A rare first edition of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, as well as a watch signed by the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., are among the items to go under the hammer at the León Gallery’s ‘Magnificent September’ auction on September 13, around 2:00 PM in Legazpi Village, Makati.
The gallery revealed the annual auction’s date with a post on their Facebook page on August 15, introducing Vicente Manansala’s painting, Family, which will also be included among the auction items.
On their website, they have released the official lineup and starting prices, among which include Rizal’s signed book and his draft plans and drawings for ‘Rizal Academy', starting at P4,000,000 and P1,000,000, respectively.
According to Leon Gallery curator Lisa Guerrero Nakpil, the newly discovered copy of Noli Me Tangere is proof of Rizal’s role as the Philippines’ first whistle-blower, also noting that it seemed as though he was sending a message across time.
Another notable item to be sold will be the late President Marcos’ 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date watch with his signature engraved at the back, priced at P900,000.
Breaking records from last year with a price of P57,676,800, Fernando Amarsolo’s ‘Under the Mango Tree’ will also be auctioned off at the same event with a starting price of P10,000,000.
Other historical memorabilia on sale include a Butuan Sagger with a gold hilt from the pre-colonial era, a Steinway Hamburg Grand Piano specially acquired for the 1976 inauguration of the Philippine Plaza Hotel, and important personal effects of modernist painter Nena Saguil.
A preview of the auction pieces will run from September 6 to 12, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
