FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dan Klores Communications
Bruce Bobbins / Danielle Kimiatek
212-981-5190 / 212-981-5116
17-FOOT LONG DINOSAUR INVADES BEVERLY HILLS...
EXTREMELY RARE DUCK-BILLED DINOSAUR FOSSIL, PLUS APOLLO LUNAR MODULE PARTS, EGYPTIAN MUMMIES, METEORITES, AND OTHER PREHISTORIC ITEMS AT CHAIT’S ANNUAL NATURAL HISTORY AUCTION MAY 16 IN LOS ANGELES
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BEVERLY HILLS, CA. A mounted 17-foot long duck-billed dinosaur fossil (pictured above) - one of the most complete specimens of the species Maisaura peeblesorum ever to be offered to the public - will be the featured item for sale at I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers Annual Los Angeles Natural History Auction on Sunday, May 16, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Chait, 9330 Civic Center Drive in Beverly Hills.
The duck-billed dinosaur - so-named for the shape of its flattened, duck-like "beaks" - dates back to the Upper Cretaceous period 99 million to 65 million years ago, when it roamed the plains of Asia, Europe and North America in massive herds. Nicknamed "Cory," this maisaur is from the herbivorous Hadrosaurus foulkii family, the same as “Leonardo,” which in 1858 became the first dinosaur fossil ever found in the U.S.
Cory has nearly 80% of original bone, and features a particularly good skull, fully articulated hind legs, unique ankle bones, and a very distinct tail section with 36 vertebrae. The fossil is expected to sell for a minimum of $500,000.
Among the other prehistoric collectibles in the multi-million dollar auction include:
A Collection of Apollo items including Lot 50 a leg of an un-flown lunar module: Expected to sell for between $6,000 - $8,000
Collection of Egyptian items, including Lot 281 a mummified hand: Expected to sell for between $5,000 - $7,000
Mummified cat: Lot 282 to sell for between $15,000 - $20,000
Ancient Egyptian Sarcophagus: Lot 283 Expected to sell for between $30,000 - $50,000
Lot 312 Large Saber Cat skull: Expected to sell for between $35,000 - $45,000
Lot 349 Complete Tyrannosaurus foot: Expected to sell for between $14,000 - $18,000
Two different fossil Pterodactyls: The first, Lot 355 from Germany will be estimated at $40,000 - $50,000 and the other from the USA Lot 356 will be estimated at $50,000 - $60,000
Lot 90 Extremely large gold nugget: Expected to sell for between $70,000 - $75,000
Moon and Mars rocks: Expected to sell for between $35,000 - $ 45,000
Lot 318 Giant fossil aquatic reptile skeleton (Ichthyosaur): Expected to sell for between $18,000 - $22,000
Lot 27 Modern snake skeletons: Expected to sell for between $2000 - $3000
Lot 343 An outstanding opalescent ammonite: Expected to sell for between $40,000 - $45,000
And Many other fine minerals, dinosaurian, meteorites and fossils
To view the complete I.M. Chait catalog online, please visit www.chait.com. Fully illustrated catalogues are available as well. Preview in Beverly Hills is open to the public from May 11th - 15th 11am - 5pm or by appointment.
(Editor’s note: Hi-res jpeg images, plus other auction items, and interviews with Chait representatives are available by calling Bruce Bobbins or Danielle Kimiatek at Dan Klores Communications, 212-685-4300)
