A rare, complete copy of John James Audubon’s Birds of America was sold for £7,321,250 ($11,365,000), including buyer’s premium, at Sotheby’s in London, UK, on 7 December 2010. The book contains 1,000 life-size illustrations of 435 birds drawn and printed by the Haitian-born American artist Audubon (1785–1851) between 1827 and 1838. The illustrations were originally sold a page at a time to collectors, and only 119 complete editions are known to exist. Prior to the auction, the book formed part of the collection of Frederick Fermor-Hesketh, 2nd Baron Hesketh (1916–1955).
At the time, this was the most expensive book sold at auction overall, extending its own record following another copy of Birds of America that was auctioned for $8,802,500 (£5,567,573) by Christie’s in New York City, USA, on 10 March 2000.
The book was purchased by Michael Tollemache, a London art dealer who was present in the room for the auction. Only 120 complete copies of this book are known to exist, of which a mere 13 are in private hands.
Currently, the most expensive book is the Bay Psalm Book (1640), the first book ever printed in British North America. A copy sold at Sotheby’s in New York City, USA, on 26 November 2013 fetched $14,165,000, purchased by American businessman David Rubenstein. Just 1,700 copies were produced by the residents of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and there are thought to be only 11 surviving copies.
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History of Auctioneering
The Bailey Auction Barn on Black Mountain Road is prepared to handle auction sales. Courteous and efficient handling of all consignments, large or small. We will sell anything—from a plate to an estate, signed: Emma Bailey, Brattleboro’s Woman Auctioneer.On May 12, 1950, Bailey sold her first item, a 50-year-old rocking chair, for a price of $2.50. Her Saturday auctions soon became a regular local event, and her family helped out: Bailey’s husband organized the sale items, and her daughters did the record-keeping and sold concessions. Bailey sold a wide range of items, including antiques, farm tools, books and household furniture, and was known for her “poetic” promotional descriptions of wares. She developed a reputation for fairness and “scrupulous honesty,” once putting police onto a group of antiques thieves who had approached Bailey under false pretenses for help selling their goods. During her time as auctioneer, Bailey encountered opposition based on her gender: her first auction was postponed for several weeks after a male competitor accused her of breaking a zoning law. Her early sales were sometimes disrupted by men who “gathered in front of the podium and heckled.” Later, when Bailey and a rival male auctioneer both expressed interest in the same sale, the man proposed that he should get the sale because “he had a family to support”, whereas Bailey already had a working husband. Bailey lost the sale. Despite her induction to the National Auctioneer’s Association, Bailey was not always well supported by her peers: in 1960, when a reporter inquired about women auctioneers, the Association’s response was that “although a woman had tried auctioneering in Vermont, she had found it too hard and quit.” Bailey died on September 3, 1999. The Wisconsin auction house Bailey’s Honor Auction, LLC, owned by auctioneer Carol Miller, is named after Emma Bailey.
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Joseph A. Almburg Jr.
DELAVAN – Joe was born in Dekalb, IL on April 15th, 1963 and has lived his adult life in Delavan, WI after graduating from UW Whitewater. Joe Jr. passed away at the young age of 57 on Friday, Dec. 18th, 2020 after losing his battle with Covid-19.
Joe was an amazing man with a heart of gold. He loved life, family, and friends. Joe lived for playing hockey, as he played at least twice a week. Joe also enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, golfing, snowmobiling, riding his Harley, hanging out at the fire pit with a glass of wine, and almost everything outdoors.
Joe loved to share laughs and tell stories, and he could tell them well! Whether he told a story once or 100 times, it would be just as funny as the first time you heard it. His smile was contagious and his laugh infectious. To know Joe is to love Joe, and he is so loved.
Joe was a Senior Account Manager with Univar Solutions. He enjoyed his job, his co-workers and was very respected. Joe followed in his family’s footsteps in the auctioneering business. He worked part time providing his auctioneering services for many charitable and wildlife auctions. He was a member of the Auctioneers Association, USA Hockey, National Wild Turkey Federation, Delavan Hunt Club, Delavan Lake Yacht Club, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and several other organizations.
Joe is survived by his soul mate, Emily Van Der Haegen, his parents, Joe and Phyllis Almburg, whom he looked up to immensely, daughter, Joselyn Almburg of Chicago, and son, Andrew (Cassidy) Almburg of Delavan, all of whom he was very proud. He is also survived by his granddaughter Cora, who he adored, and his bonus children Blaine, Anna (Kris) and Scotty Van Der Haegen, who he loved as his own. Additionally, Joe is survived by his sister-in-law Lynn Almburg, his niece Emma and nephew Owen, who meant the world to him. Joe Jr. had many other loving family members and beautiful friends he has left behind.
Joe is preceded in death by his brother Mark, both sharing an immense love for the ice. Wilhelm and Helga Hauer also preceded Joe in death.
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Felten, George H. MONONA – George H. Felten, age 80, died on Monday, Jan. 8, 2007, at the HospiceCare Center, Fitchburg, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 28, 1926, in East Wrightstown, Wis., to Henry and Eleanore (Schwoerer) Felten. George served in the Merchant Marines on iron ore boats in the Great Lakes, as a teenager during the 1940s. He married Anne Skabeikis on Sept. 2, 1988, at St. Dennis Catholic Church. In his early years, George managed a large equipment rental company, in California. He graduated from Missouri Auction School, and was then self-employed as an auctioneer for 20 years, retiring in 1984. He was a member of the Wisconsin Auctioneers Association and the Cottage Grove Historical Society. George especially enjoyed boating in northern California in his younger years, with his family. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and was a very doting parent.
