Professional Appraisers & Liquidators Auctions

Antiques, Fine Art, Pre-Columbian, Antique Armor & More at June 2010 Auction

2010-06-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

ANTIQUES, FINE ART and COLLECTIBLES AUCTION

The Estate of The Late Harry Renker of Geneva, IL - Airline Pilot and International Purveyor of Fine Antiques -- With select additions

Saturday, June 26 at 10am EST

Previews: Friday 10-5 & Saturday 8-10 am

PROFESSIONAL APPRAISERS & LIQUIDATORS, LLC

811 SE US Highway 19, Crystal River, FL

800-542-3877 * 352-795-2061 * http://www.charliefudge.com/

Charles Fudge, Auctioneer - AB1131/AU1593

UPDATED PARTIAL LISTING

ART - Includes Paintings on Ivory, Miniature Paintings and Portrait Paintings on Porcelain Plaques including KPM and Berlin Porcelain by Famous Listed Artists including Wagner. 19th Century Paintings include a nice variety of Watercolor, Oil on Canvas and Oil on Board Paintings -- Many by Listed Artists - Subjects include Women, Sailing Ships, Prussian Soldiers, Hanging Game, Dogs and More. Bronze & Marble Statues and Sculptures - including Listed Artists, a Bronze and Ivory Statue of Oriental Man, a Bronze Statue of a Knight on a Horse, Gold Dore' Bronze Stag, a 20.5" Gold Dore' Statue of a Man in Loin Cloth with Dog, a Pair of Spelter Bronze Gladiators, a Matched Pair of Bronze Elephants with Ivory Tusks, Miniature Victorian Bronze Nudes, Artist Signed Rooster, a Pair of Bronze Chinoiserie Vases, a Russian Bronze of Monkeys, a Pheasant, a Samurai, and more. A great selection of Austrian Cold Painted Bronze Figures to include 2 Pheasants (one is signed Bergman) a Signed Franz Bergman Feather Shaped Pen Holder with Owl, as well as Miniature Austrian Bronze Dogs, Bear, Cat and a Crow Pin Cushion with Key in his Mouth. Exquisite Carved Ivory includes an intricately carved Pagoda with Dragon Handles (approximately 2 feet in height), an Ivory carved Figurine of a Beggar with his Dog, a fabulous Pair of Artist Signed 13.5" Ivory Phoenix Birds, a Set of Three Carved Ivory Horses, and an Inuit Carving of Polar Bears.

CLOCKS: An outstanding selection of very fine Antique Clocks including: 22" Tiffany & Co Gold Dore' Bronze Clock with Cherub holding a Sun Dial, 19c Louis XVI French Marble and Bronze Figural Clock: "Pendule A L'Etude Et La Philosophie” with Works by Samuel Marti, Tiffany Carriage Clock, 19c Ornately Carved Oak Case Mantle Clock by Webster, Exquisite 19th Century Carved English Oak Mantle Clock w/ Westminster Chimes, Vienna Regulator, Black Forest Cuckoo and many more.

FURNITURE: Includes a Fabulous Turn of the Century Marquetry Inlaid & Marble Top Bedroom Suite (bed converted to king size), with Intricately Carved and Inlaid Washstand and Vanity, an English Carved Oak Bible Stand dated 1661, 16th Century Walnut Coffer with Celtic Design on Paneled Front, a 17th Century Cromwellian Oak Arm chair, Victorian Walnut Étagère, Victorian Carved Oak Dining Room Suite, Heavily Carved 18th Century Chest, Jacobean Chair with Needlepoint Seat (circa 1660), 17th Century William and Mary Arm Chair with Coat of Arms Crest, Louis VI Country Provincial Cabinet, William & Mary Carved Oak Hall Settle w/ Caned Back and Seats, 19th Century French Curio Cabinet w/ Marquetry Inlay, 19th Century Table with Open Barley Twist Legs in the Style of Merklin Bros & Hunzinger. Victorian Oval Carved Oak Fire Screen (with original glass), Cast Iron Bed, Cast Iron Chairs, and much more.

