Going... going... gone To the highest bidder When you think of auctions, you probably think
of art. But what else can you find?
Our Yim Yoonhee joins us today with an auction featuring rare Korean items.
That′s right, from paintings and maps... to texts and books,.... this auction is offering
some very exquisite artifacts that contribute to Korea′s history and culture,... priceless
items that are truly worthy of a museum display. Here′s a look.
But how do you put a price tag on history? Here, the prized good goes to the highest
bidder,... but these items aren′t your run-of-the-mill antiques.
Before they hit the auction block, the items are put on exhibition,... where each one can
be marveled at from cover to cover. From ancient Korean text to modern paintings,
some artifacts date all the way back to the Joseon Dynasty, but all holds priceless value
to Korea′s history. And regardless its destination, for now, it
holds a special place where it can catch the eye of spectators and collectors alike.
INTERVIEW "Collectors will follow the goods, wherever,...
whenever. So here we′re offering 232 different types
of works, and overall 495 pieces. Together they are worth around 1.5 billion won, or
1.4 million US dollars. And because these items are so important to
Korea′s history, we believe it belongs to the people of Korea."
With so many aged artifacts, some are bound to be historical firsts,... such as the first
Korean-English dictionary, which was compiled during the late 19th, early 20th century by
J.S. Gale. A legendary figure in Korea′s history,..
Choi Seung-hee is considered the first leading Korean modern dancer.
She paved the roads for many,... and an originally copy of the first autobiography is just one
amongst the treasures. Artist Elizabeth Keith also captured some
of Korea′s most beautiful moments in her famous watercolor and woodblock printed works.
Now highly revered, some of her original prints, included the hand colored, make up a part
of this exhibition, showing a detailed glimpse into the every day lives of Korean families,...
as well as other inhabitants living in a very peaceful country.
Amongst the rare books and drawings are also photos and maps, pieces of a cultural heritage
that belong behind museum doors,... as each stands as proof of a unique and once very
different Korea. Such as the Uhjeongjaegwon ... a series of
text written by Korea′s former King Jeongjo,... starting at a bid of almost half a million
US dollars. INTERVIEW
"In the history of this world, there isn′t a single king who′s written over 100 books,
except King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty. He wrote many book series, and amongst them
is this series given to his confidant Yoon Haeng-im. From cover to cover, it was made
with the best supplies, from the best paper, to the best handwriting and even the very
best stamps,... you can consider this work a masterpiece of art in itself."
Whether it′s sells at 3 mil