This lot will be sold on Tuesday, 1st December (day 1 of the auction.) Lots 1-463 will be sold on day 1 (lots 464-913 will be sold on day 2). The auction will begin at 2:00 pm GMT. Lots are sold sequentially so there is no preset ending time. A live streaming broadcast of the auction will be available on auction days.
A functional hero cryptex and box from Ron Howard's thriller The Da Vinci Code. Essential to the film's plot, the cryptex required a five-letter code to reveal its contents: a papyrus message wrapped around a vial of vinegar. It was first discovered in a safety deposit box in the Depository Bank of Zurich by Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) and Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou). After secretly figuring out that the code was "APPLE" and removing the papyrus, Langdon threw the cryptex into the air, knowing its contents would appear destroyed by the broken vial when it hit the ground, thereby preventing Sir Leigh Teabing (Ian McKellen) from learning the message within.
The cryptex comprises an ornate brass frame with five twisting plastic dials finished in off-white paint and patterns resembling marble. Each dial displays the letters of the alphabet in black. When the word "APPLE" is lined up with the arrows on the device, its right end pops out revealing an inner tube, which shows the paper message wrapped around a clear vial containing a brown liquid.
The pentagonal box is made from rosewood, and is decorated with a removable wooden oval featuring a rose emblem, a metal clasp fastening, and faux-gold metal fleur-de-lis hinges. The reverse of the oval is made of brass and features the clue etched in mirrored writing, rendered in da Vinci's style.
Both items are presented in a larger rectangular wooden presentation box, finished in light-coloured staining, with the same rose emblem adorning the top of the lid. This box was made when the cryptex was gifted to a senior crew member at the end of the production. Minor signs of wear are present on the marble-like finish, some of the dials are easier to twist than others, and there is minor damage to some of the corners on the rosewood box. This lot is delicate and should be handled with care. Dimensions (cryptex): 5 cm x 14 cm x 5 cm (2" x 5 1/2" x 2"); (rosewood box): 7 cm x 16.5 cm x 6 cm (2 3/4" x 6 1/2" x 2 1/2"); (large box): 26 cm x 14 cm x 11 cm (10 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 4 1/4")
Contains mechanical components; see mechanical components notice in the Buyer's Guide.
All £ prices include sales tax (VAT) of 20.00% applicable to any purchases made by clients within the UK or NI, unless denoted by an "M" indicating it is sold under the margin scheme for collector's items; no VAT is due to except to clients within NI.
All $ prices are exclusive of VAT, although clients in some US States may be required to pay sales tax on their order following the Wayfair ruling; these will be calculated at checkout.
All € prices are exclusive of VAT.
The US States below may be required to pay sales tax on their order following the Wayfair ruling; these will be calculated at checkout.
California
New York
Utah
Washington
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Prices do not include shipping and handling or any local taxes and duties that may be applied by your local government.
This item is located in Los Angeles.
All prices displayed are exclusive of sales taxes, although the US States below may be required to pay sales tax on their order following the Wayfair ruling; these will be calculated at checkout.
Arizona
California
Illinois
Kansas
Michigan
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin
All conversions presented are approximate. You will be charged in US Dollars (USD$).
Prices do not include shipping and handling or any local taxes and duties that may be applied by your local government.
This item lives in our UK office.
All £ prices include sales tax (VAT) of 20.00% for clients within the UK or NI. An “M” indicates the item is sold under the margin scheme for collector’s items so no VAT is due, except to clients within NI. All € and $ prices are exclusive of VAT.
Due to the Wayfair Ruling, some US States may be required to pay sales tax. Conversions are approximate and you’ll be charged in UK Sterling (GBP£). Prices do not include shipping, handling or any local taxes. Duties may also be applied by your local government.
This item lives in our US office.
All prices are exclusive of sales taxes. Due to the Wayfair Ruling, some US States may be required to pay sales tax. If that’s the case, we’ll calculate the total at checkout. Conversions are approximate and you’ll be charged in US Dollars (USD$). Prices do not include shipping, handling or any local taxes. Duties may also be applied by your local government.
Incl. Buyer’s Premium
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