Global Auction Blog

Since we have started using Global Auction Guide the interest in our sales has skyrocketed. Instead of just local newspaper coverage we now have exposure to the world !!! We list our Global site in all of our local ads for our local customers so they can look at sale bills and photos from their homes. The power of advertising auctions on the internet only generates more buyers. Advertising and listing auctions on the net  not only helps us the auctioneers but more importantly our customers (the sellers). More exposure for their items means more money in their pockets. We have no other website as we have found that Global Auction Guide has fulfilled all our needs !!!!
Thanks to Dwayne and everyone that helped put this together as it has been a valuable asset to our Auction business !!
Sincerely  Dan Wendel  Cone Auctions Alta, Iowa

Popularity: 44% [?]

As a successful Fundraising & Wine Auctioneer, I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to my sales and marketing person. On many occasions I have personally witnessed my salesperson, tirelessly working on the telephone and internet, in his relentless pursuit of new business. From sun up to sun down, he often works nonstop. He is my agent and staunch supporter in promoting my fundraising auction business. If it were not for him, then my business would not exist! Who is this person? Me!

Why do so very few auctioneers out of auction school actually make it in the Auction Profession? No, it’s not because they are not already working for an auction company. It’s because they have not learned how to promote themselves, and unfortunately the auction schools do not teach this skill. Whether you are new to the Auction Profession or a veteran auctioneer, as we all know, sitting by the phone and waiting for it to ring is a complete waste of your time. Sure, you can place advertisements in the yellow pages, and if you are lucky you will get a couple of phone calls that land one decent job a year as a result of your ads. Yeah, you can join your state and national associations, and utilize there web sites. There again, if you are lucky, you will get one or two referrals a year at best. Oh sure, you can create your own company web site too! Now how do you drive the internet traffic there? Can you make a decent living off of just a handful of jobs from the efforts I have mentioned above? I think not!

My fellow auctioneers, do you see where I am going with this line of questioning? I am trying to get you to think about this most important question: �Who is responsible for getting us the business and creating our success?� YOU! It is you! Your passion and your drive is what guarantee’s your success! Now you know the secret ingredient to your success. What do you do next?

Develop a marketing plan. Target the business you are pursuing and focus on your objective. �Bidder Development� is also a good idea as well, as you want to get the right bidders to attend your auctions. Now start calling those businesses working in your target demographic. Collect your bidder’s email addresses from every auction you conduct, and then email them about your upcoming auctions. Snail mail still offers only a 1% positive response rate. Now you are successfully driving traffic to your web site. When business is slow, send out email or paper newsletters to your bidders letting them know what you are doing. Offer finder’s fees to your bidders who refer you qualified leads. Always thank your bidders for attending your auctions. I always send my bidders thank you emails!

Do you want all of my secrets? Ok, a few more. Network! Network! Network (huge hint)! Forbes magazine states that networking is the single most successful marketing tool utilized by millionaires today. �It’s not what you know, but who you know.� You can network at clubs, organizations, businesses, churches, restaurants, or the gym, etc. Appraisal clinics or Fundraising Auctions (big hint) are also good.

Get yourself involved and seen by the public in the community you serve. The more they see you, then the more they will get to know you and remember you. Whether you are auctioning or teaching (hint) the public about your profession, it’s still an opportunity to put your best foot forward. Take advantage of every lucrative opportunity that comes your way. A �going out of business� sign, pawn shops, and other obvious attention grabbers are all great opportunities for the perceptive and entrepreneurial auctioneer. Perhaps the best advertising and promotion we receive is, �word of mouth advertising�. Do everything you can in your community to foster a good name and great business reputation for yourself!

Tom DiNardo is co-owner of DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers of Anacortes, WA. Tom is an Auctioneer, Appraiser, and Writer.

To contact Tom, visit www.DiNardoandLordAuctioneers.com

(c) 2004 Tom DiNardo - All rights reserved.

Popularity: 50% [?]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2008

HARRISON AUCTIONS, INC
Cape Coral, FL
Sale March 8,9, 2008

Harrison Auctions will hold the first of several auctions to disperse key items from a lifetime collection of toys.

