The first interplanetary collectible sells for $1,700 at auction

Los Angeles, CA. February 15, 1999 -- The value of Martian real estate went up considerably when an early edition of the "Planet Mars" collectible sold for $1700 at a Butterfields Natural History Auction in Los Angeles yesterday.

First unveiled in 1997, "Planet Mars -- The First Interplanetary Collectible" is quite literally the most unusual collectible on Earth. Planet Mars is a Lucite cube that is embedded with a vial that contains 1/10 carat of an authenticated sample of Mars. The cube that sold at auction yesterday, numbered 00004, is one of the very first interplanetary collectibles, and a new sales record for both the collectible--as well as for the value of what little Mars there is available in the public sector -- were achieved.

The Martian sample is from the Zagami Martian meteorite that fell on October 3, 1962 in Zagami, Nigeria. Scientists determined that Zagami is one of only two Martian meteorites to contain minute volumes of Martian atmosphere. The meteorite was most likely blasted into space when a huge asteroid slammed into the Martian surface approximately 3 million years ago.

Limited to 30,000 units, Planet Mars can still be obtained at http://www.theskyisfalling.com for $120.00, and comes accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and a 20-page Mars Owner's Manual.

See the online ordering information.

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