POTTERY, PORCELAIN & GLASS: Large Dresden Lace Grouping of a Victorian Chess Match, Royal Doulton Vase (circa 1850), Sevres, Prussian Enameled Art Glass Regimental Stein (lid is engraved with names of the troops), American Belleek, Set of Wedgwood China, Jasperware, German Porcelain Plaque in High Relief attributed to Schafer & Vater "Volkstedt", Murano Art Glass attributed to Pollio Perelda of Toso Fratelli Co., Waterford Crystal to include Floor Lamp, Pair of Boudoir Lamps, Hurricane Lamp, Pair of Table Lamps, and more. 19th Century Oil and Whale Oil Lamps, and much, much more.

MISCELLANEOUS and UNIQUE & RARE ITEMS include 3 Pairs of Miniature Cobbler's Shoe Samples, Brass Dolphin Cigar Cutter, Silver Repousse Handled Walking Stick, Early Victorian Gilded Mother of Pearl Tussie-Mussie / Posie Holder / Nosegay - complete with ring and pin, 18th Century English Copper Toddy Warmer, Chinese Bronze Snuff Box, Verfel Russian Bronze of Monkeys in a Bat, Brass Regency Ink Stand with a Winged Griffin and 2 Cut Glass Ink Bottles, Pair of 18th Bardin Century Globes (Celestial and Terrestrial), Very Large 19th Century Cast Bronze Shield with Battle Scenes,

Antique Bronze Tazza with Griffin Supports, Inuit Carving of Polar Bears by Inupiat Whaling Captain & Artist: Simeon Patkotak, 18th Century Pewter Tankards, Chargers and Ink Wells, Antique Bibles & 17th Century Josephus book, 19th Century Embossed Copper Box with Colorful Scenes, Victorian Beveled Glass Display Boxes, and many more items too numerous to list.

ARMOUR & MILITARY ITEMS: Ranging from the 16th to 19th Century: Half Pike Espontoon Carried by English Color Sergeants, 2 Full Suits of Armour (mid 19th Century versions of 16th Century Armour, Polearms, Hilt Rapiers (circa 1600), Musket Balls, Bronze Age Persian Arrow Heads and many more items.

NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN ANTIQUITIES & ARTIFACTS: Classic Mayan Cylinder Vase from the El Tikal Ruins, (circa: 235-700AD), An American Indian Pre-Columbian 13 inch Red Ware Bowl attributed to Gila - Higley, Arizona, White Mountain, Circa 900AD, Vessels from White river, Yellow County, Chihuahua, Cliff Dwellers and and other areas and tribes. Pottery with Frieze Decoration, Polychrome, Black on Red and more. Also: Arrowheads and Beads. (None of the above are from Federal Land)

ORIENTALIA: Includes Outstanding Japanese Bronze Vases & Urns including a pair of 19th Century Bronze Vases with inlaid Gold, Silver and Copper, Signed Oriental Vases, Chinese Bronze Sculpture, 19th Century Champleve Urn, Large Carved Ivory Pagoda, Pair of Phoenix Birds, Buddha collection includes Bronze, Siam, 18th Century Large Carved Wooden Buddha, a Japanese Dore Bronze Vase, Ivory and Cloisonné statue of Quan Yin, and much more.

JEWELRY & COINS: Fine Estate Gold, Diamond, & Gemstone Jewelry & Watches including Victorian and Art Deco. Loose Gems including Tanzanite, Rubies, Diamonds, Emeralds and More, US Gold & Silver Coins including Silver Dollars, Mint Sets, Proof Sets. A nice variety of Gold Coins, and much more.

TERMS

Terms Summary: Cash, U.S. Credit cards: Master Card, VISA, Discover, and Approved Check. 13% Buyers Premium (Less 3% Discount for Cash on Day of Auction). Complete Terms, Policies and Conditions can be found on our website.

All information was derived from sources believed to be correct but is not guaranteed. All announcements at sale take precedence over any printed matter. Professional Appraisers and Liquidators, LLC Auction Gallery strongly encourages in person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by our auctioneers regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Professional Appraisers and Liquidators. All lots offered are sold "As Is".

We are currently buying and accepting quality consignments of Antiques, Art, Jewelry, Coins, Gold and Collectibles. Get your items in early to take advantage of National and International Advertising and On-Line Auction Exposure!

