On May 22, Bonhams will offer a distinguished collection of some of the finest natural history items, part of its spring 2013 Natural History auction in Los Angeles. There will be a selection of various fossils of dinosaurs, vertebrates and some from invertebrates.
The dinosauria selection is highlighted by an exceptional juvenile Tenontosaurus tilletti skeleton that was discovered in autumn 2008 in Montana (est. $150,000-$180,000), a Tyrannosaurus rex maxilla (upper “jaw”) from Montana (est. $70,000–$90,000), an 11-foot dinosaur leg from a new, undescribed species of a North American long-necked dinosaur (est. $30,000–$40,000), and an exceptional T. rex tooth from Wyoming (est. $12,000-$15,000). Also on the offer are a rare Jurassic crocodile (est. $70,000-$90,000), skeleton of a massive wooly rhinoceros of the last Ice Age (est. $70,000-$90,000), a giant prehistoric “Irish Elk” skull with antlers measuring five feet across the width (est. $30,000-$35,000), a selection of rare Lebanese fish (estimates ranging up to $18,000).
Vertebrate fossils include the skull of a marine reptile (mosasaur) from Kansas (est. $35,000-$40,000), a reconstruction of a gigantic megalodon jaw (the largest shark species that ever existed) boasting 138 huge fossilized tooth specimens (est. $50,000-$60,000), an impressive skull of a Titanothere (an extinct rhinoceros-like animal) from the Brule Formation, Wyoming (est. $20,000-$25,000).
Also in offer are two stunning lots of fascinating scientific glass from the Manhattan Project: a mushroom-cloud-shaped sculpture entitled “First Light” (est. $100,000-$125,000) and a sculptural specimen (est. $20,000-$30,000), both offered on lighted basalt bases.
Numerous impressive interior design elements will also be made available in range of price of $5,000 to $10,000.