CAPE CORAL, FL - The heirs to a lifetime collection of toys have selected Floyd Harrison, owner of Harrison Auctions of Cape Coral, to begin the dispersal of a portion of the collection. Many of the lots in this inventory were exhibited on loan during the life of the collector at the National Farm Toy Museum in Dyersville, IA, home to over 30,000 farm related toys. Some of these lots retain their Museum tags. Upon his death the family reclaimed the items and are now offering them for sale.

This sale will include 260 lots of toys dating from the late 1800s to the 1960s and includes many examples of farm toys as well as other types of toys. The inventory will include lithograph toys, tin toys, cast iron toys and wind up models associated with names like Argo, Wyandotte, Buddy L, Keystone, Marx, Chein, Tootsies, Lionel, Tonka, Hubley, Lindstrom, Linemar, John Deere, Structo and Auburn to name a few.

Highlights of the sale include a Keystone Packard Model Police Paddy Wagon 28″ long in like new condition, a Louis Marx child’s Pioneer Express riding engine, a Buddy L Emergency Unit truck, a Marx Lumar Road Grader, a Minneapolis Moline 1478 Model tractor, a 12in Marx Coca-Cola truck, a Wyandotte Steel Stake Body Truck and a Tin Lighograph Windup Laying Hen with Wooden Eggs.

The sale will be conducted by Harrison Auctions at Eyeing the Past Antique Shop located at 1936 Commercial Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33901 (239) 275-8885. Live bidding begins at 10:00AM on Saturday March 8 and 11:00AM Sunday March 9. Preview is available at Eyeing the Past during the week before the sale from 9:30AM to 3:00PM daily. The sale will be online through iCollector in association with eBay Live Auctions. Absentee bids will be accepted but there will be no phone bidding. Only 100 seats are available for this sale with no advance seat reservations. The second sale from this collection will probably take place next mid summer.

For more information contact Floyd Harrison at (239) 574-6909, email harrisonsauction@aol.com or see online information including photos and descriptions at www.flauctions.com, select the March 8 date and click “bid online” to view the inventory.

Written by:
Fred & Gail Taylor
www.furnituredetective.com
800-387-6377

PHOTO CAPTIONS FOR HARRISON AUCTION

Marx Lumar Road Grader

Keystone Packard Model Police Paddy Wagon

Sparks Bourne toy sand Digger steam shovel 28″ Indianapolis rare

Lithograph Toy Carnival Roller Coaster by J. Chein USA 19″x10″H wind up,
has lift belt / no cars.

Marx Sparking Windup Tank, Pat 1334539 Original Rubber Tracks need repair.

Popularity: 46% [?]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2008

CONTACT: BRIAN KOGAN
(561) 805-7115

AUCTION GALLERY OF THE PALM BEACHES
Sales March 31, May 1, May 19, 2008
West Palm Beach, FL

Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches hosted three major sales this Spring with impressive results including the biennial Chess Collectors International sale.

(WEST PALM BEACH, FL) Brian Kogan, owner of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches, certainly met his goal of the skillful merger of art and commerce in the three sales in his Gallery in March and May.

For the March 31 sale Kogan presented 376 lots to an inhouse audience of 80 registered bidders and 759 bidders participating through LiveAuctioneers.com. The inventory ranged from Erte bronzes to French paintings to American and English antique furniture. The tallest lot in the sale was also the top lot in the sale. A Federal tall case clock, circa 1800, by William Cummens received 23 bids, closing at $30,420 including buyer’s premium, well surpassing the estimate of $10,000/$15,000. The 91in tall mahogany case was topped by an arched hood with latticework crown and brass finials, a glazed door flanked by reeded columns and a painted metal face bearing the signature of Cummens. It was followed in the catalog by a pair of English Regency rosewood card tables with harp bases and rotating “D” shaped tops, opening to reveal an unlined playing surface. This pair of gamesters attracted 27 bids to close at $16,380 against the $5,000/$7,000 estimate.