See our Website for Info, Catalog & Photos: http://www.charliefudge.com/

Auctioneer's Note: Folks, We are very excited to offer this fabulous assortment of Fine Antiques, Art, and Collectibles to you this month. We believe it is one of the finest in our 40 year history. As we write this note, we continue to buy and take consignments, so there will be many fabulous items that are not listed in the Partial Listing. Don't forget to view our website for the complete catalog, photos, and updates. This is certainly an auction you cannot afford to miss! Call Delilah for Seat Reservations (352-795-2061). For those of you who are unable to attend, on-line bidding is provided as a convenience. Details can be found on our website: www.charliefudge.com. See you at the auction! Charles Fudge

Mid Century Modern Murano Art Glass

2010-06-08T11:56:00.000-07:00

Here is a great article on Mid Century Modern Murano Art Glass:
The magic of Murano glass;Collecting - Times Online

Don't forget to check out the 20th Century Mid Century Modern Murano Art Glass among many fabulous other Antiques, Fine Art and Collectibles in our June 26th Antique and Fine Art Auction! Details at http://www.charliefudge.com/

AVIATOR'S ANTIQUES FROM HERE & ABROAD AT AUCTION

2010-05-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

811 SE US Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL 34429

352-795-2061 // 800-542-3877

http://www.charliefudge.com/

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AVIATOR'S ANTIQUES FROM HERE AND ABROAD AT AUCTION

The Estate of World War II Veteran, Retired Delta Airlines Pilot and International Purveyor of Fine Antiques, Harry Renker, to be Auctioned at Professional Appraisers and Liquidators Antique Auction on Saturday, June 26th in Crystal River, Florida.

Just a FEW of the Fabulous Antiques in the June 26th Auction!

Crystal River, FL May 10, 2010 -- Professional Appraisers and Liquidators Antique Auctions will be the venue for the Estate of Harry Renker, Retired Delta Pilot and International Purveyor of Fine Antiques. The auction is to take place on June 26, 2010 beginning at 10am. Auctioneer, Charles Fudge, a 40 year veteran auctioneer of antiques, fine art and collectibles says this collection is one of the finest he's seen.

The late Captain Harry Renker's career in aviation began in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the South Pacific, where he logged over 200 combat missions and was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross, and 3 Air Medals. After returning to the states, he served as personal Pilot and Liaison to Generals Truesdale and Candee at The Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth Kansas. Renker was hired by Delta in 1946 and was one of the oldest living retired Delta Airline pilots. In addition to flying commercial and military planes, he flew ultra-lites until he was 87 years old.

Aviation was not Renker's only passion. In addition to flying, Renker and his wife Gayle loved fine art and antiques, and traveled the world to add to their ever-growing personal collection. Captain Renker and his wife began their journey in retail sales when they opened Valley Coin Shop in Aurora, Illinois. They later opened "Valley Coin and Antiques" in Geneva, IL. Geneva is a quaint little city 40 miles west of Chicago. Its history began with habitation by the Illinois and Prairie Pottawatomie Tribes during the 17th and 18th Centuries. The year 1836 brought a group of Settlers from Massachusetts called the Boston Colony to Geneva. The Renkers chose this historic city as the location for their shop, because of its history and character. Geneva was noted for charming shops including approximately 15 antique stores.

Gayle Renker ran the antique shop on a daily basis, and Captain Renker worked there on his days off. They both studied and researched many types of antiques, but their primary areas of expertise were European Antiques and Antique Jewelry. They also studied and collected Antique Weaponry and took an interest in American Indian Artifacts, probably due to the early history of Geneva, Il.

Being a Delta Airlines Pilot with discounted flights and cargo fees had its advantages. Harry would often go on antique shopping expeditions while on layovers in various cities. But, perhaps the biggest benefit for a commercial pilot in the antiques business was the affordibility of traveling to Europe and shipping their newly found treasures home. Captain and Mrs. Renker often traveled to Europe to scout antique shops in the city and traverse off-the-beaten-path shops in England and Scotland's countryside. They were usually guided by an Englishman they'd befriended who knew many out of the way places to find antiques that were unknown to the tourist trade. While on these buying sprees, they bought antiques for their shop, as well as their personal collection.

