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Baltimore Auction Company Hits Home Run
  With Revived City Auction Techniques

     Col. Irv Sass of Baltimore Auction Company was recently hired to
sell
the house and contents formerly owned by the late Ms. Irene C. Moore of
Baltimore.  Mrs. Moore owned 2913 St. Paul Street and had lived there
for
 approximately 50 years.  Included in her estate were a number of pieces
of
antique furniture and decorative arts pieces, appraised at $9000.00.
     Her home, a three level townhome in Charles Village, Baltimore,
 was also appraised  at $119,000, below  other neighborhood properties
due to the
existence of deferred maintenance on the home.
     A marketing period of 20 days featured print media, internet,
telemarketing and local  auction promotion techniques.  Deposit
requirements to bid included the
posting of $7000. with the auction company, less than 6% of the hammer
price.
        Col. Sass joined forces with Harris Auction Company, one of the
oldest
licensed personal property auction houses in the city, who lent their
expertise to evaluate, promote and help sell the contents of the
building.
     The home and contents were advertised as a non-absolute old
fashioned on-site sale, typical of the way city auctions were frequently
conducted in the 1970 era in Baltimore.  Col. Sass believed that the
time
 proven technique of offering both the real and personal property
together
on-site would attract a strong gathering.  He noted that this approach
declined in
usage when auction galleries became more abundant and consignors were
encouraged
to ship their merchandise to remote locations to sell.
       At the request of the personal representatives and attorney for
the
estate, the auction was conducted on Friday, March 31 on site.
Over 100 attendees filled the 90 year old small home.  Initially,  the
personal items
were sold by taking the bidders throughout the house and accepting bids
where the items were displayed.  When some of the rooms became too small
to sell in,
the company asked the crowd to  step outside so that those particular
lots could be sold
from the front stoop. Many passing motorists slowed down on busy St.
Paul Street to
 catch glimpses of the sale.
      Several semi-antique rugs were offered, which sold in the range of
$50 to
450 dollars. Imari plates brought $25-100 a piece.  A Dresden cup and
saucer
was sold for $100.  There were 100+ pieces of Haviland Limoge china, in
the fern
pattern, which sold as a lot for $625.00  A cabbage pattern Chinese
charger sold
for $525.  A Champleve style enamel lamp brought $255 while a pair of
sterling 3 light
candlesticks brought $180. 2 sterling topped glass inkwells captured $55
and $190.
  Four Don Swann (Baltimore) sketches sold for $57. each.
     In the furniture category, an 1880's Eastlake slantfront in burl
walnut sold for
$650, an 1890's chest of drawers brought $480, and a delicate stenciled
slantfront in
mahogany captured $300..  A mahogany tavern table and rough farm table
pulled
in $150 and $35 respectively.  $150 was paid for a Duncan Phyfe china
cabinet.  All prices are without buyer's premium.
        At the conclusion, the contents grossed $17,200.  The house
grossed $135,200.  Both figures were well above appraised value.
         Col. Sass was assisted by auctioneer Col. Bob Hendrickson, of
Annapolis in the sale. Harris Auction Company was represented by Col.
Richard Hall.
     Baltimore Auction Company can be reached at (410) 526-4626 or (301)
943-0833.
The company specializes in estate sales, real estate, and government
sales
and services clients from Pennsylvania, throughout Maryland, as well as
DC and
Northern Virginia.