A fine silver gilt enamel Russian Kovsh made by Khlebnikov, 1908-1917, in bombe form with scroll handle, raised on paw feet and decorated in blue, white and red flowers closed on the ninth bid at $4,446 while a 33¼in tall marble standing nude by Prof. Bagnelli (Italian 20th century) made $4,388. An oil on canvas by Louis Henri Deschamps (French 1846-1902), “Interior of a Girl Sewing” went for $3,042.

Then the Gallery executed a complete change of direction and went from a broad based art form to a narrowly focused event to conduct the biennial auction of Chess Collectors International on May 1. This sale featured exotic chess sets, memorabilia and related ephemera from around the world. It was the first CCI sale to be held in the United States since 2002 and was conducted in conjunction with U.S. Seniors Open Chess Tournament held in Boca Raton. The 137 lots attracted 50 bidders to the room and had 82 online through LiveAuctioneers.

The top lot was a unique Japanese 20th century carved ivory set. The two 3¼in tall kings were each signed with a red seal. One set of competitors was lightly stained and the other left natural ivory. Each figure represented an activity in traditional Japanese life. The king was a warlord, the queen held a box, the bishops were ninjas and the knights were samurai. With fitted box and carrying case, the set sold for $15,210. It was followed closely by a rare French/German “Dieppe” style carved bone figural set, 18th/19th century. Each figure was fitted with a leather hat and all figures were in period costume. Estimated at $6,000/$8,000, this popular set brought 20 bids and was a nice surprise closing online at $13,420. Most of the remainder of the lots sold in the $1,500 - $2,500 range.

After the entertaining chess interlude it was time to get back to the serious world of art. The May 19th event offered 340 lots of art, porcelain, glass and sculpture mixed with a few pieces of select European antique furniture.

The feature presentation was “Paris Scene” by Jean Dufy (French 1888-1964). The 18¼ by 25¾in gouache work was signed lower right and came with a Certificate of Authenticity from Leandre Guesnel, Paris, April 16, 1985. Estimated at $20,000/$30,000, it sold on the phone for $32,760. Also warmly received was the oil on canvas “Place de la Madeleine” by Constantine Kluge (French 1912-2003). With a Palm Beach provenance it was estimated at $5,000/$8,000 but after 28 bids it closed at $17,550. American art made an appearance in the form of “Phenomena Prism Mirror” by Paul Jenkins (American born 1923). The acrylic on canvas was signed and dated 1984 New York on the reverse. It sold on the phone above estimate at $16,380 and English artist Henry Scott (1911-1966) made a surprise appearance with his O/C “Crossing the Line.” With the same Palm Beach provenance as the Jenkins work and estimated at $3,000/$4,000, it sold for a delightful $10,530. A 142 piece set of Georg Jensen sterling silver flatware, post 1945, in “Acorn” pattern hammered at $12,870.

Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches will celebrate its fifth birthday on June 30 with a major Sporting and Fine Arts auction. For information about this sale and upcoming sales call (561) 805-7115, email info@agopb.com or visit the website at www.agopb.com. The Gallery is located at 1609 South Dixie Hwy, Suite 5, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401.

written by:

Fred Taylor

www.furnituredetective.com

800-387-6377

PHOTO CAPTIONS FOR AUCTION GALLERY OF THE PALM BEACHES

“Paris Scene” by Jean Dufy sold for $32,760.

This abstract by Paul Jenkins sold over estimate at $16,380.

Part of the top lot of the Japanese ivory chess set that brought $15,210.

The Dieppe style figural set went for $13,420.

This Federal tall case clock by William Cummens closed at $30,420.

A pair of rosewood Regency game tables upped the ante to $16,380.

Popularity: 44% [?]

The internet is a proven tool for auctions. Through the use of the internet buyers today can source equipment much more efficient than they could before. Buyers today have easy access to pictures, prices, etc. for equipment anywhere in the world. And it’s convenient - They can view it when they want, where they want. We use the internet heavily in our auction marketing program. According to our recent statistics the internet is the number one source where buyers look for equipment at our auctions. Our kramerauction.com site has seen a sharp increase in users for the past seven years. We have promoted our auctions on farmauctionguide for a number of years and find it is one of the best sites for buyers to source auction items. The number of viewers looking at our auctions on this site has increased every year. We have consistently had numerous buyers take part in our auctions that have seen them on farmauctionguide.