In the last few years, Annes care giving helped her and George remain independent. George is survived by his wife, Anne Felten of Monona; a son, Robert Felten of Madison; a daughter, Jenny Massey of Madison; five grandchildren, Missy Schulenburg, Susan (Scott) Treinen, Laura (Matt) Braund, Tim (Leslie) Waterbury and Haley Massey; two great-grandchildren, Alissa and Tia; two brothers, Walter Felten and Jerome Felten, both of Superior; two sisters, Sister Mary Felten, OSB of Duluth, Minn., and Ann (Marvin) Kuklok of Phillips; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. George was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Vivian (Swinehart) Felten, in 1968; second wife, Phyllis (Culp) Felten, in 1987; his parents; and a brother, Leo. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, with Father John Meinholz presiding. Burial will be at St. Josephs Cemetery, Avoca. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in care of the family. Grandpa, while we will always love and miss you, we know you are at peace with the Lord. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420 www.gundersonfh.com
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The Kentucky Auctioneers Association is a member organization of Auction Professional designed to assist, improve, and enhance auctioneers’ skills, education and success. The Kentucky Auctioneers Association, Inc. was formed in 1957 by a handful of dedicated auctioneers. The purpose of the KAA was and still remains to promote and advance the auction profession and to foster and encourage a spirit of cooperation and mutual aid and respect among persons engaged in the auction profession. The KAA aims to protect the interests of the members in all matters of legislation, to help, aid and assist at all times in improving the auction profession by technical training, instruction, apprenticeship and exchanges of ideas and practices.
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Founded in 1949, the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association (MSAA) has a proud history that is made up of dedicated members from all facets of the Auction Industry. Today we educate our members on current auction techniques and best practices industry-wide.
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On September 21st, 1906, Col. Carey M. Jones, the well-known livestock auctioneer and president of the Jones National School of Auctioneering and Oratory, formerly located at Davenport, Iowa, has just moved his school to Chicago, Illinois, and will be located hereafter at 231 Ashland boulevard, Chicago. Col. Jones says that the superior advantages afforded by the city of Chicago both for the school and Its students has decided the removal. The term of the school hereafter will be Increased to six weeks, although the price for tuition remains the same, $100, which Includes nil books and necessary stationery. One of the principal advantages of the removal of the school to Chicago will be the auction sales which are held dally at the stock yards. Students being able to attend these sales will mean much to them while taking a course in auctioneering, as it will give them an education in the value of horses and cattle that will be of much benefit to them in their business. The Jones National School of Auctioneering has been quite successful ¦¦ In the location at Davenport, and we predict much greater usefulness for it in the new location. The next term of the school opens November 19th. Col. Jones will be pleased to send any of our readers Interested a prospectus of the school and full particulars concerning the same. He will be glad to hear from those who contemplate making auctioneering a life profession and answer any questions concerning the school that may be desired.
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Source: https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=WAF19060921.2.39
We present herewith a likeness of Col. Al. P. Mason, Union, Iowa, an auctioneer who not only has a very strong following among the livestock breeders and farmers in his own immediate vicinity but whose services have been in demand at many sales in both Iowa and outside states. Col. Mason ls president of the Iowa Livestock Auctioneers Association, a breeder of Short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs, and thoroughly competent to conduct sales of any kind. He ls a hard worker, gives everybody a fair deal, and has built up a business that any auctioneer could be proud of. The likeness of Col. Mason presented herewith is a good one. The colonel will be glad to correspond with any of our readers desiring to make dates for sales this fall. Since last September he has cried nearly 150 sales, which shows that his services are appreciated.
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Source: https://idnc.library.illinois.edu/?a=d&d=WAF19050922.2.18
The First meeting for Montana Auctioneers Association was held March 26, 1961 at Northern Hotel; Billings, MT
Present: R.J. “Bob” Thomas, Ken Conzleman, Milton Mann, Bill McKay, C.R. “Tige” Thomas, Frank Bass, Bill Hagen, Jack Sedgwick, Gordon Gross, Ron Granmoe, Dan Lattin, T.E. Herman, Jack Ellis.
President: R.J. “Bob” Thomas
Vice-President: Ken Conzleman
Secretary Treasurer: Bill Hagen
Directors: Gus Bender, Frank Bass, Milton Mann, Bill Hagan, William McKay, Ron Granmoe, Bob Thomas
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The New Hampshire Auctioneers Association is a non-profit trade association founded in 1954 to promote the professional, ethical and educational standards of the auction business in the Granite State.
The Association continued its concern with professionalism when, in 1969, it lead the nation by drafting and putting into effect, through the state legislature, the licensing of auctioneers and laws that govern the profession and protect the public. A State Board of Auctioneers was created and the NHAA continues to work with the Board and the legislature to create an atmosphere of good will in the trade.
The Association boasts not only nationally known members but also an elite group of professional auctioneers serving all markets, who are capable of providing both buyers and sellers with the very best opportunity to realize the most from their merchandise.
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The most expensive chicken nugget sold at online auction is $99,997 (£70,709 / €82,190), sold by eBay user ‘polizna’ with the listing “McDonald’s Among Us shaped Nugget from BTS Meal”, on 4 June 2021.
The nugget resembles a character from the hugely popular multiplayer videogame Among Us. It was also part of an exclusive meal launched by McDonald’s in collaboration with multiple Guinness World Records title holders BTS. Having been listed for only $0.99 and receiving no bids for the first two days, the nugget received an initial bid of $14,969 which sparked a huge amount of interest online, with the official Among Us Twitter account even posting about the auction. After 183 subsequent bids, the nugget sold for just under $100,000 and will be delivered “frozen and then air sealed to ensure freshness”, according to the item description.
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