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Auction Report August 2017

blackwell auction day 1
The “Cricketmobile” to be auctioned on Friday August 18 and Saturday August 19 at 11AM, by Mid-Hudson Auction Galleries of New Windsor, New York. This fully restored 1955 Pontiac Chieftain was bought for Buddy Holly and The Crickets when they were teenagers.

Welcome back…

Auction season is in full swing! Estate sales are abundant; even small-town newspapers are replete with auction listings. I’ve browsed hundreds of listings to find some special items that WorthPoint readers may find interesting. In this month’s column, movie fans will be pleased to discover that a unique, private collection of Hollywood memorabilia is crossing the block; fisherman will be presented with a rare opportunity to bid on a wide range of tackle at a business liquidation sale; “wannabe” Houdinis can explore and bid for items belonging to a fine magician’s personal collection; and an exceptional group of Mid-Century Modern furniture, furnishings, and art may be considered. Lots are offered live and/or online and some venues encourage absentee and phone bidding. There’s always a way to bid! Let’s have a look, shall we?

Movie and Sports Memorabilia

On Friday August 18 and Saturday August 19 at 11AM, Mid-Hudson Auction Galleries of New Windsor, New York will present the Blackwell Collection. Once the centerpiece of Southeastern Missouri’s Blackwell Motors, the collection is comprised of cars, motorcycles, movie costumes, musical instruments, sports memorabilia, and other items that once belonged to iconic stars of music, television, sports, and NASCAR.

The live auction will present and stream from 1001 Highway K, Bonne Terre, MO 63628. To view Day One lots and register to bid online, click here. Day two lots and registration information may be seen here.  This auction catalog is a lot of fun to view even if you won’t be bidding! Buddy Holly’s 1955 Pontiac and Cessna 172 airplane; a stunning red dress that once belonged to Marilyn Monroe, and a Willie Nelson signed and framed Texas flag are just a few of the items that will be sold.

Business Liquidation: Martin’s Tackle Box

After eleven years in business, the owners of Martin’s Tackle Box of Barryton, Michigan have decided to sell their store and pursue other interests. Their liquidation auction will be a “sell everything down to the bare walls” event! Offered will be a variety of archery, camping, hunting, ammo, clothing, a truck, trailer, boat – even the real estate! This is truly an auction where there are “too many items to list!” If you are an outdoorsman – or know someone who is – there will be some great deals here. For a look at the list of lots to be auctioned, click here

sherwood auction bear bow
Sherwood auction bear bow.

The event will be live and simulcast (webcast) by Sherwood Auction Service On August 18, 2017, at 10 AM. Registration and bidding information can be found here

Magic Collector’s Dream Auction

Jeff Busby was one of those fellows who was alternately loved or hated by his fans. One of the greatest sleight-of-hand artists of the 20th Century, Busby dazzled audiences but annoyed business associates. Whatever one’s opinion was, no one can deny that Busby was one of magic’s foremost historians. He published over five hundred articles, newsletters, books, and monographs. His library was extensive, and his skill unquestioned: he was a security consultant for casinos in California and Nevada, providing them with advice on how to detect card cheats. He lectured at the Naval Postgraduate School on the subject of “Deception Detection.” He also operated an international mail-order business for professional magicians.

Busby died in 2014, and his unusual estate will come to auction on August 19, 2017, at 10AM in the Chicago Gallery of Potter & Potter Auctions, 3759 N. Ravenswood Avenue.  Auction lots will include many pieces that have come to market for the first time: magician’s apparatus; photographs, private notebooks, plus thousands of pages of “underground” manuscripts and much unpublished material.

magic collection auction
Auction lots will include many pieces that have come to market for the first time.

Online bidding can be accomplished by registering hereFor information on absentee bidding, catalogs, and other details visit Potter & Potter’s website.

Mid-Mod Bonanza

Mid-Century Modern furniture styles are still the hottest sellers in the antiques business. When the television series Mad Men debuted in 2007, Mid-Mod immediately captured the imaginations of Millennials. Pick up any interior decorating magazine from the past ten years, and you’re almost certain to find an article featuring Mid-Century styles. Even the United States Postal Service created a stamp series featuring Mid-Century designers Charles and Ray Eames. Some names of Mid-20th-Century furniture designers have become magic: Herman Miller, Eames, Bertoia, Knoll, and McCobb. 1940s-1970s artists have surged in popularity as well: Joan Miro, Max Weber, and LeRoy Nieman among others.

eames postage stamp
The United States Postal Service created a stamp series featuring Mid-Century designers Charles and Ray Eames.

Of course, as the style has risen in popularity, so have their prices. Baby Boomers and their parents have long since emptied their homes of the popular style, and downsized to multi-functional furniture. The supply of such furniture is limited.

The best place to find low prices on genuine Mid-Mod furniture is at an online auction. It’s still common to see a few pieces of Mid-Mod at live estate auctions, but it’s rare to find a live auction entirely dedicated to the style. Carrell Estate Sales began just such an online auction on July 31, 2017, and it will conclude on August 20, 2017. Lots will include furniture, modern art, accents and furnishings, sculpture, pottery, and other decorative items. As of this writing (August 8, 2017) prices are still unbelievably low; some very desirable lots are still at their $5 opening bid price.

A pair of Danish modern lamps available at the Carrell Auctions online auction.

Registration and bidding for this online-only auction can be accomplished through HiBid.com.   Lots can be previewed at 1323 W. 13th St., 2nd Floor, Kansas City, MO 64102. Preview dates and times are August 4th through 6th, 10AM-3PM, and on subsequent Mondays and Wednesdays from 10AM until 3PM.  Purchases can be checked out on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10AM until 3PM, or by appointment. For more information, contact Carrell Estate Sales at 816-678-8280, 913-206-4093 or click here.

That’s all for now…

There are some great items listed above, and all 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, check out Wayne’s website at resaleretailing.com or visit Wayne’s blog.

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