July 2017 Auction Report
Welcome back…
The number of advertised specialty auctions has dropped precipitously for the end of July through August. Most of what I’m seeing are estate auctions, which can offer some great buys, but aren’t focused on a particular type of collectible. Buried within the estate auctions I’ve found a handful of great items. Coming up in the next month are Bentley automobiles, jewelry, sports collectibles, antique carriages and horse-drawn wagons, World’s Fair collectibles, and country store lots including signs, bottles, and tobacciana. Lots are offered live and/or online and some venues encourage absentee and phone bidding. There’s always a way to bid! Let’s jump right in…
Sad ending for Accused Felon
Our American justice system asserts that one is innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, fear and personal remorse sometimes lead to suicide before a trial can be held. In December 2016, 58-year-old Rick Siskey of Charlotte, NC took his own life. Apparently four bankruptcies and pending FBI fraud charges pushed the investor over the edge. Wife Diane Siskey, who has not been charged, is cooperating with the bankruptcy trustee and the estate administrator to meet the demands of creditors. Proceeds from the sale of estate assets will go to settle bankruptcy claims.
The estate’s personal property assets are considerable. Hundreds of items including Bentley automobiles, a Michael Jordan basketball jersey, and copious amounts of jewelry including a five-carat diamond ring will be offered at auction.
The live auction will be executed by the Iron Horse Auction Company in conjunction with Leland Little Auctions on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 11:00am EST. The event will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center, Room 213, 501 South College Street, Charlotte NC, 28202; lots may be previewed at the Siskey residence, 3545 Sharon Road, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211 on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm; Wednesday, July 19, 2017, from Noon to 7:00pm; and the day of the auction from 8:00am to 10:00am.
All items are offered without reserve. Online, phone, and absentee bidding are available. For registration and terms click here.
Recalling the Genteel Farm Life
Just as one’s 21st-Century social status is confirmed by owning a Bentley, Rolls-Royce, or Ferrari, 19th-Century status was confirmed by owning a fancy carriage. Nearly two dozen carriages and wagons will be auctioned live and on-site on Monday, July 24, 2017, at the estate sale of Adolph & Esther Ruefer, 3123 N Pecatonica Rd, Pecatonica, Illinois 61063. The auction will be executed by W. Yoder Auction of Pecatonica.
Also offered will be a variety of saddles and tack; horse-drawn farm equipment; primitives and furniture; and modern farm equipment including trucks, tractors, trailers, and equipment.
Of special interest is a brass & copper horse-drawn hearse (shown above) featuring spectacular lamps; plus a variety of miscellaneous carriage lamps, strings of brass horse bells and shaft bells, some never used.
For terms, directions, and catalog click here.
It Happened at the World’s Fair
Since the first World’s Fair opened in Prague in 1791, industrialized nations have gathered together to show off their technology. In the past 200+ years, there have been several hundred World’s Fairs presented around the globe. These events have hosted millions of visitors with one thing in common: they all went home with a souvenir. Posters, china, tokens, coin banks, books, programs, menus, and anything else with a Fair logo was deemed an appropriate collectible.
On July 29 in Willoughby, Ohio, Milestone Auctions will offer a large collection of rare and unique World’s Fair and Exposition items. Lots include memorabilia from the 1876 Centennial, 1893 Columbian Expo, 1901 Pan-American Expo, 1903 Louisiana Purchase, Expo 1904 St Louis World’s Fair, 1905 Lewis & Clark Expo, 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo, 1909 Hudson-Fulton Expo, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific Expo. Especially sought after by collectors are items from the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair and the 1939 New York World’s Fair which will also be offered at this event.
The auction starts at 10:00 AM on July 20, 2017; preview starts at 8:00. The event will be held at the Milestone Auction Gallery, 3860 Ben Hur Avenue, Willoughby, Ohio, 44094. Concurrent online bidding is also offered through the auctioneer’s website, as well as liveauctioneers.com, proxibid.com, and invaluable.com.
For more information call the auction house at 440-527-8060 or visit the auctioneer’s website.
Wheeling, Dealing, and Bidding
If you live within driving distance of Mebane, North Carolina (near High Point), here’s an auction event you won’t want to miss: the 25th Annual Carolina Country Store Auction. There will be three days of activity, including:
- Over 3,000 lots
- Bottle auction on Thursday August 3
- Tobacciana auction on Friday August 4
- Featured catalog session on Saturday August 5 to include pressed steel toys, pedal cars, store fixtures and advertising from Patterson’s Mill Museum Chapel Hill NC
- Parking lot trading from sunrise to 9:45 AM each day (for registered bidders only; sales tax numbers must be on file to participate).
The auction will begin at 10:00 AM each day. Drinks and snacks will be available, but you are welcome to bring a cooler or lunchbox. There are restaurants within walking distance, and hotel accommodations nearby.
The auction preview will begin Monday July 31st and continue through Wednesday August 2nd; preview times are 9:00 AM till 9:00 PM. Preview on auction days will begin at 8:00 AM. Registration, seat reservations, and absentee/phone bidding are available. For more information, click here.
That’s all for now…
There are some great items listed above, and most can be accessed from the convenience of your home. Don’t miss out! Check out the listings and find that rare item you’ve been looking for! Until next month, bid often!
Wayne Jordan is a Virginia-licensed auctioneer, Certified Personal Property Appraiser and Accredited Business Broker. He has held the professional designations of Certified Estate Specialist; Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate; Certified Auction Specialist, Residential Real Estate and Accredited Business Broker. He also has held state licenses in Real Estate and Insurance. Wayne is a regular columnist for Antique Trader Magazine, a WorthPoint Worthologist (appraiser) and the author of two books. For more info, visit Wayne Jordan Auctions or Resale Retailing with Wayne Jordan.
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Photo attributions
Siskey Bentley: https://www.lelandlittle.com/l/2014-bentley-continental-gt-speed-convertible/auction/555/lot/36/
Carriage (hearse) Yoder Auctions http://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/2924646/fp3.cgi
Chicago World’s Fair button http://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/2943413/fp64.cgi
Pedal car, country store auction http://www.mebaneauction.com/25th-annual-carolina-country-store-auction-8-5-2017-photos/nggallery/page/2