Kim Kramer
Kramer Auction Sales Ltd. North Battleford Saskatchewan Canada
Professional Auctioneers since 1949

Popularity: 45% [?]

On Wednesday, June 17, Spink Smythe will hold its first Autograph Auction, bringing the finest in historical autographs to a truly international market.
—-

About Spink Smythe
Established in 1880, Spink Smythe buys, sells, and auctions coins, paper money, stocks and bonds and autographs. To order a catalog or to contact any of the firm’s specialists, or to make general inquiries, call 212-943-1880 or 800-622-1880, or visit the firm’s website at: http://www.smytheonline.com.

Popularity: 46% [?]

Kristin Beason

Auctioneer James Bell knows his audience so well he says that by body language alone, he can predict if they are going to bid on an item 70 percent of the time. (Photo by Kristen Beason)

WARRENSBURG, Mo. — Auctions are the way some people find their most prized positions. It can be a place where people find a matching piece of glassware for their set, a used lawn mower or tractor, or a valued coin.

Whether it is the atmosphere they crave, or the deals they make, many people are serious about auctions.

So how does the process of an auction work? James Bell from Davis and Bell Auction Service said it starts when those interested register to bid.

“If they see something they are interested in (in the sales bill), they register for a buyer’s number,” he said. “This allows them to bid on that item at the auction.”

The auction service begins advertising for the auction in newspapers and online. This tells people of the time of the auction and where it will be taking place. Tables and trailers are set up to display all of the items up for bid. Before the auction begins, the auctioneers decide where they want to start among all the items. As the auctioneers travel up and down isles of things, items are held up for bidders to see and the bidding begins.

Depending on the amount of items and the size of the house or farm, an auction can last from three to five hours. (Photo by Kristen Beason)

“Some people want to be discreet in their bidding, especially if there is someone else equally interested in the same item,” Bell said. “There is a relationship that is built between the bidder and the auctioneer. We can pick out who is going to bid through body language about 70 percent of the time.”

The average auction takes about five hours for a smaller farm and from three to five hours to complete a household auction. It mostly depends on the size of the auction and how many items are up for bid.

“(Auctions) are the ideal way to bring people together to sell items,” Bell said. “It is a way for people to raise themselves on a person-to-person basis. It shows what a person will give and who would give more.”

A farm auction could be a great place to find a John Deere tractor at a cheaper price. (Photo by Kristen Beason)

Bell has been in the auction business for most of his life. He was first intrigued by the auction atmosphere as a child and worked at a livestock auction when he was older. He was asked by his employer to sell items when they were short-handed and had the desire to get better afterward. He went to auctioneer school and became licensed in 1992. He worked for local auctioneer Densil Allen, a former UCM agriculture department professor, who owned the business for 26 years. He and his partner took over the business after Allen.

So what do people look for the most at auctions? Bell said that coins and guns are the most sought after at any auction because they hold their value better than most items offered. Glassware and other collectable items are not as popular lately, Bell said, because of the price of gas.

“People aren’t spending their money on collectables,” Bell said. “They are putting it towards their gas tanks. Guns and coins get better with age.”

A lot of times, auctions bring a lot of the same people looking to get a good deal. If an auction has specific items featured, it would bring a different type of auction goer. Sale bills give the public a taste of what will be featured at the auction, but don’t list everything.

“More will come and see what is there if you give them a teaser instead of telling them exactly what is available,” Bell said.

At a May 3 auction in Bates City, Mo., the sky was bright and the weather comfortable for the morning outdoor event. Steve Gee said that he attended it because he was looking for a deal and attends auctions often.

“I came to look for antiques and enjoy this nice Saturday afternoon,” he said.

Vicki Markes attends auctions with her father, who buys farm equipment. They go as often as they can and she enjoys looking for gardening items.

“It’s better than garage sales,” she said. “We’ve been here since 9:30 a.m.”

