WHAT CHILDREN WASN'T WALKED, ONLY WOULD NOT Cry. IN THE WORLD OF TRUE LUXURY THIS SAYING TAKES A QUALITATIVELY DIFFERENT MEANING. WELL, REALLY, WHAT ELSE TO SPEND A KIND OF HEART BY MILLIONS OR EVEN BILLIONS, CONVERTING THEM NOT ONLY TO PROFITABLE, BUT AND PLEASURE INVESTMENT? EVERYONE IS KNOWN THAT MONEY SHOULD WORK, THE QUESTION IS ONLY WHERE AND WHERE IT IS EXACTLY?
The creators of The Billionaire Gallery concept, which was recently brought to the Dubai fashion department store Harvey Nichols as an exposition of the Billionaire Gallery from unique collectible works for public viewing and selling to those who collect such things, are quite successfully responding to it. We went to it, at the same time having fun talking with Bruce Matthews, the author of the idea and the owner of the gallery, who told a lot of interesting things.
And not only for millionaires ...
Bruce, to begin with, please tell me how and why your exhibition was in Harvey Nichols Dubai?
Our company is based in Miami, Florida, and for many years successfully collaborates with the largest London department store Harrods, where our collections are exhibited on the 3rd floor. It was there that the representatives of Dubai Harvey Nichols found us and offered to present our unique vintage photographs, works of art and other collectibles, which passionate collectors hunt around the world.
How big is your meeting today, what does it consist of and what is it?
Today in our arsenal we have collected unique and one of a kind collectibles totaling more than 10 million US dollars, including historical and commemorative documents, autographs of legendary movie, sports, politics and show business stars. We place all objects related to the same subject under the glass in handmade frames, as they allow us to better "save the story." Many famous people purchase our works with pleasure and exhibit them in their houses, apartments and even palaces.
As an example, I’ll say that recently we purchased personal belongings and priceless autographs of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Liverpool four “The Beatles”, Walt Disney and Mohamed Ali. Of course, our main and most difficult task remains the search for personal items and historical documents related to the most legendary personalities of our planet. We constantly contact our regular customer-collectors, often go in search of those items that they want to purchase from us. Acquisition and Expertise Director Michael Rupel, who flew to Dubai with me to look around and understand the tastes and passions of the local collectors, is responsible for these questions at the Millionaire Gallery.
By the way, we are actively working with sellers of rarities around the world, so if someone has something to sell, he can safely visit our website and offer his works of art for a good price that we are willing to pay.
Wait a minute, I need to clarify one thing. In our conversation, you are talking about the Millionaire Gallery, then about the Billionaire Gallery. So for whom is your gallery - for millionaires or billionaires? The difference does exist. Or in your case, the truth is somewhere in between?
Good question that really needs clarification. Millionaire Gallery Inc. - This is the name of the parent company from Miami, and the Billionaire Gallery is the name of the expositions that we present in different countries of the world, and in this case in the UAE. So if your readers have already reached the status of millionaires and collect cute memorabilia from different eras, I tell them: "Welcome!"
What works did you bring to Dubai and why?
Before putting a collection on a particular market, we first study the estimated demand. We brought to the UAE more than 30 different works, among which a unique painting by Carlo Beninati "Tiger Roar" and a rare autograph by the golfer Tiger Woods; original film posters of the Scarface film autographed by Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Murray Abraham, Stephen Bauer and other actors; The poster of the movie "The Godfather" autographed by Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, directed by Francis Ford Kopolly and James Caan. Among other memorable posters, I can name Braveheart, Gladiator, Indiana Jones, Walt Disney cartoons, as well as Bondiana, the Harry Potter saga, posters from fights of world boxing star Muhammad Ali and matches of the great tennis player Roger Federer . All items are genuine, as evidenced by certificates and a lifetime warranty. And this is just the little that we brought, first finding ourselves in this part of the world.
How do you like Dubai, by the way?
Honestly, I did not even expect to see a similar modern metropolis. First impressions of the city and country are most favorable. The hospitality and openness of all the people living here who came to the Middle East from around the world amazes and captivates. I believe that our exhibition expects sincere interest of true collectors and fans of original works of art.
I would like to ask, but is there something in your collection related to Russian art? It seems to me that serious collectors from Russia and neighboring countries could like interesting compositions, especially since fairly strong Russian-speaking diasporas have formed in both Miami and Dubai?
Everything that is connected with Russia we have yet to explore and discover for ourselves, as well as for our regular customers, among which, you are right, there are many Russian-speaking collectors. We are interested in the history of the Romanov dynasty, and some legendary films of the Soviet era, and the development of astronautics, and much more. We are now working in this direction and are open to various offers. Write to us!
With pleasure. In the meantime, let me thank you for the conversation and wish success to your Billionaire Gallery exhibition at Harvey Nichols Dubai, which, beginning on October 3, will last until the beginning of December. See you again.
