| Diaries of a Madwoman -- Stolen?
New allegations of cheating and thievery in the Anna Nicole saga. Lin Wood, the high-powered bull-dog attorney of Howard K. Stern has sent a notice to Heritage Auctions, Inc. over two of Anna Nicole's diaries listed as available on the site. Wood claims that the diaries were stolen and that the company, and the auction sponsor, Clips4Sale.com, are not legally entitled to hawk the items. "Make no mistake: these items were stolen from Ms. Smith by one or more thieves," claims Wood's letter. "Ms. Smith's Estate intends to vigorously pursue the return of the diaries, will take whatever means necessary to secure their return, and will hold to account those persons and entities that have profited through their reprehensible acts at the expense of the Estate." TMZ spoke with Thomas Riccio, the man claiming to be the original owner of the diaries, who denies Wood's claims, saying that "the facts he mentions in the letter are FALSE -- these diaries are NOT stolen, (They were obtained BEFORE her death) -- he is just trying to steal more money in the name of Anna Nicole." The diaries are handwritten journals from 1992 and 1994, and both auctions start at a whopping $26,000.
Rosebuds wither on the auction block
No one wants to gather rosebuds, it seems. For the second time in five years, the Canadian owners of Sir John William Waterhouse's Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May have withdrawn their large and luscious Pre-Raphaelite oil painting from auction. The painting, an oil-on-canvas allegory of the transience of youth and beauty, failed to reach what its vendors regarded as its minimum value at a Sotheby's bidding room in New York yesterday afternoon. Sotheby's catalogue had listed an expected price range of $1.75-million to $2.5-million (U.S.). Rosebuds created a sensation in 2001 when the couple took their painting of barefoot young women plucking flowers in a verdant bower to Toronto art dealer Odon Wagner, who authenticated it as a genuine Waterhouse. Just the year before, in 2000, Waterhouse had commanded the highest price for any Pre-Raphaelite painter -- $11.6-million, including buyer's premium, at a Christie's auction in London, for his painting St.
McCOY BIDS TO BREAK GRAND NATIONAL DUCK
Tony McCoy has smashed virtually every record in the book in what has been a brilliant career. But there is one glaring omission from his otherwise glittering CV - a win in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree.
The perennial champion jockey will try to put that right at the 12th attempt on Saturday when he partners the Francois Doumen-trained L'Ami.
Third is the best McCoy has managed so far and he said philosophically: "If it happens, it happens, and if it doesn't, it doesn't.
"The National is a unique race and however good a jockey you are - and there have been better than me - unless you have the right horse, you won't win.
"It would be great if L'Ami could do it and he certainly has the class. His best run was when finishing second to Kauto Star in a small field in the Aon Chase at Newbury, and I was disappointed with his run in the Gold Cup (where he finished seventh).
No sale as Coles fuels bidding war
Coles rejected Wesfarmers' $19.6 billion offer and warned shareholders not to sell their shares as it talks up the prospect of a fresh bid from a consortium led by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR). The nation's No.2 retailer said Wesfarmers' cash offer of $16.47 a share was not high enough to be recommended to investors.
The news sent Coles shares to record heights today as investors bet on a counter-bid emerging for the takeover target.
By 2.40pm, Coles shares were 2.4 per cent or 41 cents higher at $17.38. Coles confirmed officially that any negotiations with Wesfarmers were over. "Until such time as Coles' ownership review has been completed and the Coles board has made a recommendation to shareholders, Coles shareholders are advised not to sell, or grant economic or voting interests over their shares," the company said in a prior statement.
MU's Student Government Association auctions dates to raise money ...
HUNTINGTON -- Marshall University's Student Government Association (SGA) members hosted a date auction on campus Wednesday night to raise money for the Relay For Life event. SGA members were auctioned off to the highest bidding students, which they had to make plans go out on a date with afterwards. .
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