For many years, a big event at their antique store in Geneva, Illinois, was the arrival of the Renker's container of antiquities they'd purchased during their buying excursions throughout Europe. Clients would arrive at the shop in excited anticipation of the unveiling of the treasures they'd found. It is with that same anticipation that Professional Appraisers and Liquidator's Antique Auction Gallery will offer the Renker's personal collection at auction on June 26, 2010, beginning at 10am. The collection will be available for preview on Friday, June 25th from 10am to 5pm and on Saturday from 8am until the auction begins.

The Harry Renker Estate Auction (with select additions) will feature Fine Art, including Antique Oil Paintings - Many by Listed Artists, Ivory Carvings, Bronze and Marble Statues, Austrian Cold Painted Bronzes and Miniatures including Bergman, and Paintings on Ivory and Porcelain, to include KPM. Other European items from the Renker's personal collection include Antique Furniture ranging from the 17th Century to Victorian Era and Antique Armor and Weaponry. Oriental art is included in the form of several Buddha Statues from various eras. North America antiques include American Indian Pottery and clocks by makers such as Tiffany & Co. Unique items such as a Victorian Gilded Mother of Pearl Posey Holder or Tussie Mussie, a Russian Bronze Snuff Box, a signed Bergman Pen Holder in the form of an Owl on a Feather and other Austrian Cold Painted Bronze items and Miniatures to name a few. To view photos and a partial listing, go to www.charliefudge.com. The complete catalog for the Estate of Captain Harry Renker (with additions), along with photographs of each item, will be available on the firm's website by June 1st. Floor bidding, absentee and telephone bidding is offered. Real-time bidding through Internet portals www.proxibid.com and www.liveauctioneers.com is also available for your convenience. You can contact the auction gallery directly at 352-795-2061 or 800-542-3877 for further information or to request a brochure.

Professional Appraisers and Liquidators LLC

Auctioneer, Charles Fudge, of Professional Appraisers & Liquidator's Antique Auctions has been bringing the finest Antiques, Fine Art and Collectibles to dealers and collectors alike for over 40 years. Their 7500 square foot climate controlled antique gallery in Crystal River, Florida, has easy access via major highways and airports. The firm purchases estates and collections outright or will accept them on consignment.

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Note to Press: If you'd like an interview with Auctioneer, Charles Fudge, or more information about the Renker Estate or the Antique Auction, please contact Delilah or Amy at 352-795-2061

SUMMARY: Professional Appraisers & Liquidator's Antique Auction is pleased to offer The Estate of The Late Harry Renker of Geneva, IL - Airline Pilot and International Purveyor of Fine Antiques -- with select additions -- at their gallery in Crystal River, FL, on Saturday, June 26th at 10am. Items of interest include KPM, Signed Wagner and other Paintings on Porcelain and Ivory. Other antique items include, Bronze, Marble & Ivory Figurines and Statues, 19th Century Paintings by Listed Artists, Antique Clocks (including Tiffany), Antique Furniture ranging from the 17th Century to the Victorian Era, Antique Armor and Weaponry & Native American Indian Pottery. Unique items such as a Victorian Gilded Mother of Pearl Posey Holder or Tussie Mussie, a Russian Bronze Snuff Box, a signed Bergman Pen Holder in the form of an Owl on a Feather and other Austrian Cold Painted Bronze items and Miniatures to name a few. In addition to Floor Bidding, Real-time Internet and Absentee Bidding is available. Information, catalog and photos can be found on their website: www.charliefudge.com or by calling 352-795-2061 or 800-542-3877.

IMPORTANT ANTIQUE AUCTON COMING SOON.

2010-05-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

FOLKS, the June auction is going to be FAN-TABULOUS! I'm finishing up the PR, the brochure and we start cataloging in 2 weeks! If you have QUALITY Antiques or Collectibles to sell or consign, get them to us YESTERDAY. We need them A.S.A.P if you are going to be included in our advertising. The auction will, of course, have live bidding in our auction gallery, it will have on-line internet bidding, and we accept absentee and telephone bidding.

Photos are coming soon as is more info, but in the meantime, check http://www.charliefudge.com for further info

By the way, the clock in the photo is TIFFANY & CO of New York from an estate in the Chicago suburbs. There are too many items to even start to list them! I suggest you just check out the website for now!

