Collectors

The original printed message from the first packet transmitted over the 'avian carrier' protocol described in RFC 1149 — the famous 1990 April Fools' RFC that defined IP over carrier pigeons — is being sold at Christie's in an auction of fine printed books and science manuscripts. It is a piece of internet folklore, and the playful commemoration of a satirical engineering joke is drawing interest from collectors and tech enthusiasts alike.

A feature rundown highlights eight motocross bikes from the 1970s that the author says changed the sport's history. The list covers the era when dirt bikes evolved rapidly and manufacturers reshaped off-road racing design. The piece is aimed at vintage motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors interested in the machines that defined the decade.

Suntory is bringing back its Hibiki 12-year-old blended whisky, releasing it as a travel retail exclusive. The bottling, long discontinued and sought after by collectors, will be available again for travellers in duty-free channels. Whisky fans and retail watchers see the move as a bid to capture demand in airports, where Japanese whisky continues to command strong interest and premium prices.

The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, is presenting an exhibition of around 150 antique works drawn from the collection of Aso Tavitian, a collector of classical sculpture and decorative arts. The display offers the public a rare look at Renaissance and Baroque pieces, including bronzes, sculpture and works of art, and marks a significant loan of private holdings to the regional museum.

Laguna Beach, California, is welcoming 30 renowned master painters for the 28th edition of its annual Plein Air Invitational, an event where artists paint outdoors in public view, letting spectators watch artworks take shape in real time. The paintings created during the event are typically showcased and sold, drawing collectors and art lovers to the coastal city.

Artist Sharon Cummings has completed an original painting titled 'The Clown', which is slated to appear in an exhibition in April 2027. The work is for sale, though delivery will only be possible after the exhibition concludes, as it is committed to the show. Prints of the piece are available for purchase immediately, giving buyers an option ahead of the original's availability. The announcement is drawing interest from art lovers and collectors following the artist's work.

Tickets are now on sale for the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, which returns to Charleston, South Carolina, February 12-14. The annual event draws wildlife art enthusiasts, collectors and visitors to the city each year, and the announcement of its return with dates confirmed is prompting locals and attendees to plan ahead and secure tickets early.