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AssetID: 36017019

Headline: Out of The Ordinary Auction

Caption: PICTURE SHOWS: A late 19th century horsehair stuffed sperm whale penis - an impressive 1.67m long. Consigned to the auction house by a private collector, who had owned it for about 20 years, it sold just above estimate at £4600. .... STORY COPY: A Michael Jackson stage costume and a sperm whale penis, joined a pair of wing tips from a 747 in the aptly-titled Out of The Ordinary sale at Sworders of Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex on February 12. Buyers warmed to the unusual, wacky and occasionally downright strange mix of objects that collectively raised £231,210 (£284,400 including premium). The Jackson costume - a jumpsuit, helmet, gloves and trainers worn during the 1992-93 'Dangerous' tour - sold to a buyer from Japan for £16,000. During his performance, the prince of pop had appeared on stage in this costume with a jetpack attached to his back before proceeding (with the aid of a stunt double) to fly out of the arena. In terms shock value, little could compete with a late 19th century horsehair stuffed sperm whale penis - an impressive 1.67m long. Consigned to the auction house by a private collector, who had owned it for about 20 years, it sold just above estimate at £4600. A private buyer bid £20,000 a full-mount Canadian polar bear (Ursus maritimus). The pair of Cathay Pacific 747 aeroplane wing tips a took £6,100. The sale, the second held by Sworders, was curated by former Christie’s and Bonhams specialist Mark Wilkinson.

Keywords: odd,oddity,offbeat,funny,LOL,quirky,weird,amazing,interesting,cool,humour

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