Strauss & co - 7 March 2011, Cape Town

205 For the first time in South Africa, Strauss & Co, South Africa’s leading fine art auction house is auctioning the naming rights of a delicate blue iris recently discovered on the west coast. All proceeds raised by the auction will support the WWF Table Mountain Fund’s Fynbos Campaign to protect and restore the natural wilderness of Table Mountain and the Cape, one of the most biologically rich yet threatened places on earth. In the past newly discovered species were named after royalty, patrons of science, and even the explorers themselves, such as the Queen Victoria crowned pigeon, Rothschild’s giraffe and Roosevelt’s elk. This auction gives the bidder the chance to immortalise their loved one (or themselves) by naming an entire species after him or her. The online auction is now open and will close in March 2011. The highest bidder wins the right to name this beautiful rare flower and will also receive the original botanical illustration of the iris. For further information or to bid online please visit www.straussart.co.za “Immortalise your loved one by naming an entire species after him or her, and support the conservation of South Africa’s unique natural heritage,” StephanWelz, Managing Director, Strauss & Co Immortalise your loved one Amy Goldblatt WWF Table Mountain Fund +27 21 762 8525 agoldblatt@wwf.org.za Enquiries: Bina Genovese Strauss & Co +27 21 683 6560 bina@straussart.co.za