Auction set for portrait of Peter the Great

Auction set for portrait of Peter the Great

NEW YORK — A miniature portrait of Russia’s Peter the Great in a diamond-encrusted frame will be auctioned in New York City. Its importance was discovered only recently by the Arizona family that had owned it for decades. Experts believe as few as 10 of the portraits were bestowed by the czar on subjects who provided exceptional service. Until the latest discovery, only five were known to still exist, including three in museums.

Sotheby’s says the estate of the original owner, George Roberts, discovered its history when it was appraised this summer. Roberts purchased it in 1951 from a London dealer. The rare Russian treasure will be offered Monday. Its pre-sale estimate is $80,000 to $120,000.

Jay-Z will keep it clean during World Series

NEW YORK — The lyrics to Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” are sometimes as raw as New York, but it looks like the rapper will clean up that language when he performs his city anthem at the World Series. A source close to the rapper who requested anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak on the matter says Jay-Z won’t utter curses or other raw language included in his hit, which has been blasted by the New York Yankees during their playoff run.

Jay-Z and fellow New Yorker Alicia Keys were due to perform “Empire” before Game 1 between the Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. But because of rainy weather, their performance will now be today.

Today’s birthdays

Country singer Lee Clayton is 67. Guitarist Denny Laine (Wings, Moody Blues) is 65. Singer-actress Melba Moore is 64. Guitarist Peter Green (Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac) is 63. Actor Richard Dreyfuss is 62. Actress Kate Jackson is 61. Actor Dan Castellaneta (“The Simpsons”) is 52. Singer Randy Jackson of The Jacksons is 48. Drummer Peter Timmins of Cowboy Junkies is 44. Actress Joely Fisher (“Ellen”) is 42. Rapper Paris is 42. Singer S.A. Martinez of 311 is 40. Actress Winona Ryder is 38. Actor Trevor Lissauer (“Sabrina the Teenage Witch”) is 36. Actress Gabrielle Union is 36. Actor Brendan Fehr (“Roswell”) is 32.