The Andrews Collection at RM Sotheby's: 1959 Lister-Chevrolet

RM Sotheby's has a very special example of British-American racing cars at auction today, Saturday, May 2--the 1959 Lister-Chevrolet.  This gorgeous machine (Chassis No. BHL / Engine No. 3789935) with lightweight aluminum "knobbly' body that many Lister cars are famous for, is mated to a 436 bhp Small-Block Chevrolet engine making for a potent combination back then, and we suspect so even today.  This cars holds lap records at Oulton Park, Goodwood and Spa, Belgium, has proper FIA paperwork and would make any serious collection complete.

$500,000-$650,000 (No Reserve)

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Images ©RMSotheby's / Andrews Collection

Krona o Stjärna to partner with Royal Swedish Space Institute to increase supply of Crowns and Stars

Stockholm, April 1, 2015-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lifestyle and Design company Krona o Stjärna have signed a 3-year agreement with the Royal Swedish Space Institute (Kungliga Svenska Rymdinstitutet) to explore outer space and keep secure the world's supply of Crowns and Stars.

"This is an ambitious undertaking, but the Institute's partnership with KoS will ensure a steady supply and further exploration of Crowns and Stars for decades to come." - Bengt Bengtsson, press secretary, KSRI, Stockholm

We at Krona o Stjärna are proud to be involved in such a worthwhile, important, and for that matter, rather stylish endeavor and look forward to bringing these precious gems, jewels, experiences and objects safely back to Earth and our ever-growing following around the world.

-Krona o Stjärna | Life, Style, Outerspace.™

Eton of Sweden

The Swedish shirtmaker, begun in 1928 by David and Annie Pettersson, to this day, remains one of the world's leading  producers of fine shirts, suiting and accessories.  At the "Syfabriken' in Gånghester, near Borås in southern Sweden, a happy accident of sorts occurred at the beginning of the Great Depression, after the Pettersson's were forced to close their sawmill.  They retooled their factory to create shirts, and sublet surplus space to local shoemakers and manufacturers to keep the lights on, the company was renamed "Skjortfabriken Special", or 'Special Shirt factory'. 

With steady production until the end of WWII, the premium fabrics ban was eventually lifted, compelling the Pettersson's to venture out to find still finer and more varied fabrics for their products.  They eventually made it to London, eventually opened a shop there and the Eton name was established.  This was a result of finding a name that would be easy for English-speakers to pronounce, while at the same time adding prestige, naming the company after the exclusive men's college.

How to be a Proper New Yorker: Tip No.2

Know thy Neighbor

Say hello, talk about the weather or the mail
Eye contact, a smile, let's not just bail

Not only is this polite
but may be helpful that dark, rainy night

when we ring their doorbell and say “Please,
would you let me in? I forgot my keys”

And thy Neighborhood

If we're moving here or visiting from afar
remember, others have been where we are

Though we may feel like explorers in our newfound 'hood
the family down the street has been here since the Knicks were really good

Let's respect the exchange
between change and history's range

Each person with a different story
-- New York City's true glory

CLIFF VAUGHS: THE STORY BEHIND THE "CAPTAIN AMERICA" CHOPPER

©1969 Columbia Pictures

Cliff Vaughs, c. 1974

The "Captain America" chopper is arguably the most famous and recognizable motorcycle in the world, but the story behind its design and creation is little known to those outside of the motorcycle community.  Cliff Vaughs, a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, civil rights activist and film maker, met actor Peter Fonda as they both lived in West Hollywood in the 1960's. Fonda returned with Dennis Hopper to the backyard where Cliff was regularly found building his motorcycles to discuss early ideas of the iconic film "Easy Rider".  Vaughs, then well-known as a biker, builder and designer in the community, was given the task of building (as Associate Producer) the motorcycles and scenic concepts with mentor and builder Ben Hardy, a major pioneer of the SoCal bike scene himself.  He was also instrumental in hiring Director of Photography Baird Bryant (uncredited).  Legend has it that Vaughs actually missed the 1963 March on Washington because he was working on one of his motorcycles at the time.

The Design

Vaughs created the famous "Captain America" chopper with the inspiration of the Marvel comic book character of the same name.  The main characters "Capt. America and his sidekick "Bucky" led to naming the eponymous machine and the "Billy", steed of co-star and 'ER' film director Dennis Hopper.  There were a total of four motorcycles built for the film, based on 40's and 50's Harley Davidson police motorcycles which Vaughs had purchased at auction for $500.  With initial ideas given to him by Peter Fonda, Vaughs, with Hardy set forth to create the most iconic motorcycle ever captured on film.

Learn more about Cliff Vaughs here>

Learn more about Ben Hardy here>

Learn more about Black biker culture here>

CIVIL RIGHTS STYLE.

MLK and Marlon Brando

Bayard Rustin

Lena Horne ©Courtesy National Archives

Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte

Paul Newman

MLK.

Sammy Davis, Jr and Roy Wilkins, NAACP ©Courtesy National Archives

Jackie Robinson ©Courtesy National Archives

Robert Kennedy visiting Harlem

Austin Clinton Brown, Age 9 ©Courtesy National Archives

Malcolm X

L to R- Mathew Ahmann, Cleveland Robinson, Rabbi Joachim Prinz, A. Philip Randolph, Joseph Rauh, Jr, John Lewis, Floyd McKissick, Photo Credit: National Archives

Rosa Parks

James Baldwin and Marlon Brando ©Courtesy National Archives

Paul Robeson and Julian Bond

Angela Davis

Gordon Parks

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MLK

Wishing a happy 86th birthday to MLK, civil rights icon and visionary for the harmony of all mankind.  We have more to do, good sir, much more. Thank you for laying the roadmap. 

--Krona o Stjärna  

Learn more about this great American at http://www.thekingcenter.org