Coffee Tables, Aviary, Guitars, DJ Booth: Elon Musk Auctions Off Twitter Relics, Bids Start At $25
The impending auction emerges as part of Musk's strategic cost-cutting initiatives following his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter.
In the wake of the recent rebranding of Twitter as X, Elon Musk has set into motion an auction featuring an array of items hailing from the Twitter headquarters. With a total of 584 lots available for bidding, the assortment encompasses an eclectic range of artefacts, from coffee tables and oversized aviaries to canvases showcasing imagery that achieved viral fame.
Prominently listed among the items are dozens of desks and chairs, a fully-equipped DJ booth, and an extensive collection of musical instruments sufficient to outfit an entire band.
Musk's stewardship of the social media platform since its acquisition last year has seen a strategic reduction in workforce, aimed at streamlining operational expenses.
The auction, aptly dubbed "Twitter Rebranding: Online Auction Featuring Memorabilia, Art, Office Assets & More!", presents an opportunity for enthusiasts and collectors to obtain unique pieces that have borne witness to the company's evolution. Notably, one of the Twitter signs being auctioned remains affixed to the firm's headquarters on San Francisco's 10th Street.
The listing for this emblem specifies, "The avian symbol remains affixed to the edifice. Prospective buyers are entrusted with the responsibility of engaging a duly authorised San Francisco Licensed Company possessing the requisite permits."
In a recent episode, authorities in San Francisco temporarily halted an endeavour to dismantle a different Twitter sign, underscoring the significance of these artefacts.
Additionally, the auction catalogue features two oil paintings portraying images that achieved widespread popularity on the Twitter platform. One captures the star-studded selfie of Ellen DeGeneres at the 2014 Academy Awards, while the other immortalizes the momentous tweet shared by then-US President Barack Obama upon his re-election in November 2012—a tweet that gained the distinction of being the platform's most-liked post at that time.
The selection of offerings further extends to an array of musical equipment, encompassing guitars, drum kits, amplifiers, and a meticulously equipped DJ booth replete with controllers, mixers, and speaker systems.
Opening bids for each lot have been set at a minimum of $25, as seen on the Heritage Global Partners website, the auction house orchestrating the event.
Prospective bidders will have the opportunity to participate starting September 12th, with the auction slated to conclude two days thereafter.
The impending auction emerges as part of Musk's strategic cost-cutting initiatives following his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter.
Since assuming control of the platform, he has executed significant workforce reductions, including downsizing teams dedicated to monitoring abuse on the platform, alongside instituting alterations to the account verification process.
This auction spectacle follows an earlier occurrence where Twitter divested numerous items from its San Francisco headquarters. Of particular note, a statue embodying the iconic avian logo garnered substantial interest, fetching an impressive $100,000.
Last month, the company unveiled a novel brand identity, discarding the familiar blue bird emblem in favour of a stark black and white X.
When approached for comments, representatives from "X" were not immediately available to provide a statement in response to BBC's inquiries on Thursday.
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