History for Sale: FedCom Aficionado Selling Legendary Collection 05/03/3133
INN - Interstellar News Network
AGRAPUR--A limited-edition replica of the wedding dish held aloft by Prince Hanse
Davion upon his marriage to Archon-Designate Melissa Steiner; an original 3028 copy
of blueprints for the 65-ton Axeman; a framed, flat image of Yen Lo Wang,
autographed not by Kai Allard-Liao, but his father, Justin Xiang Allard. These are just
some of the more remarkable items found in Agrapur millionaire D. Anastasius
Rogers' collection, which he has recently decided to part with in a truly historical sale
to the newly renovated Towne Museum of History.
“It’s almost heartbreaking to part with all this stuff,” Rogers told INN in a rare
personal interview from his hilltop estate overlooking the Sea of Turan. “This
collection actually began with my great-great-grandfather, who served when the two
Houses formally united. He lived in those times, as did his son, and his son’s son,
watching as the alliance soured and fell. Everything in this collection covers some part
in that history.”
Why then, is Rogers selling this priceless memorabilia, with its combined value
assessed at well over two and a half million stones? Rogers himself says the act is his
gift to the rest of Towne--indeed, to the galaxy.
“Keeping it all in the family, especially when I have no heirs, would almost be a crime.
Entrusting it to the Towne Museum of History will still allow me to visit my
ancestor's legacy, as well as share the grandeur of those times with the rest of
humanity.”
Rogers said the deal between the museum and him is still in the works, and so he
could not disclose any figures or legal conditions, but did indicate that he has also
volunteered to fund any construction required to accommodate any of the items he
plans to sell. In a quick tour of his own private museum of FedCom mementos,
Rogers showed INN a collection that staggers the mind.
Holovid footage of the most politically charged Solaris VII duels of the era and
wartime films of the Fourth Succession War, the War of 3039, and even the final
blows of the FedCom Civil War review the key events in the Commonwealth’s 39-
year life.
Among the most disturbing pieces are gun-camera scenes of the brutal fighting on
Alyina during the Clan Invasion, and the outbreak of rioting on Solaris VII after the
infamous Searcy-Vandergriff match of 3062. Field and dress uniforms of the
Federated Suns and Commonwealth--before, during, and after the alliance—and
campaign ribbons commemorating battles on more than thirty worlds give a glimpse
of military life. Dominating this are three nine-square-meter dioramas, handmade by
Roger’s father decades ago, which depict major battles in the Commonwealth's
history--from the capture of Tikonov in the Fourth Succession War to the battle for
New Avalon that ended the Civil War. Rogers says, however, that the real crown
jewel in his collection was lost even before he was born.
“My grandfather had a vintage 3046 Enforcer, handed down from his own dad back
in the day,” Rogers told INN. “Of course, the family surrendered it to The Republic
almost 70 years back.”
Marcus Zillermann, manager of the Towne Museum of History, says he is grateful to
Rogers for his willingness to donate such a legendary collection.
“It’s the kind of collection that the people of Towne, and indeed the entire Inner
Sphere, can come to appreciate and enjoy,” said Zillermann. “There just aren't enough
words to express our gratitude for this gesture.”
Towne Log
+ I bet there’s not enough stones, either, huh? I wonder where the museum will come
up with the two to three mil that collection’s going for? :- RepMan
+ Shoot, RM. For all we know, Rogers threw in a few extra clauses, like visitation
rights, or maybe he’s throwing in that new wing to sweeten the deal so the museum
takes it off his hands. :- Funkit
+ I don’t know; this sounds fishy to me. The guy’s family’s been collecting for a
hundred years, and he decides on his own that he wants to sell it all? Can you say tax
write-off? :- RepMan
+ Have you never heard of a philanthropist before, RepMan? I mean, come on!