CITRUS COUNTY ANTIQUE AUCTIONS AND LIVE AUCTIONEERS - HERE WE COME

2009-10-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

In an effort to bring in more internet bidders to our Citrus County Antique Auctions, we are bringing in LiveAuctioneers.com for our October 31st Auction. We've been using Proxibid for over a year now - maybe two, but we still felt like we weren't reaching as many internet bidders as we wanted for our Antique, Art, and Collectibles auction. So, this October 31st we are bringing Liveauctioneers.com on board. LiveAuctioneers used to be the official company for eBay Live, which is no more. But, I believe that they brought most of the serious Antique, Fine Art & Collectible buyers with them when they split from ebay. In today's economy, we need to do everything we possibly can as a high end antique auction to reach as many bidders as we can when we have our auctions. We are not dropping proxibid, but rather we are just adding yet one more avenue for on-line bidders at our live auction. I'm very curious to see how it will all work out. We'd love to see your comments as to which on-line bidding venue you prefer. Eventually, we might choose one or the other, but for now we'll have a live audience and BOTH online bidding options.

Auctions & Estate Companies vs Sr. Moving Companies

2009-10-06T19:02:00.000-07:00

Senior moving companies are on the rise. During the past few years, they have popped up all over the map. One can pay just under $1500 for a 3-day course to be certified as a Senior Transition Specialist. Is this really new, or have they rebranded an age old concept of helping our elders? These companies are charging for services that Auction Businesses and Estate Sale Companies alike have been providing to their older clients for years, but they were doing it out of the goodness of their heart. They didn't know that helping seniors make the transition to assisted living or a relative's home could mean dollar signs. Instead they helped because it was the neighborly thing to do.

Do a google search and the names are endless. Senior Transitions, Caring Transitions, Gentle Transitions, and Mature Movers are just a few. They even have an association: The National Association of Senior Move Managers, a 501-C-3 Not-for-Profit organization.

Why have these companies become necessary? Isn't there anyone who cares about the elderly enough to help them with their move to assisted living or back home to be near their children without being paid for it? Are family members too busy to help them? Don't neighbors help each other anymore? What happened to "Love your neighbor as yourself". Well, there actually are two types of businesses that have been around for ever and a day that have been helping seniors prepare for moving day and most likely they didn't charge them extra. Those businesses are Estate Sale and Auction Companies. Although they may not have specifically advertised this service, for years Auction Houses and Estate Sale Companies alike have been the liaison between clients and their out of town family members to help this transition go smoothly. These businesses have helped sort items, made necessary arrangements, and taken it upon themselves to see that their clients were ready for moving day. Most have left the home void of debris, "broom clean" and ready for a realtor. Many carried unsold items to a local charity.

The liquidators didn't charge for the little extras. The auctioneer or estate sale companies made their profit on the liquidation of the items in the home that were not going to be moved, and not for helping the senior with all the other details.
These "details" can become overwhelming to a client, but are matter-of-fact for liquidators, who move seniors day in and day out. A huge smile or a warm hug from the senior were compensation enough for their assistance. Years later the companies were still reaping additional rewards in the form of word-of-mouth referrals from family, friends, and neighbors who were impressed at the kindness displayed by the liquidators.

The good news is that estate sale companies and auction houses still offer these services, but evidently they haven't been doing a good job of advertising the extras they offer. If they were properly advertising the many ways in which they help their clients, there would have been no room for an industry based solely on helping seniors move. The senior transiton companies are NOT moving companies. Instead they help the senior with the details involved in moving. If an estate sale or auction house is worth their salt, then they are providing the same services, without the extra cost.

Most auctioneers in states such as Florida, with a large population of older residents, will tell you that at least 50 percent of their business involves assisting an elderly widow or widower with their "back up north" or to Assisted Living. They call the estate sale company or auction business because they need to downsize or liquidate their estate. In more than half of those cases, the person who makes the first contact is a relative living in another state. When the out of state relative calls to make arrangements to liquidate their loved ones home, an auction house will give them options. They can either sell the items outright, put them on consignment for an upcoming Antique or Estate Auction, or conduct an estate sale with said items - either at the client's home or in the business' own facility. Whichever method of liquidation is chosen, at this point, the auction business acts as an extension of the out of town family, and does everything they can to put the senior's mind at ease regarding the move. Typically, they go above and beyond what they are contracted to do. Most auctioneers will tell you that if they are hired to liquidate, the sorting and packing of items that will be moved, debris removal and cleaning the home once its vacant, is done for FREE.

