The Mel & Deo Fisher Collection Undersea Treasure

Auction Details

• Auction:
  August 5, 7PM


• Public Preview:
  August 4, 10AM - 7PM
  August 5, 10AM - 5PM


• Location:
  Arader Galleries
  1016 Madison Avenue
  New York, NY 10021


• Online Bidding:
  www.liveauctioneers.com
  www.invaluable.com
  
  
• Absentee Bidding:
  By e-mail, mail and telephone


• Catalogue:
  $28 by Priority Mail in the U.S
  $48 by International Priority Mail

American treasure hunter Mel Fisher discovered the sunken treasure of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, the most famous member of a fleet of Spanish ships that sank in 1622 after sailing into a violent hurricane. To mark the thirty-year anniversary of this astonishing discovery, on August 5 New York City-based auction house Guernsey’s will auction off select items from Fisher’s esteemed Collection. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Michael Abt, Jr. Have a Heart Foundation, which works to provide Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) to schools nationwide.

American treasure hunter Mel Fisher discovered the sunken treasure of the Nuestra Señora de Atocha, the most famous member of a fleet of Spanish ships that sank in 1622 after sailing into a violent hurricane. To mark the thirty-year anniversary of this astonishing discovery, on August 5 New York City-based auction house Guernsey’s will auction off select items from Fisher’s esteemed Collection. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Michael Abt, Jr. Have a Heart Foundation, which works to provide Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) to schools nationwide.

Fisher’s daily mantra, "Today's the Day!", kept his spirits alive throughout this lengthy and costly expedition. On July 20, 1985 his perseverance paid off: over 40 tons of silver and gold were located at the site of the wreck off the Marquesas Keys. Including more than 100,000 Spanish silver coins known as "pieces of eight," gold coins, the finest Colombian emeralds, silver and gold artifacts, and over 1,000 silver bars, the Atocha contained riches vast enough to replenish the nearly depleted treasury of the Spanish Crown.

To mark the 30th anniversary of Fisher’s landmark discovery, Guernsey’s will hold an auction of nearly 40 treasured items retrieved from the Atocha, as well as other extraordinary wrecks discovered by Mel Fisher and his team. Guernsey’s will also be offering approximately 100 rare and sought-after silver coins from the Atocha and her sister ship, the Santa Margarita.

A portion of the proceeds from this Auction will go to benefit the Michael Abt, Jr. Have a Heart Foundation, which works to provide Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) to schools nationwide. Michael was a bright, active, and popular young 12 year-old boy who collapsed during his weekly gym class. The cause was Sudden Cardiac Arrest; and despite the efforts of numerous coaches, teachers, and school officials who tried to administer CPR, no AED was present – an instrument which could have saved Michael’s life. The Have a Heart Foundation continues to raise money to purchase AEDs and professional training for school staff throughout the United States in Michael Abt, Jr.’s name.

Immediately preceding the sale of items from the Fisher family’s revered Collection will be 65 lots offered by the Arader Gallery. Beginning at 5:30pm, these pieces highlight the history of Caribbean pirates and their treasure. Amongst the items offered will be historic maps and views, paintings and watercolors, parrot engravings by Jacques Barraband, plus rare books and atlases.

A beautiful collectors’ catalogue showcases the many items with detailed photographs and descriptions. It will be available for $20 in person; $28 shipped domestically or $48 shipped internationally. To order the catalogue, click here: Catalogue Order Form

Those who are interested in participating can view the full catalogue online, and leave advance absentee bids, as well as bid live as the sale is taking place at www.liveauctioneers.com or www.invaluable.com.

A beautifully designed catalogue will be available in an extremely limited edition. Click here to order now your Mel & Deo Fisher copy.

Interested bidders should also review the Terms & Conditions, as well as the Bidder Agreement form, and the Absentee Bid form.

Guernsey's welcomes inquiries from the media regarding both past and upcoming events. A PDF copy of the press release and links to media coverage of The Mel & Deo Fisher Collection are available below:

• Press Release (August 5)