Auction news for Chicago fire hydrant sculptures; Oprah's 'tent sale'

Those oversized, decorated fire hydrant sculptures are being auctioned to benefit first responders’ families.

After gracing our streets for the past couple months, those ubiquitous, oversized, decorated fire hydrant sculptures are going on the auction block — to raise funds to benefit the families of fallen firefighters and police officers. Auction queen Leslie Hindman and her team will be running the upcoming sale of the hydrants at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

The event kicks-off at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, with the actual bidding starting at 6:30.

For more information go to greatchicagofirehydrants.com/auction.

†No question about it, the recent California auction of Oprah Winfrey’s various collections was a big success — raising an estimated $600,000 to benefit her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. A number of items sold for much more than the original auction estimates, especially things Oprah personally autographed. While the pre-sale estimate on a Jetson electric bike was $1,000 to $2,000, it ultimately went for $6,300.

A Bottega Veneta steamer trunk — where the TV mogul once stored sweaters — sold for $10,200, far above the auction estimate of $1,000 to $2,000.