TORONTO - A centuries-old Chinese calligraphy album that was once part of the Chinese emperor's royal collection has fetched more than $1 million at an auction, many times its projected sale price.

Heffel Fine Art Auction House says the "extremely rare" ink on silk calligraphy album was created by Zhao Mengfu, who was a distinguished Chinese calligrapher and painter during the Yuan dynasty, which is the only Mongol-led Imperial dynasty of China from about 700 years ago.

The bidding price at Thursday's sale in Toronto started at $15,000 but soared to $900,000, and landed at $1,081,250 with the buyer's premium.

The auction house had estimated the 37-page album — adorned with silk brocade covering wooden frames — would sell for between $20,000 and $30,000.

April Yin, an Asian art speciali

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