DALLAS, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Neiman Marcus, the famed specialty retailer remains true to its 97-year tradition of offering and delivering spectacular -- and unique -- holiday gifts as it unveils the 2004 Christmas Book today in Dallas.

The 78th annual Neiman Marcus Christmas Book features an extraordinary array of fantasy gifts that encompasses land, air and sea. Among the highlights are a "His and Her" bowling center, a 230-foot-long Zeppelin, a custom suit of armor, and an underwater aviator, hailed as an "underwater jet." The feature car is the Neiman Marcus Limited Edition 2005 Maserati Quattroporte.

First published in 1926 as a 16-page catalog, the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book was originally intended as a Christmas card to its best customers. Throughout its history and in its present form, the book has evolved into a wish list of alluring and imaginative gifts.

"For our customers, the arrival of The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book marks the official start of the holiday season," said Brendan Hoffman, President and CEO of Neiman Marcus Direct. "This year's gift assortment is more innovative and luxurious than ever before and is available in its entirety online at http://www.neimanmarcus.com ."

Included among the assortment of items in this year's Christmas Book are some extraordinary gifts. They are:

HIS AND HERS BOWLING CENTER

This year's Neiman Marcus His & Hers gift is all about sharing good times. This 5,000-square-foot, four-lane state-of-the-art bowling and entertainment center by the Amend Group includes: all the bowling equipment, four regulation lanes, self-diagnostic pin setting systems, automated large screen video scoring monitors, movable seating banquettes, His and Hers bowling shoes (each in sizes 1-16), 36 regulation balls in a variety of weights and colors, two styles of pins and plenty of extras, even electronic bumper guards. The computerized multimedia system includes two large-screen plasma TVs, an integrated stereo sound system, and a karaoke machine. Our exclusive package includes lessons from professional bowlers, training for the systems, neon lighting, custom graphics over the lanes and personalized bowling shirts. (Beginning at $1,450,000.00, pages 26-27.)

NM(R) LIMITED-EDITION 2005 MASERATI QUATTROPORTE

Neiman Marcus is proud to introduce the NM(R) limited-edition 2005 Maserati Quattroporte styled by legendary automobile designer Pininfarina. Only 1,500 will be imported in 2005, and Neiman Marcus is offering 60 of the NM(R) sedans. The Quattroporte's 4.2-liter 400-HP V8 engine can take you from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 170 mph. It's the only luxury sedan in its class to place the engine behind the front axle, a race-proven technique that provides superior harmony between car and driver. Each NM(R) 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 telephone information line for this item goes live on October 14, 2004, at noon EDT, 1-800-461-9468.) ($125,000.00, page 55.)

CUSTOM SUIT OF ARMOR

Need a knight in shining armor? Neiman Marcus has 20 exquisitely crafted and historically accurate suits of armor 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 armor straight from the 15th century. The armor 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 armorer. 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. ($20,000.00, page 15.)

ZEPPELIN

A famous first of German ingenuity when it was launched in 1900, the iconic mode of transportation from the genius of Count Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin has achieved another milestone. We are offering the opportunity to be the first to privately own a modern Zeppelin NT. Re-engineered with the best new technology, your 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. ($10,000,000.00, page 16.)

GRAND OLE OPRY EXPERIENCE

Now, for the first time ever, you can join country music royalty on stage during a live Opry broadcast. Along with sitting in with the band live on the show, our exclusive package includes a music lesson with an Opry band member, a pre-show gourmet dinner for two in your dressing room, a gig co-hosting the Opry warm-up show live on 650 AM WSM and luxury accommodations for two at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. Manuel, the legendary creator of cowboy couture for Elvis and countless other music legends, will design and create matching his and hers jackets for you. For another priceless memento, an array of Opry performers will autograph a Takamine acoustic guitar. ($25,000.00, page 79.)

NM(R) EXCLUSIVE LAS VEGAS TRIKE

Our exclusive three-wheeler for adults packs the punch of a muscle car and has the open-air ease of a motorcycle. The NM(R) Exclusive Las Vegas Trike features a 330-horsepower V8 Chevy engine, turbo 350 automatic transmission and two bucket racing seats resting on a custom 15-foot steel chassis that's 100% street legal. With a low center of gravity, it rides as smoothly as a car and is remarkably easy to handle. Our exclusive package includes your pick of one of eight special prismatic metallic paint finishes that change color, a custom-polished transmission, a chromed drive line and special neon lighting. Creature comforts include heated seats with lumbar support, a rockin' stereo system with earphone jacks built into the headrests, and your NM(R) limited-edition number engraved on your marvelous machine. ($65,000.00, page 86.)

