The upcoming Christie’s auction of more than 150 assorted items from the Paul G. Allen Collection will feature computing equipment and artifacts, historic letters, artworks, space-related memorabilia and more. However, beyond the mainframes and minicomputers, some items of peculiar interest have been highlighted for their uniqueness and potential affordability. These items include a range of pieces such as the Puma RS-Computer Shoe, a 3D printed car, a Pac-Man arcade game, a Microsoft Green-Eyed Mouse, a Titanic First Class Luncheon Menu, a Matchless Canyon Diablo Meteorite, an Atari Pong Home Console, and Henri Cartier-Bresson photographs.
The Puma RS-Computer Shoe is a 2018 re-release of a 1986 running shoe with a computer chip built into the heel. Originally designed for runners to track distance, time, and calories, the shoes were updated with new features such as USB charging and Bluetooth connectivity to a smartphone. This pair, one of only 86 released, is a size 9 and is estimated to auction for $1,000 to $2,000. The Strati 3D Printed Car, produced by Local Motors in 2014 using a large-scale 3D printer, is composed of carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic and was printed in about 44 hours. It is estimated to auction for $5,000 to $8,000.
The Pac-Man Arcade Game is a nostalgic item that recalls the most successful coin-operated game of all time. The machine is sure to bring back memories of lining up quarters and trying to set high scores with its signature sounds. The estimated auction price for this classic game is $2,000 to $3,000. The Microsoft Green-Eyed Mouse, a “significant advancement in mouse technology” when introduced in the mid-1990s, features an optical sensor instead of ball tracking for improved cursor movement and ergonomic shape for comfortable use. The estimated auction price for this innovative mouse is $1,000 to $1,500.
The Titanic First Class Luncheon Menu offers a unique piece of history, dated April 14, 1912, the same day the doomed British passenger liner struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage to New York City. The menu, featuring a feast of various dishes, reportedly belonged to a first-class passenger who survived the disaster. The estimated auction price for this historic item is $30,000 to $50,000. The Matchless Canyon Diablo Meteorite, a more than 4 billion-year-old iron meteorite that crashed into the Arizona desert with the force of more than 100 atomic bombs, offers a fascinating natural sculpture from outer space. The estimated auction price for this unique piece is $100,000 to $150,000.
The Atari Pong Home Console recalls a simpler time in video gaming when “Pong” brought the game into the home in 1975. The console features a simple table tennis game with rudimentary graphics and an easy learning curve. The item even includes a pale yellow Toshiba TV to complete the retro gaming experience. The estimated auction price for this classic console is $3,000 to $5,000. Lastly, the Henri Cartier-Bresson photographs in the “Art of the Future” sale showcase Allen’s appreciation for paintings and illustrations that envision life in space and beyond. These two photographs capture scenes at the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., including the Saturn V rocket used for crewed flights to the moon. The estimated auction price for these photographs is $4,000 to $6,000.
Overall, the Paul G. Allen Collection features a diverse range of items that span technology, history, art, and space exploration. Each piece offers a unique glimpse into different aspects of culture and innovation, providing collectors and enthusiasts with an opportunity to own a piece of history from the late Microsoft co-founder’s personal collection. With a mix of iconic items like the Pac-Man arcade game and more obscure artifacts like the Matchless Canyon Diablo Meteorite, the upcoming Christie’s auction is sure to attract bidders looking for a piece of unique memorabilia.
