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Anthony Bourdain’s Bob Kramer chef’s knife sold at auction for a whopping $231,250.
The knife, made especially for Bourdain by America’s foremost knife smith and friend of the chef, had a guide price of $4000 - $6000. The incredibly high price gained at auction is a testament to just how loved and respected Bourdain is.
The knife, which Bourdain originally paid $5000 for, filming an episode in Kramer’s forge, was sold among 202 lots of his personal possessions, all of which significantly exceeded their guide prices. The second-highest bid was Bourdain’s US Navy jacket, given to him to commemorate the evacuation of his No Reservations crew from Lebanon aboard the USS Nashville after war broke out there in 2006, going for $171,150.
Other items to go for high prices included Bourdain’s Michelin Man sculpture ($61,250.00), a Ralph Steadman illustration called Rats in the Kitchen ($52,500.00), a duck press ($35,000.00), and a signed script, given to him by the cast of The Simpsons ($ 18,750.00) after appearing in an episode in 2011.
In all Bourdain’s possessions went for $1.8 million, 40% of which will go towards the Anthony Bourdain Legacy Scholarship fund and the remainder will go to his family and daughter.
"I'm pleased to see that Tony's art, furnishings, watches, books, and collectables have found new homes with people who appreciate his sensibilities and that the sale of these items will allow future generations of CIA students to explore the world," said Bourdain's assistant and collaborator Laurie Woolever in a statement.
Unfortunately, the identity of the buyer remains a mystery. The hope had been that it would have been bought by a museum. At least with the knife fetching such a high price, it is evident that this collector’s piece will be much loved.
