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WORLD MARKETPLACE NEWS with Managing Editor Judy Gonyeau

WYOMING TRIBUNE EAGLE LONDON – A unique piece of philatelic history—a Mulready
– Five people have been arrested letter-sheet combined with a Penny Black stamp—contains the
in connection with an investiga- first-ever methods of prepayment for post, introduced in May 1840.
tion that spanned three states and Providing a glimpse into the early days of modern communication, the
involved the burglary of three rare object will be offered on
Cheyenne, WY homes that housed February 2 at Sotheby’s. Carrying
rare coins, police memorabilia and an estimate between $1,500,000-
firearms owned by a former coin $2,500,000, it is one of the most
store operator (Rick Walsh). valuable philatelic items ever
Michael Townsend, Kenneth Cain, Desiree Pantoja, Townsend’s offered at auction. This pre-paid
girlfriend Bailee Martinez, and Timothy Duke were arrested over a envelope, the earliest known in
period of a few weeks for stealing coins, antiques, guns, and silver and existence, was successfully sent,
gold coins from Walsh’s properties. Conflicting statements from one firstly stamped with a Penny
burglar to another led the Cheyenne Police Department across three Black on May 2, then ingeniously
states discovering the network of thefts along with the channels used to repurposed, turned inside out, and remailed as a Mulready on May
sell the stolen property. Luckily, Walsh had a unique labeling system 4, the letter covered a combined journey of over 400 miles, all before
for some of his coins and memorabilia, allowing detectives to verify the official start date for the stamp on May 6.
that the coins belonged to him. Everything from money stuffed in a
sofa to hidden stashes within a fake trailer hitch were part of this case.
NEW YORK CITY – An Upper West Side congregation that sought
to tear down its church building, a Manhattan landmark, and sell
SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL – LeBron James, after a two- the property to a developer—to the
decade stint with Upper Deck, has signed an exclusive multiyear consternation of some neighbors,
deal with Fanatics’ trading card and collectables division. Although including a growing list of celebri-
terms were not disclosed, the collaboration will include a one-of-one ties—has put the plans on hold. The
card from the 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome Basketball set building was designated a landmark in
featuring James and his oldest 2010. To demolish it, the church
son Bronny. On the dual-auto- needed permission from the city’s
graphed card, James will be Landmarks Preservation Commis-
pictured wearing his high sion, which members sought in 2022.
school uniform from St. The request prompted an upwelling
Vincent-St. Mary’s in Akron, of support for the building’s preser-
Ohio, while his son will be vation from supporters, including elected officials, as well as actors
shown in his current USC uni- Matt Damon and Mark Ruffalo. In a letter sent to the commission,
form. The full Bowman Univ. lawyers for the church said it was withdrawing its application until it
Chrome Basketball set was resolves its lawsuit against a tenant about a lease dispute. The church
released on Jan. 19, and women’s college All-Americans Caitlin had also become a flashpoint in the debate over the future of New
Clark and Paige Bueckers are included in the 100-player card pack- York City’s houses of worship and its housing crisis. Churches are
age. In addition, Fanatics is launching a short film narrated by James increasingly turning to private development in the face of declining
titled Origin of Greatness, detailing his journey to the pros and focus- membership, and many in favor of building new housing see their
ing on other Fanatics clients, as well. Click here to take a look. properties as prime places to put more homes.

TORRENCE, CA – A quirky working vintage Piper PA-15/17 2- TIKTOCK – The TikTok world of Tanner Leatherstein (whose real
seater airplane that had been worked on for the past decade by its name is Volkan Yilmaz) has more than 950,000 followers—and
owner Anis Pradhan was stolen in a moment along with its custom more on YouTube and Instagram—who watch his butchering of
Airstream trailer where it was stored. The 1940s-era plane weighs over exorbitantly expensive collectible luxury items. One video opens
1,000 pounds. The wings fold up, enabling it to be portable within its with a large white leather LV handbag when a hand with a switch-
own storage trailer. “This aircraft was going to Nepal,” Pradhan blade swoops in and slashes a huge gash in the side of the bag before
explained. “I work with this tearing it apart at its seams. In another, scissors snip through a $2,200
nonprofit organization (National Prada clutch before a man sets fire
Innovation Center) in Nepal and to a piece of the leather and turns it
we were going to use it to teach to ash. The reason, Yilmaz says, is to
underprivileged kids and show his viewers the true quality of
whoever wanted to learn about the materials and craftsmanship, then
aviation in that part of the break down how much the item may
world.” He’s hoping someone have cost to make. His first cutting
will recognize the large, oversized silver Airstream trailer and track experiment “was a Louis Vuitton
down the thief who stole it. The stolen airplane’s tail number is N4549H. briefcase. Louis Vuitton is one of the
Anyone who may have spotted the plane or has information on this most famous leather brands in the
case is asked to call LAPD’s Harbor Division at 310-726-7700. world, but many people don’t know that the iconic LV monogram
material is actually canvas.” Yilmaz suggests looking at the leather
before buying. “Trust your senses. Feel it. If it feels plasticky, that’s
HOLLYWOOD, CA – Hot Toys is releas- not a good sign.” Leather? “Smell it. There isn’t only one leather
ing a new DeLorean Time Machine col- smell, but there is a pleasant, slightly earthy aroma to quality
lectible based on its appearance in Back to the leather. It should not smell like chemicals. Look at it. Leather has
Future Part III. This collectible will not be variations to its grain and fiber structure. The more variations you see
shipping until the future is here – 2025. in the fabric, the more natural and untreated it is.”

6 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles