Mink sat historical price record: 550,000 DKK for 50 skins

The international fur trade was witnessing a piece of history on the last auction day under the September auction at Kopenhagen Fur. Lot No. 111 256 with 50 mink skins was sold at a price of 11,000 DKK per skin, which is unparalleled in the fur industry's history. For comparison, last season the average price of mink skins was DKK 250.

The skins were offered in a special lot that had been given the name 'Erik Neergaard’s Last Lot', which marked sales director Erik Neergaard’s retirement after 44 years with the auction house. 62-year-old Erik Neergaard, who retires at the turn of the year, is a legend in the international fur trade.

- I am touched that customers want to remember me in this way and I am glad that the money goes to a good purpose, "says Erik Neergaard after his final and absolute most precious hammer stroke at auction house.

The total price of the 50 mink at DKK 550,000 will go to Kopenhagen Furs kindergarten project in Namibia in southwestern Africa. Kopenhagen Fur has close trade relations with the poor African country, as the country produces the very fine swakara skins, which Namibia sells through Kopenhagen Fur.

The buyer of world history's most expensive mink skins was Robert Lam from Happy Part Trading in Hong Kong. The 50 skins are just enough to make one coat.