Citrus County Auctioneer, Charles Fudge, says, "Our staff has over 100 years of combined experience in liquidating estates, and seniors have made up a good majority of our clientelle. We treat everyone like family. Anyone who calls upon our business will receive help and support from us, and they shouldn't need a moving specialist. We can have a senior packed, unpacked, and settled in assisted living in about 24 hours. The sooner we can get them settled in their new home, the better. We want them to feel "at home" in their new residence right away, and this happens when the things they love surround them. They need to have their medicine in a place they can easily reach. They want the photo of their deceased spouse on their nightstand, and their grandchildren's photo hanging on the wall. We make sure they have the necessities in their refrigerator and their clothes hanging in their closet. If they have a pet, they need to know the new location for keeping the pet food. These little things make a big difference in how quickly they adapt to their new surroundings and we make it happen." He goes on to say, "We treat each move as if the client was our own grandmother, and we keep open lines of communication with the out of town family members. Once the house is emptied, our cleaning crew goes in and gets the house prepared for the realtor or buyer. We've done such a great job over the years that at least 20 percent of our business comes from realtors or word of mouth advertising via friends, relatives, or neighbors of people we've moved. "

Employee Amy Stalker says, "He does this all for FREE because he is a very kind man, with a special place in his heart for the elderly" He has moved more people into assisted living (from start to finish) than she can count, and the only money he makes is the commission on items they sell or profit on items he buys for resale." (His auction business does not charge extra for those needing extra assistance with their liquidation and move.) "He's even personally coordinated a client's move to upstate New York after downsizing the former home, then flew up north to help the gentleman settle into his new residence", adds Amy.

In summary, the services provided by these senior movers is not new, or unique. They've just found a new way to brand an old tradition. It is wonderful that they are providing a service for the elderly, but auctioneers and estate liquidators have been doing the same for decades. Auctioneers and estate sale companies have helped their clients out of kindness, and the specialized senior movers saw a nitch in the market and turned it into a business. Before hiring a specialized company to move your loved one back "home" or to assisted living, find out what "extras" your local auction house or estate sale companies provide when you contract with them to liquidate the contents of the home. You may find that the added expense of a senior moving specialist is not necessary.

For additional information, contact Antique Auctions by Professional Appraisers & Liquidators at 811 US Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL. Their website is http://www.charliefudge.com/ or you can reach them by telephone toll free at 800-542-3877. To find an auctioneer near you visit: www.auctioneers.org/

Local Auctioneer Auctions Haunted Victorian Antique Gallery & Contents up for auction Sat beginning at 10am

2009-10-02T00:29:00.000-07:00

Tell us what you think about our article regarding Saturday's Auction and the Victorian Mansion that will be auctioned at noon (final bid subject to owner's approval)

The photo to the left depicts the painting dated 1844 of a gentleman that seems to invoke the paranormal activity whenever it is moved. For this reason, the painting will go to the new owner of the Historical Victorian Mansion.

HAUNTED HISTORICAL OCALA MANSION & ITS ANTIQUE CONTENTS TO BE AUCTIONED SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3RD AT 10AM

Florida Auctioneers Charles Fudge of Professional Appraisers and Liquidators of Crystal River & Kale Albritton of Lakeland Will Liquidate the Contents of Upstairs Downstairs Antique Gallery on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 10am Along With the Late 1890's Victorian House, Which is Rumored to be Haunted.

Ocala, FL, October 1 2009 - This Saturday, will be an important day for Antique Collectors, Dealers, curiosity seekers, and ghost hunters alike when a Crystal River auction firm liquidates the contents of Upstairs, Downstairs Antique Galleria at 725 E. Silver Springs Blvd in Ocala Florida beginning at 10am. Besides over $200,000 worth of antiques that will cross the auction block, the 1885 Victorian Mansion zoned for commercial use, which is rumored to be haunted, will also be auctioned. This is the second "haunted" historical building in the Fort King district to be auctioned in the last year.