Rogers would still be worth millions with that fishing fleet he maintains out of
Agrapur. He doesn't need another few million badly enough to go through all this! :-
ROSmith
+ A philanthropist? One of those guys who goes to college to sit around all day and
ponder life, the universe, and everything? :- RepMan
+ Unless he’s in trouble, ROSmith, maybe. Who knows? Maybe he lost a big bet on
the latest Solaris Championship, and now has to fork over more than he’s really worth
to get by? :- Synnik
INN - Interstellar News Network
AGRAPUR--A limited-edition replica of the wedding dish held aloft by Prince Hanse
Davion upon his marriage to Archon-Designate Melissa Steiner; an original 3028 copy
of blueprints for the 65-ton Axeman; a framed, flat image of Yen Lo Wang,
autographed not by Kai Allard-Liao, but his father, Justin Xiang Allard. These are just
some of the more remarkable items found in Agrapur millionaire D. Anastasius
Rogers' collection, which he has recently decided to part with in a truly historical sale
to the newly renovated Towne Museum of History.
“It’s almost heartbreaking to part with all this stuff,” Rogers told INN in a rare
personal interview from his hilltop estate overlooking the Sea of Turan. “This
collection actually began with my great-great-grandfather, who served when the two
Houses formally united. He lived in those times, as did his son, and his son’s son,
watching as the alliance soured and fell. Everything in this collection covers some part
in that history.”
Why then, is Rogers selling this priceless memorabilia, with its combined value
assessed at well over two and a half million stones? Rogers himself says the act is his
gift to the rest of Towne--indeed, to the galaxy.
“Keeping it all in the family, especially when I have no heirs, would almost be a crime.
Entrusting it to the Towne Museum of History will still allow me to visit my
ancestor's legacy, as well as share the grandeur of those times with the rest of
humanity.”
Rogers said the deal between the museum and him is still in the works, and so he
could not disclose any figures or legal conditions, but did indicate that he has also
volunteered to fund any construction required to accommodate any of the items he
plans to sell. In a quick tour of his own private museum of FedCom mementos,
Rogers showed INN a collection that staggers the mind.
Holovid footage of the most politically charged Solaris VII duels of the era and
wartime films of the Fourth Succession War, the War of 3039, and even the final
blows of the FedCom Civil War review the key events in the Commonwealth’s 39-
year life.
Among the most disturbing pieces are gun-camera scenes of the brutal fighting on
Alyina during the Clan Invasion, and the outbreak of rioting on Solaris VII after the
infamous Searcy-Vandergriff match of 3062. Field and dress uniforms of the
Federated Suns and Commonwealth--before, during, and after the alliance—and
campaign ribbons commemorating battles on more than thirty worlds give a glimpse
of military life. Dominating this are three nine-square-meter dioramas, handmade by
Roger’s father decades ago, which depict major battles in the Commonwealth's
history--from the capture of Tikonov in the Fourth Succession War to the battle for
New Avalon that ended the Civil War. Rogers says, however, that the real crown
jewel in his collection was lost even before he was born.
“My grandfather had a vintage 3046 Enforcer, handed down from his own dad back
in the day,” Rogers told INN. “Of course, the family surrendered it to The Republic
almost 70 years back.”
Marcus Zillermann, manager of the Towne Museum of History, says he is grateful to
Rogers for his willingness to donate such a legendary collection.
“It’s the kind of collection that the people of Towne, and indeed the entire Inner
Sphere, can come to appreciate and enjoy,” said Zillermann. “There just aren't enough
words to express our gratitude for this gesture.”
Towne Log
+ I bet there’s not enough stones, either, huh? I wonder where the museum will come
up with the two to three mil that collection’s going for? :- RepMan
+ Shoot, RM. For all we know, Rogers threw in a few extra clauses, like visitation
rights, or maybe he’s throwing in that new wing to sweeten the deal so the museum
takes it off his hands. :- Funkit
+ I don’t know; this sounds fishy to me. The guy’s family’s been collecting for a
hundred years, and he decides on his own that he wants to sell it all? Can you say tax
write-off? :- RepMan
+ Have you never heard of a philanthropist before, RepMan? I mean, come on!
Rogers would still be worth millions with that fishing fleet he maintains out of
Agrapur. He doesn't need another few million badly enough to go through all this! :-
ROSmith
+ A philanthropist? One of those guys who goes to college to sit around all day and
ponder life, the universe, and everything? :- RepMan
+ Unless he’s in trouble, ROSmith, maybe. Who knows? Maybe he lost a big bet on
the latest Solaris Championship, and now has to fork over more than he’s really worth
to get by? :- Synnik
| May 3, 3133 |