Tech magnate Elon Musk, known for his ventures ranging from electric cars to space travel, is hosting an unconventional auction featuring an array of items from Twitter’s legacy as the company transitions into the new identity of “X.” The collection comprises 584 distinct lots, including diverse pieces such as coffee tables, oversized bird enclosures, and captivating oil paintings of viral moments.
Within this eclectic assortment, prospective buyers can find an assortment of desks, chairs, and an impressive DJ booth, accompanied by an array of musical instruments capable of outfitting an entire band. Since his acquisition of the social media platform last year, Musk has taken decisive steps to streamline operations, culminating in significant workforce reductions aimed at cost reduction.
The event is being hailed as the “Twitter Rebranding: Online Auction Featuring Memorabilia, Art, Office Assets & More!” Among the remarkable items up for grabs is an authentic Twitter sign that still adorns the company’s San Francisco headquarters on 10th Street. Notably, the sign bearing the iconic bird motif remains affixed to the building’s side, with the buyer being responsible for arranging professional removal.
Included in the auction are two oil paintings, each capturing a pivotal moment from Twitter’s past. One painting commemorates Ellen Degeneres’ star-studded selfie from the 2014 Academy Awards, while the other portrays the tweet shared by then-US President Barack Obama upon his reelection in 2012—a tweet that garnered the platform’s highest ever number of likes at the time.
The captivating auction further showcases an ensemble of musical instruments encompassing guitars, drum kits, amplifiers, and an entire DJ setup complete with controllers, mixers, and speakers. The starting bid for each item is set at $25 (£19.70), as established by the auction house Heritage Global Partners. The bidding process will commence on September 12th and conclude two days thereafter.
This spirited auction arrives as Elon Musk orchestrates measures to optimize Twitter’s financial health subsequent to his remarkable $44 billion acquisition of the company. The entrepreneurial visionary has overseen a substantial workforce downsizing, which included the departure of employees dedicated to monitoring and curbing abusive content on the platform. Moreover, Musk has been instrumental in reshaping Twitter’s account verification policies.
Earlier this year, Twitter orchestrated a similar auction, facilitating the sale of numerous artifacts from its San Francisco headquarters. Notably, the auction’s highlight was a statue representing the iconic Twitter bird logo, which fetched a staggering $100,000 in bids. The auction also coincides with Twitter’s recent shift away from its recognizable blue bird logo, having replaced it with a sleek black and white “X” emblem.
