Got nothing to do this weekend? If you're looking for a bargain or maybe a piece of financial industry history, take a stroll over to the New York Sheraton Hotel and Towers where Bernie and Ruth Madoff's personal possessions are set to go under the hammer.
Some of the personal items that are up for auction include diamond rings, a rare Rolex "Monoblocco" watch, Bernie's 1960 Hofstra University class ring and a personalized New York Mets jacket. Proceeds from the sale will go to the victims of Madoff's Ponzi scheme, which unraveled nearly a year ago. Some 200 items up for bid include more than 40 watches, along with numerous bracelets, earrings, cufflinks, rings and fur coats. Other items include fishing rods, wooden decoy ducks, customized stationary, pens, a buoy labeled "Bullship NY" and an original drawing of his boat, titled "Bull," commissioned by a captain and signed by artist Sherry Fink Muhs.
Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers is running the auction for the U.S. Marshal's service. You can attend the live auction Saturday starting at 10 a.m. at the New York Sheraton Hotel and Towers, and there's a preview Friday.
And if a tattered Mets jacket is not your style, head down to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where on Nov. 17 the Marshals Service will be auctioning off three luxury yachts seized from Madoff, plus a 61-foot fishing yacht formerly owned by top Madoff aide Frank DiPascali. Also on the block is Madoff's low-mileage Mercedes Benz CLK 320 convertible.
All potential bidders must preregister to view the vessels and participate in the auction. Potential buyers can register, view photos of the vessels and obtain all the documents needed during the auction at
www.yachtauctions.com or
www.usmarshals.gov/Madoff. Only registered bidders may attend the live auction. -
Donna Block
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