Some people are very much involved in auctions and there are others who attend for specific items. Either way, it brings many people together for a day to get deals on valuable and highly sought-after items.

Popularity: 46% [?]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2008

MATHESON’S AA AUCTION
Melbourne, FL
Sale March 29-30

Part of the collection of Lillian Watson, previously exhibited at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art in New York, will be sold at Matheson’s AA Auction in Melbourne, FL.

MELBOURNE, FL - For the first time in its history Matheson’s AA Auction of Melbourne, FL will conduct an auction event live online through LiveAuctioneers.com. Auction owner Lloyd Matheson said, “We owe it to our consignors to open up this sale to the world.”

And what is so special about this sale? The 800 lot sale on March 29-30 will begin with thirty-five pieces of Asian art and antiques from the collection of Lillian Watson, noted collector and world traveler. Twenty of the thirty-five pieces were exhibited at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY and were insured for over $5,000,000 in 1997. Matheson’s will offer the thirty-five pieces sequentially as the opening lots of the sale.

Mrs. Watson normally traveled with art and antiques specialists to advise her on her purchases. Among those advisors were Dr. Marty Young, curator of the Johnson Museum, Dr. Mary Linda, curator of the Rockefeller collection, Dr. Richard Howard of the Birmingham Museum and Dr. Richard Gramley. The descriptions of the individual lots in this sale from the Watson collection were provided by the committee of experts that vetted the display for the Museum. Mrs. Watson also purchased items from C. T. Loo in Paris and New York and the Aladdin Gallery.

Lot 01 of the sale will be a 14in high underglazed copper red and white pear shaped bottle, 14th century, from the early Ming Dynasty, Hongwu Reign. When this bottle was first exhibited in the Museum in 1997, on loan from Mrs. Watson, it was insured for $2,000,000. A bottle with the same design, underglaze and similar provenance, one inch shorter, sold at Christy’s Hong Kong in 1997 for $2,800,000. Matheson will open the auction with this lot at $100,000 with no reserve!

Among other items from the collection are a 10½in Imperial Chinese yellow enamel saucer dish, underglaze blue and overglaze yellow, with a floral decoration from the Ming Dynasty bearing the Emperor Chenghua mark (1465-1487), a 19½in tall Chinese Famille Noire glazed vase with court scenes from the Qing Dynasty with Kangxi mark (1661-1722) and a life size Khmer Baphuon sculpture of a male, Baphuon period, 10th century, 49in tall with base.

Following the initial group of Watson lots will be what Matheson is calling a “Discovery Asian Art” session featuring another thirty to forty Asian artifacts from other collections. This may be the opportunity, according to Matheson, for someone to find an undiscovered treasure. This section will include items like an 18th-19th century Qing Dynasty flambe’ glazed vase, 9½in tall, an eight panel Ming Dynasty blue and white table screen and six important early Japanese tiles framed together, each one signed.

In addition to Oriental art the sale will feature some significant American and European art as well as estate jewelry and select furniture items. One piece of artwork that is of special interest in this sale was previously sold by Matheson’s a little over two years ago. It is a work by American painter Ernest Lawson (1873-1939). Lawson was one of The Eight, a group of Impressionist painters working in New York after the turn of the century. The painting at hand is an Impressionist work of a young girl in a forest.

When originally offered at Matheson’s the unusually large painting by Lawson seemed to be covered by a white film. The consensus in the room was the painting had been “skinned” by over zealous cleaning. The painting sold for $40,000 plus buyer’ premium and the buyer sent it to a restorer where the film was determined to be a discoloration of over varnish. The original buyer has now consigned the fully restored colorful painting to Matheson’s to be sold without reserve.