The Historic District of Ocala is an important spot on the map for those interested in all things paranormal. Sci-Fi Channel's Television Show "TAPS Ghost Hunters" featured The Seven Sisters Inn on an episode last year. Ocala Ghost Walks, a local firm offerning walking and carriage tours of the district, features several historical buildings in the Fort King area including Seven Sisters and the Ritz Historic Inn. The ghost tour owner, Catherine Wendell said, "The hauntings throughout the area seem to be in clusters of 2 or 3 houses near each other, with no rhyme or reason". The former Upstairs Downstairs Antique shop building is an important stop on their tour.

When Professional Appraisers & Liquidators was hired to liquidate both the contents and Victorian building at 725 E Silver Springs Blvd, they were told that the painting of a gentleman, circa 1840s, that was hanging in the shop was NOT for sale. The owner stipulated that it "went with the house" and would be given to the person who purchases the Victorian seven-bedroom mansion. Why? Because it seems that strange occurances seem to happen whenever that painting is moved.

Auctioneer Charles Fudge stated, "The comment about the painting sparked our interest as to the history of the building". His firm's research led them to an Ocala firm that had investigated the mysterious occurances in June, 2009 and posted audio and video of their overnight surveillance of the Victorian home on their website. According to a spokesman for American Paranormal Project Inc, the not for profit volunteer based organization, made up of citizens, each with unique backgrounds who have an interest in the paranormal, "It is truly one of the most haunted places I've seen". Besides their findings of EVPs and ENPs, they heard footsteps upstairs while the entire team was "locked down" on the first floor. He also told them that "something" besides their team turned a light on during their overnight investigation.

Whether you've always dreamed of owning a Victorian Home, commercially zoned in a high traffic area, and 72 space parking lot, modern sprinkler system and fully equipped with security cameras or you'd just like to own a building that has been "verified" as haunted, now is your chance. The building will be auctioned at noon to the highest bidder (with owner approval). If a haunted house is out of your price range, then you still might want to take home some of the fine antiques that will be auctioned from 10am until about 5pm. Who knows? Maybe one of the antiques you purchase will bring a spirit with it. And you'll have it just in time for Halloween.

For further information regarding the auction of Upstairs Downstairs Antique Gallery and the historical Victorian mansion, contact Professional Appraisers & Liquidators Antique Auctions at 800-542-3877 or visit their website at http://www.charliefudge.com/. The website for Ocala Ghost Walks is http://www.ocalaghostwalks.com/ and video footage of the ghost hunt conducted by American Paranormal Project Inc can be viewed at http://www.americanparanormalprojectinc.com/id6.html

Auctions, Auctions, Auctions and 21st Century Technology

2009-09-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

Wow! Have we ALL been busy! Amy, Delilah and I have all had the proverbial "peddle to the metal" these past few weeks. Anyone involved with the auction business, whether as buyer or seller, knows that summertime in Florida is not one of an auctioneers busiest times. We did not get the traditional "summer break" this year. The phones continued to ring with estates from all over Florida and up the East Coast to New York, which is a GOOD THING! In addition to the added workload from estates piling in, we are also in a new relationship with 17-year Auction Veteran, Joel Kulcsar (formerly of Wiliston, FL), who will bring 2 Monday night auctions a month to our Crystal River Auction Gallery. That means cleaning all those items, setting them up, preparing the advertising and, of course, spreading the word through the latest technocological channels -- blogs, internet calendars, and Press Releases (where appropriate) on the internet! Last night I went to sleep at 5am, not because I was done with my work, but because I could no longer hold my eyes open!

Technology is now one of the most important parts of an Auction House's advertising plan. Maybe I'm behind the times now, but it wasn't always this way. We've sold costume jewelry and other items not suitable for our auctions on e-Bay for 10 years now, so I guess that means we jumped right on the internet auction bandwagon. Our first sale was a vintage Barbie doll, and the price she brought had us hooked. We've had a website (thanks to my son, Christopher) for as long as I can remember. I've always taken the steps needed (SEO or Search Engine Optimization) to keep our website in a good position when potential customers search for entries such as: auctioneer, auction house, appraiser. Lately I've noticed that I haven't been as diligent in keeping up with that, so I've begun submitting our URL (website address) to the sites necessary to stay at the top of the list in the public's eye, such as Yahoo, MSN and Google. Last year (or was it the year before?) we signed up with Proxibid so bidders from around the world could bid real-time at our live antique auctions. Then we added sound, and bidders as far as Timbuktu could even hear the auctioneer's voice while they placed their internet bids. This increased our sales, and was an excellent selling point when offering our services for consignment. Last month, Amy and I decided we needed to film the merchandise in our auctions for youtube videos, and she took the reigns, and has been doing that for each auction ever since (Go Amy!)