UNDERWATER AVIATOR

Blowing conventional submarine technology out of the water, the Deep Flight Aviator sets a new standard for underwater exploration. Strap yourself into one of the two cockpits with the racing seat harness, and you can use the joystick controls to bank, roll, dive and maneuver it the same way you would fly a plane. It can dive to 1,500 feet and achieve speeds of up to eight knots. Crafted with the highest safety standards, zero pollution and minimal noise, it can be launched from yachts or boat ramps. At 22 feet long, it weighs in at a light and lean 3,800 pounds. Both cockpits have a full set of controls so you can take turns driving, flying, exploring and enjoying the 180-degree views. Our exclusive package includes lessons at the Deep Flight Submersibles underwater flight school leading to certification as a licensed sub aviator pilot. ($1,700,000.00, page 87.)

LIFETIME AAIRPASS(R) MEMBERSHIP

This fantasy gift is a jet-setter's dream come true. Neiman Marcus offers its customers an exclusive, worldwide lifetime AAirpass membership. The rules are wonderfully simple: each AAirpass membership allows the lucky traveler to book seating in any available cabin, with VIP privileges on any open seat for American Airlines' 4,200 daily flights to 250 cities in more than 40 countries around the globe for the rest of his or her life. The AAirpass membership also offers the relaxing privacy of access to the 42 American Airlines Admirals Club(R) lounges around the world. Limited quantities of these exclusive memberships are available. (One Lifetime AAirpass membership, $3,000,000.00; Two Lifetime AAirpass memberships, $5,000,000.00, page, 114.)

HAUTE COUTURE VALENTINO GOWN

For the epitome of couture, we need to speak just a single name: Valentino. For the fashion conscious, Neiman Marcus offers an exclusive one- of-a-kind fantasy experience by legendary Italian designer Valentino. Valentino and his team spent 350 hours exquisitely handcrafting a heavenly gown for one lucky lady. The draped brown silk chiffon bodice features a feminine off-the-shoulder neckline and flowing long back tie. Metallic paillettes subtly change colors from silver-beige to chestnut brown on the lush tiered skirt. The package includes round-trip premium class airfares for two to Paris and the location of the final fitting, accommodations at the Ritz Paris, private car service, VIP access to the Valentino show, a private tour and a champagne toast with Valentino. ($325,000.00, page 115.)

JEWELED MR. AND MRS. POTATO HEAD(R)

For 53 years, he's been a spokes-potato for children of all ages. Now the high-carb charmer and his Mrs. are moving on up with a little help from Jay Strongwater. Presenting our exclusive, limited-edition Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, hand encrusted with sparkling Swarovski(R) crystals and signed by Jay Strongwater. All of the accessories have gotten the crystal treatment, too, from her sensible handbag down to his jaunty jug ears. It took more than 80 hours to cover Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head with more than 50,000 Swarovski(R) crystals in 17 different colors. Each stands 8.5"H x 8"W x 5"D and arrives in a gift box. Hand jeweled by Jay Strongwater(R) in the USA. ($8,000 each, p. 131.)

PINK SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND JEWELRY

It took two years to assemble this extremely rare collection of matching oval pink sapphires, which have been paired with oval matched diamonds and crafted into a jewelry suite that is exclusively ours and will surely take her breath away. Let's start with the necklace: 11 pink sapphires accompanied by 143 matched diamonds. The drop earrings feature four pink sapphires with 34 oval diamonds. The bracelet contains 10 oval pink sapphires accented by 90 oval diamonds. This totals 124.11 carats of pure pink sapphire heaven and 85.47 carats of matched diamonds for good measure. All settings are platinum and 18-kt. yellow gold. ($2,500,000.00, page 111.)

In keeping with its longstanding tradition and dedication to philanthropy, this holiday season, Neiman Marcus has chosen Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancers as this year's featured charity. A portion of the proceeds of certain items in the Christmas Book will go to this organization, which helps survivors and their families receive the support, and resources they need and to spread the much-needed word on early detection and prevention. Every year, 60,000 people face the life-threatening and disfiguring effects of cancers of the oral cavity, head and neck. Often overlooked, these types of cancers are physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming. More information can be found at http://www.spohnc.org .

The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book will be distributed to 2 million homes in the United States and around the globe. Subscriptions to the 2004 Christmas Book may be ordered for $15 by calling 1-800-NEIMANS. All of the extraordinary holiday selections in this year's Christmas Book are showcased online on the Neiman Marcus website http://www.neimanmarcus.com .

SOURCE Neiman Marcus

CONTACT: Kellie Patrick of Neiman Marcus Direct, +1-972-969-3210; or Liane Ramirez or Tanya Lopez, both of Goodman Media International, +1-212-576-2700, for Neiman Marcus