The sale will begin at 9:30AM Saturday March 29 and will continue at 11:00 AM Sunday March 30. Preview will be Friday March 28 from 11:00AM to 6:00PM, Saturday 8:30 – 9:30AM and Sunday 9:00 – 11:00AM. Matheson’s AA Auction is located at 600 E. New Haven Avenue in Melbourne, FL 32901. Seating for 180 can be reserved by phone, (321) 768-6668 or by email at aaauctions@earthlink.net. Selected portions of the catalog are available for viewing on the Matheson’s AA Auction website at http://www.mathesonsaaauction.com/ and at http://www.liveaucitoneers.com/. The auction will be called by 33 year veteran auctioneer and auction co-owner Lloyd J. Matheson, Jr. Phone and absentee bids are welcomed. For more information call auction owners Lloyd or Jan Matheson or Auction Manager Carey Lucas (321) 768-6668.

Written by:
Fred & Gail Taylor
http://www.furnituredetective.com/
800-387-6377

PHOTO CAPTIONS FOR MATHESON’S MARCH 2008

This 14th century Ming Dynasty bottle with copper red underglaze was insured for $2,000,000 while on display at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art.

This 30in diameter Baccarat crystal and dore bronze centerpiece was made for and owned by Gen. Porfirio Diaz, President of Mexico 1876-1911. It bears his seal.

This painting by Ernest Lawson sold for $40,000 plus buyer’s premium in unrestored condition two years ago. In professionally restored condition it will now be offered without reserve.

This 15th century Ming Dynasty Imperial Chinese blue and yellow saucer bears the Emperor Chengua mark of the period.

This life size Khmer Baphuon sculpture is from the 10th century.

An 18in tall porcelain and dore bronze vase is impressed “Boch” on the bottom.

Popularity: 48% [?]

I recently received the Summer Auction Calendar from Kramer Auctions in Saskatchewan, and they have been kind enough to allow me to share some of their commentary regarding the just past spring farm auction season.

From the Kramer Auction Catalog

Despite the dump of snow late in the month, the weather for the most part was quite decent. We really enjoyed this year’s auction run. We had a great group of clients to sell for this spring with a fantastic selection of equipment.
With the high demand and short supply of equipment, the auction method of marketing once again proved to be the best way to sell. Our clients were extremely happy with their auction results all spring. It was also a lot of fun at the auctions.
Customers were in good humour and really enjoying the auctions. We have a lot of great auctions lined up for the summer and hope to see you out at as many as possible.

The prices of equipment at this spring’s auctions were quite strong. Some hi-lite items that were exceptionally strong include:
- 4wd tractors, especially with
powershift trans and ptos
- Tandem grain trucks
- Tandem discs
- Smaller up-to-date seeding tools
- Large deep tillage cultivators.

What’s hiding on your farm?
Below are some items that were hiding around some of the farm yards this past spring that created a lot of interest.
March 25 - Flying S Farms Ltd., Eatonia, SK
- Rumely oil pull tractor (running condition) $27,000
- Rumely oil pull tractor (not running) $12,500
- 1969 Cessna 310 aircraft $91,000
April 12 - Anderson Acres Ltd., Richard, SK
- 1966 Case 730 tractor w/4 cyl. gas $6,100
April 2 - Sothmann, Elrose, SK
- 1967 GMC 950 grain truck w/396 V8 (former
Chevelle SS engine) 4+2, 15′ steel box & hoist
Sold for $6,500

Rising Trend in the Number of Joint Owner Farm Auctions

There seems to be a rising trend in the number of on-site farm auctions where multiple owners combine their equipment and have a joint auction. Doing this has many advantages. Auction sales today seem to be located further apart each year therefore causing buyers to travel further distances to attend. By joining auctions a larger crowd is attracted to both rather that a part crowd each day. Also, when the auctions are combined you have more impact when advertising. Lastly, costs of having an auction are less for both advertising and auction expenses. We have noticed the joint auctions to be very successful and plan on doing more this way in the future. Joint auctions are a Win-Win situation for everyone involved.

Popularity: 49% [?]

In Search of Gainsborough
Cornwall Auction Generates Interest, Intrigue Amongst Art Collectors Around the World – “It could be a bloodbath.”

Ever hear the story about the chap who bought an old painting at a yard sale because he wanted the frame, only to find out that the painting he was going to discard was actually a lost master that was worth thousands of dollars?

Ever want to be that chap?

