With property at the upper reaches of the price range, celebrity provenance might increase interest but is unlikely to push up the hammer price.

FORBES: Slow Second Hand

Wine buyers, who pay the same percentage of the hammer price whatever the value of the sale, will see their commission go up to 22% in New York and Hong Kong and to 17% in London, Paris and Geneva.

FORBES: Christie's is Bullish on Buyers

Then drop the price in a few months and really bring the hammer down on Google, Amazon, and the rest of the tablet hopefuls.

FORBES: Apple Just Left A Gaping Price Hole Between iPad Mini And Rival Tablets