January 14, 2010

Will Christie’s auction of Yale Skull and Bones artifacts go ahead?

The fan base (if I may call it that) of Secret Places, Hidden Sanctuaries has become far-flung, to say the least. This week I received a cordial email from a former cabinet minister of a European country, who wanted to say he was intrigued with next week’s upcoming Christie’s sale in New York of the rather, er, special item shown above. Characterized by that renowned art auction house as a 19th century ballot box of Yale University’s Skull and Bones society, it is officially known as Lot 157, Sale 2287 (see “Important American Furniture, Folk Art, Silver & Chinese Export”). Its estimate is $10-20,000 including some related memorabilia, and as a piece of “folk art” it is surely unique in a macabre way given its hinged door on top of the skull. Perhaps a well-heeled hedge fund manager could buy it and use it as a spooky sort of canister for pocket change, or as lollipop holder for Halloween.

I think the piece is genuine, and not just because Christie’s has done its homework and properly vetted it. The World Archaeological Congress has indignantly (and perhaps properly) called on the firm to halt the sale, saying that it is “trafficking in human remains,” possibly in violation of the law depending on the provenance of the skull and bones in question.

Although I think its purpose could perhaps have been other than use as a ballot box, it has certain hallmarks of authenticity. As for the inscription “Thor,” that is one of the many secret names that have been used and recycled for generations within Bones, including by such luminaries as W. Averell Harriman (the “Thor” of his senior year at Yale).

If, however, the thought of taking this artifact home gives you the creeps (or, alternatively, the thought of parting with $20K gives you spine chills), here’s another idea, given the winter sales so many airlines are advertising: consider coming to our UK/European book launch party in London on the evening of Feb. 3rd, or else to our book signing the following evening. These will take place at “undisclosed locations,” though it’s possible we might leave a tell-tale sign in the alleyway close to where the Texas Legation to the Court of St James’s once existed. Alternatively, the details are available from your humble authors, “upon application” (the wonderful phrase that the Connaught Hotel used to use when I was lucky to stay there in the good old expense-account days). Come if you dare.