You'd think that being on e-Bay, having a website, keeping it submitted to the proper search engines, providing photo galleries and youtube videos on our auction's website, using an on-line bidding option, such as Proxibid, and posting Press Releases on line as well as submitting them to appropriate trade and local newspapers would have all our advertising bases covered. NOT TRUE! I read an article on the internet last week that really got me thinking. It mentioned the importance of businesses having another type of internet prescence. As I read on, I realized we had yet more work to do.

During the past year, my adult children urged me to open a Facebook account in order to get with the 21st century. They told me how I needed one to keep in touch with family and friends as well as to reconnect with long lost friends, co-workers and classmates. They explained how I could share photos, post or sign up for events, and gave me several other reasons why I simply had to join Facebook. I did so, and I've found it a blessing AND a curse (its wonderful for connecting and reconnecting, but it can "suck you in" and consume much of your time).

Another avenue associated with the internet, that came to my attention over the last few years, was the blog. If you'd asked me three years ago what a blog was, I'd have told you it was a column of sorts on the internet where people reported the news with their own slant. My perception was that whether right wing or left, "bloggers" were people who reported current events from their own perspective, without having an affiliation with a network or cable mainstream news company -- and that the best part of their job was that it was uncensored and they would work from their home or the nearest Starbucks.

My viewpoint about blogs changed when my daughter-in-law emailed a link to me so I could read her personal blog. It contained adorable anecdotes about her children and musings of her life as a wife and mother of 4. (Note: The number of their blessings has since grown to 5.) To my great pleasure, her blog also contained a photo gallery filled with photos of her family at work and play. At this point, I knew of two uses for a blog. One could report news and current events to the masses from any angle they chose or one could share their thoughts in journal format with their family and friends. I had not yet linked the idea of a blog to our auction business' marketing strategy.

Another PART of THE INTERNET that I've been avoiding like the plague is Twitter. Oh, yes, I've heard the terms Twitter and Tweets on television and seen enough people on TV "twitting" (or is it "tweeting"?) away on their blackberry as if their life depended on it. Yet, I did not understand how it worked, and I wondered if it had any purpose besides being another venue on which to place one's "status". When you really think about "status", isn't it really absurd? Why would anyone want to know what someone else is having for dinner? Who cares whether someone else is tired and going to bed? What has become of the world, when we all need to be so technologically connected, that our every waking move is posted in the form of a "status" on the internet for all to see and post their comments? Call me a sceptic, but to me, it seems a typical status post would be: "I'm baking cookies". The post is then followed by 5 or 10 comments: "Gee, sounds yummy", "Save me some", "what kind of cookies are you baking?". Am I the only person on the planet who thinks this is ludicrous? If one spends all their time TYPING about what they are doing, then where is the time to DO the task? Call me old fashioned, but I believe that writing letters and email cover the bases for just about every type of communication that is necessary in my life. Ask me if I've ever written something mundane in my status box on Facebook. Yes, indeed! I have succombed to peer pressure on that one. On the positive side, I can honestly tell you that I only log on once every week or two, so I'm not tempted to bore the world with every single detail of every single day. The only technological MODE that I find more ridiculous is people text messaging each other while in the same room! I pray I never take technology to THAT limit!

With my strong opininions about the need, or lack thereof to post one's comings and goings all day on the internet, I did not feel I needed a Twitter account. I could not see any use for one more internet site to monitor. I never quite understood the concept of reporting ones' every move to the whole world (or at least to ones' friends and family) in the form of what the internet calls a "status". However, I began to see a purpose for Twitter when I read that most of the major corporations in the U.S. had people monitoring Twitter full-time, and if someone wanted immediate customer service, their best bet was to post their complaint on Twitter. I assume that article was addressing an audience already familiar with the VENUE. It did not tell the consumer whether to post their issue on their own Twitter site, or that of the corporations. Do you add your phone number? How did the company reply? Who in the world was lucky enough to land the job sitting somewhere monitoring Twitter all day? I had a lot to learn!