What: Christie’s “Out of the Ordinary” Auction on September 14, 2016, in London, South Kensington

Why: The auction commemorates 250 years of Christie’s and, as the name suggests, is a celebration of the unusual, the unique, the extraordinary and the exceptional. The sale comprises over 90 lots selected for the intriguing stories they tell, and includes a selection of memorabilia from the collection of David Gainsborough Roberts. The highlights of the auction include:

-          An R.M.S Titanic (1912), a continuous certificate of discharge book. Numbered ‘No. 667886,’ belonging to Miss Mabel Elvina Martin, 2nd Cashier of the Titanic, issued to her at Southampton April 10, 1912, and showing her ‘date and place of discharge.’ 6 ½ in (16.5 cm) high; 4 ½ in (11.5 cm) wide (Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000/$2,606 - $3,909)

-          A 2012 Paralympics London, an aluminum relay torch. With an official certificate presented to Mark Jackson, and protective soft case; together with an official Paralympics uniform.  The torch is 31 ½ in (80 cm) high. (Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500/$1,303 - $1,954)

-          A violin owned by Charlie Chaplin and probably played in the movie “Vagabond.” The interior has a handwritten label inscribed ‘To My Dear Friend Charlie Chaplin / (Who by much suffering attained to great wisdom and feeling) from your admirer Cecil. E. Reynolds. Los Angeles. 7 Fby. 1917’ (Estimate £70,000 - £100,000/$91,210 - $130,300)

-          A stunning Leica Camera Family Tree, A history of the Leica camera comprising 107 of the principal models, showing the history of the marque from preproduction models, the screw-fit Leica series, M-series, R-series, to digital models, from 1914 to 2014. (Estimate: £350,000 - £450,000/$456,050 - $586,350)

-          A mechanical corkscrew and wine pouring machine made and designed by Robb Higgs in 2006. Constructed from around 300 pieces of scrap iron, including a drill, spanners, cannon balls, lathe handle, clock springs, weights, cogs, wheels, and chain, all then cast and machined in bronze. The corkscrew is 56 in (142 cm) high; the case 40 ¼ in (102 cm) high, 70 in (178 cm) long, 28 ¾ in (73 cm) deep. (Estimate £15,000 - £25,000/$19,545 - $32,575)