED 83


Airplane! and Mission Impossible actor Peter Graves dies, aged 83
PETER GRAVES, STAR OF THE TELEVISION SERIES MISSION IMPOSSIBLE AND THE AIRPLANE! FILMS, HAS DIED. GRAVES' PUBLICIST, SANDY BROKAW, SAID THE ACTOR DIED SHORTLY AFTER RETURNING TO HIS LOS ANGELES HOME FROM BRUNCH WITH HIS FAMILY. HE WAS 83. THE ACTOR BEST KNOWN FOR HIS PORTRAYAL OF JIM PHELPS, LEADER OF A GANG OF SPECIAL AGENTS WHO BATTLED EVIL CONSPIRATORS IN THE LONG-RUNNING TELEVISION SERIES MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE.
NORMALLY CAST AS A HERO, HE TURNED IN AN UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCE EARLY IN HIS CAREER AS THE TREACHEROUS NAZI SPY IN BILLY WILDER'S 1953 PRISONER OF WAR DRAMA STALAG 17. HE ALSO MASTERFULLY LAMPOONED HIS MACHISMO IMAGE WHEN HE PORTRAYED BUMBLING AIRLINE PILOT CLARENCE OVEUR IN THE 1980 DISASTER MOVIE SPOOF AIRLINE! GRAVES APPEARED IN MORE THAN 70 FILMS, TV SERIES AND TV MOVIES. HIS BODY WAS FOUND IN HIS HOME IN PACIFIC PALISADES SHORTLY AFTER HAVING SUNDAY BRUNCH WITH HIS FAMILY, JUST FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO HIS 84th BIRTHDAY. ACCORDING TO GRAVES' BUSINESS MANAGER, GRAVES DIED OF A HEART ATTACK.

14.3.10

MADONNA TO SEEK HELP FROM QUEEN ELIZABETH II


MADONNA IS WRITING TO QUEEN ELIZABETH II TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE WITH A FILM THAT SHE IS MAKING ABOUT WALLIS SIMPSON. THE 51 YEAR OLD AMERICAN SINGER IS ABOUT TO WRITE TO THE QUEEN TO ASK ASSISTANCE WITH 'W.E.', A FILM THAT SHE IS MAKING ABOUT THE EDWARD VIII ABDICATION CRISIS. 'MADONNA IS KEEN TO MAKE THE FILM AS AUTHENTIC AS POSSIBLE AND WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL IF WE ARE ALLOWED TO FILM AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS', SAYS ONE OF HER ASSOCIATES. 'SHE LOVES THE UK AND HOLDS THE QUEEN IN THE HIGHEST REGARD.' MADONNA, WHO LIVED IN SIR CECIL BEATON'S FORMER HOUSE IN DORSET DURING HER SEVEN YEAR MARRIAGE TO BRITISH DIRECTOR GUY RITCHIE, PLANS TO START SHOOTING THE FILM LATER THIS SUMMER. THE SINGER HAS LONG BEEN FASCINATED BY THE 1936 CRISIS, IN WHICH EDWARD VIII'S DESIRE TO MARRY WALLIS SIMPSON, A TWICE-DIVORCED AMERICAN SOCIALITE, CAUSED A CONSTITUTIONAL DILEMMA. THE CRISIS WAS RESOLVED BY EDWARD'S ABDICATION AND HIS SUCCESSION TO HIS BROTHER GEORGE VI, WHO WAS THE QUEEN'S FATHER. EDWARD WAS GIVEN THE TITLE OF 'DUKE OF WINDSOR' AND HE MARRIED HIS LOVE WALLIS SIMPSON. THE FILM, FOR WHICH MADONNA WORKED ON THE SCREENPLAY, WILL STAR ABBIE CORNISH, AN AUSTRALIAN ACTRESS, AS A CONTEMPORARY WOMAN OBSESSED BY THE STORY OF WALLIS SIMPSON. A COURTIER WARNS THAT MADONNA SHOULD NOT GET HER HOPES UP AS FILMING IS GENERALLY NOT ALLOWED IN THE ROYAL PALACES. 'I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT HER MAJESTY WOULD MAKE AN EXCEPTION, PARTICULARLY FOR A FILM ABOUT WALLIS SIMPSON', HE SAYS.

NEWSUEM TO PRESENT ELVIS EXHIBITION


Elvis' Clash with Media on View at Newseum in Washington
A SPARK THAT HELPED IGNITE ELVIS PRESLEY'S FAME MORE THAN 50 YEARS AGO WAS LIT BY THE NEWSPAPER EDITORS AND CRITICS WHO HATED HIM. THEY DETESTED HIS VOICE AND THOUGHT HIS MOVES WERE UNFIT FOR FAMILY PUBLICATIONS, ALL THE WHILE TEENAGERS WENT WILD. IT'S THAT SHOCKING STYLE AND CLASH WITH THE MEDIA THAT ALSO WILL MAKE ELVIS THE SUBJECT OF A NEW EXHIBITION AT THE NEWSEUM, A HISTORY MUSEUM THAT CELEBRATES THE FIRST AMENDMENT IN WASHINGTON DC. 'NEWSPAPERS IN THE MID-'50s VIEWED THEMSELVES AS ARBITERS OF SOCIAL VALUES, AND THEY FELT THEY SHOULD BE AMONG THE ONES TO SPEAK MOST LOUDLY WHEN THEY SAW SOMEONE THREATENING AMERICA'S MORES', SAID NEWSEUM'S PRESIDENT. 'WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT FIERCELY NEGATIVE COVERAGE DROVE ELVIS' FAME. . . AFTER THE NATIONAL NEWS COVERAGE KICKED IN, HE WAS THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL.' ELVIS' TWO YEARS IN THE US ARMY, THOUGH, WAS THE TURNING POINT. PARENTS COULDN'T HATE HIM ANYMORE, AND THE NEWS MEDIA EVENTUALLY CAME ALONG, TOO. THE EXHIBIT OPENING 19.MARCH TRACES ELVIS' RISE IN THE 1950s, IN PART A STUDY IN IMAGE MANAGEMENT BY HIS LONGTIME MANAGER, COL TOM PARKER, TO HIS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON AT THE WHITE HOUSE IN 1970. IT WILL INCLUDE RARE OBJECTS FROM PRESLEY'S LIFE, SOME NEVER BEFORE DISPLAYED OUTSIDE GRACELAND AND OTHERS NEVER BEFORE PUBLICLY DISPLAYED ANYWHERE. OBJECTS IN THE COLLECTION INCLUDE ELVIS' 1957 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE THAT WAS KEY TO HIS REBEL IMAGE, HIS FIRST GRAMMY AWARD FOR HOW GREAT THOU ART IN 1968, THE OVERCOAT AND GOLD BELT ELVIS WORE TO MEET NIXON AT THE WHITE HOUSE, AND THE BUREAU OF NARCOTICS BADGE THE PRESIDENT GAVE PRESLEY. HE HAD REQUESTED TO BE MADE A 'FEDERAL AGENT-AT-LARGE' TO HELP FIGHT DRUG USE. MANY DOCUMENTS WILL BE DISPLAYED FOR THE FIRST TIME, INCLUDING THE 1955 EXCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT ELVIS AND HIS PARTNERS SIGNED, GIVING PARKER 25% OF HIS INCOME. (LATER, IN THE 1970s, PARKER'S STAKE ROSE TO AN UNPRECEDENTED 50%)