2004 Neiman Marcus Annual Christmas Book - outrageous toys

In keeping with tradition, the 2004 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book features a stunning array of fantasy gifts with stellar price tags, this year including such gems as a Zeppelin, a Custom Suit of Armour, an Underwater Aviator , a limited-edition Maserati Quattroporte, a haute couture Valentino gown, and an opportunity to join country music royalty on stage during a live Opry broadcast.

Neiman Marcus, the famed specialty retailer, has a 97-year tradition of offering and delivering spectacular and unique holiday gifts. Included among the assortment of items in this year's Christmas Book are some extraordinary gifts, such as:

LIMITED-EDITION 2005 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE

A limited-edition (60 only) 2005 Maserati Quattroporte styled by legendary automobile designer Pininfarina. The Quattroporte's 4.2-liter 400-HP V8 engine offers a top speed of 170 mph. Each NM Quattroporte features a new Bordeaux Pontivecchio metallic paint finish, unique chromed mesh-front grill and side vents and 19" polished wheels. Inside, the custom handcrafted interior features luxurious ivory Poltrona Frau leather with bordeaux piping and mahogany wood accents. The price: US$125,000

CUSTOM SUIT OF ARMOUR

Neiman Marcus has 20 exquisitely crafted and historically accurate suits of armour available for custom order. For a perfect fit, an artisan will gather measurements and a lower leg casting of the lucky recipient, then handcraft and fit a brand new suit of armour straight from the 15th century. The armour will be hand-hammered from steel and polished to a mirror finish. Each suit is fully functional with all interworking pieces from the sallet and bevor (helmet and neck piece) down to the greaves and sabatons (shin and foot pieces). Each masterpiece will be numbered and stamped with the seal of your personal armourer. A suit can certainly be custom crafted for the lady of the manor, too. Each suit also includes two sword fighting lessons, a steel display stand, and a custom- fitted arming doublet undergarment of padded linen. The price: US$20,000

ZEPPELIN

Written up in Gizmo only recently, the Zeppelin NT is a modern version of the German Zeppelin first launched in 1900 by Count Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin. Neiman Marcus is offering the opportunity to be the first to privately own a modern Zeppelin NT. Re-engineered with the best new technology, the Zeppelin is the first modern airship licensed to carry commercial passengers. It floats with safe, nonflammable helium contained in an inner envelope of high-strength multilayered material. The roomy cabin features panoramic window views of the clouds above and sights below and can comfortably accommodate 12 passengers, a pilot and a flight attendant. It can achieve 70 knots and has a flight duration of up to 24 hours. This eight-ton sky gem is approximately 230 feet long, 60 feet wide and 53 feet tall. The price: US $10,000,000

GRAND OLE OPRY EXPERIENCE

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