GV INT Auction room and carpet on display.(2 shots)
12 ft


LV Buyers.
18 ft


LV Auctioneer
44 ft


LV Buyer
46 ft


SCU Auctioneer.
54 ft


LV Buyers at end of bidding.
56 ft


GV Auctioneer announces withdrawal of carpet.
68 ft


TRANSCRIPT: WENNEK SPEAKING "A really superb here, ladies and gentlemen, and what have we offered for it? That is the big question - shall we say 100,000 to start it off, ladies and gentlemen? Five thousand, that's for the fringe is it? Is there any offer for the carpet? Haven't you got a room with - ten, we have ten thousand offered, ladies and gentlemen. And that is far, far below the value. Is there no reasonable offer to get it going well, that is ridiculous, my goodness me, I'm shocked. Eleven? At eleven is offered. Well ladies and gentlemen, that will never been seen again let me assure you. At eleven thousand pounds for the world famous Sultanbad Carpet. Last call at eleven thousand pounds, five hundred. At 11,500 is offered. Well that is just amazing. No reasonable offer. Is that the highest offer no more? Well ladies and gentlemen that carpet is withdrawn. I'm afraid we couldn't ethnically let it go for 11,500, sorry sir, thank you for your offer."




Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Sultanbad Carpet, one of the largest hand-knotted Persian carpets made since the 17th Century, was withdrawn from auction in London today, when bidding scarcely reached a tenth of the 100,000 sterling (240,000 dollars) it was expected to command. The carpet was among a group commissioned in 1937 by Adolf Hitler, Hermann Goering, Albert Speer and other leading Nazis. It was intended to be laid in the Chancellory building in Berlin, but the outbreak of the second world war prevented its delivery. Carpet expert Samuel Wennek withdrew the carpet from auction when bidding stopped at 11,500 sterling (27,600 dollars).