That same question is running through a lot of people’s minds as an auction being held in Cornwall puts up a painting for bids – a painting that many think is worth quite a bit.

It looks like a Gainsborough, feels like a Gainsborough, the records say it’s a Gainsborough, but is it?

Thomas Gainsborough (1727 - 1788) is an English landscape and portrait painter, one of the great English masters (perhaps most famously known for his Blue Boy portrait). His paintings regularly command a high price and are sought after by art collectors.

The Cornwall auction has a painting that is attributed to him – however it is not signed (which is not unusual for Gainsborough paintings). This is where the fun begins – how do you authenticate a painting that is hundreds of years old?

Cornwall auctioneer Theresa Taylor, a Canadian champion auctioneer, says interest has been building and she simply does not know what to expect when the hammer falls.

“I have been swamped with calls about this painting”, says Taylor. “ Collectors believe it’s a Gainsborough, and people genuinely think that this may be an incredible opportunity to pick up a great piece of historical art at a great price. I have been told that an unsigned Gainsborough sold at auction in 2004 for $45,000.”  The Begg family bought the painting in 1930 at a London Gallery, and the sales receipt indicates it is a Gainsborough.

Recently, a gentlemen from Ireland sent additional information about the portrait. He has informed Taylor that the portrait is of the 1st Viscount de Vesci (1735-1804) of Abbey Leix, Ireland.  The family was very prominent and wealthy in Ireland, and is related ancestrally to the late Princess Diana.

There have been inquires from France, England, across Canada and the United States. One dealer quoted; “There is going to be a blood bath before the gavel falls” as bidders fight for the right of ownership.

Theresa Taylor has been commissioned to sell by public auction the estates Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Begg and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Joseph McCleary. The Begg family was considered among the cream of genteel Toronto society at the turn of the twentieth century. “Glenburn” built 1923 at 205 Lytton Boulevard was the family home. A portion of the estate was donated as parkland, to the city of Toronto, which is now referred to as “Begg’s Garden”. Mr. Herbert Begg was director of several insurance companies, president of Shaw & Begg Limited and Wellington Fire Insurance Company. He was also influential in the destinies of a group of other companies.

The private art collections of Herbert Begg has not been on the market for a century and the auction contains works by Charles Moreau, Carl Henry Von Ahrens, John Arthur Lomas, Walter Denby Sadler, Charles Barque, Oliver Clair just to name a few.

But art is not the only gem in this show.  The auction includes a wide selection of jewellery that includes platinum, diamonds, three carat sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and Victorian period gold pieces. Maureen Trudel-DeCelles, GIA , appraiser for the estate jewellery  stated that: “ Here is  a collection of estate jewellery that was nearly all custom ordered.  The design work is truly incredible, and only the best of gems were set.”

The auction also includes vintage custom couture clothing - Victorian period right up to  the Jackie O era.  The balance of the estate is made up of a very eclectic collection of Antique furnishings, Sterling, Porcelains and Glass spanning Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian eras collected by one family over the last century.

The auction takes place at 10 am on Saturday June 14, 2008 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 6732 Purcell Road – just outside of Cornwall, Ontario.

Take a step back in time, see museum quality pieces, a sneak preview is online at www.theresataylor.com . Prospective bidders are invited to an onsite preview Fri. June 13th. The auctioneer is also offering live online bidding at www.proxibid.com/theresataylor .

Gillian McCleary ,  granddaughter of the Hebert Begg, will be attending the preview session on Friday and will be happy to share with you any provenance and  a insight to the lives of the Begg family who were considered among the cream of genteel Toronto  society at the turn of the twentieth century. There will be documentation and photos displayed.

Remember at an auction, the action is hot, the smiles are warm and the fun never stops.  Come discover a treasure, name the price and be entertained.  Hope to see you at the auction.

Theresa Taylor is available for interviews. For more information, please contact:

Theresa E. Taylor and Associates Auctioneering
P.O. Box 158, South Lancaster, Ontario, Canada K0C 2C0
Phone: 613-347-7672 ~ Toll Free: 1-877-746-9333

Popularity: 47% [?]