Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

TIM’S, INC., WILL HOLD ITS 20th ANNUAL CABIN FEVER AUCTION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 25th, AT THE FIRM’S GALLERY IN BRISTOL, CONN., AT 12 NOON (EST)

This one promises to be the best ever, with 500-600 lots of quality, fresh-to-the-market items.

(BRISTOL, Conn.) – Get ready, all you hibernating snowbirds in Connecticut and lower New England. It’s time to shake off the winter snow (not that there was much of the white stuff) and make plans for the 20th annual Cabin Fever Auction, to be held Sunday, March 25, by Tim’s, Inc., in the firm’s gallery facility, located at 1185 Farmington Avenue (Route 6) in Bristol, Conn.

“Our Cabin Fever Auction began in 1992, in the spirit of long New England winters and the desire of folks to get out and get going with the promise of spring,” said Tim Chapulis of Tim’s, Inc. “We’re excited to be hosting the 20th annual event this year, and we feel this is one auction no one will want to miss. There will be 500-600 lots of top-quality items from prominent local estates, private collections, lifetime coin collections and safety deposit boxes. We’ll have something for everybody.”

Even if Old Man Winter does come roaring back for one last hurrah, people will still be able to bid from the comfort of their homes, thanks to Internet bidding provided by LiveAuctioneers.com, Auctionzip.com and Artfact.com. All three will be hosting the auction.

The sale will feature over 100 U.S. gold coins, around 300 U.S. silver coins, an antique clock collection (including examples by Eli Terry, Chauncey & Ives of Bristol, Conn., and other renowned clock makers), signed rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, antique furnishings, carpets, jewelry and more. The auction will start promptly at noon (EST). A preview will be held from 10 a.m. until the first gavel comes down.

Without a doubt the most exciting item in the auction is an actual 1996 New York Yankees World Championship ring, once owned by former major leaguer Rey Quinones. The ring contains a full 1.5 ounces of gold and has 23 brilliant round diamonds (one for each championship year for the Yankees) on top of a man-made sapphire, plus the Yankees’ logo.

Rey Quinones was a shortstop who played for three teams from 1986-1989 (the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates). He held an administrative position with the Yankees in the 1996 season, entitling him to a ring. The ring is considered especially desirable because it was won during the Joe Torre era. Similar examples have sold for up to $20,000.

The gold and silver coins are expected to generate tremendous bidder interest, as the values of precious metals continue to surge upward. Offered will be 18 St. Gaudens $20 gold coins (some estimated to bring $2,000-$4,000 each); ten $10 Indian head and Liberty head gold coins (est. $800-$1,200 each); a Mark Twain commemorative gold coin issued by the U.S. Mint and still in the original issue box, with documentation; and a very rare 1893-S U.S. silver dollar (est. $5,000-$8,000).

Also brought up for bid will be two complete sets of Mercury head dimes (with both sets having the rare 1916-D key date); a complete collection of the highly desirable Peace America silver dollar coins (including the rare 1928 plain and 1921 key dates) ; and copper coins and other coin sets. Some of the coins will be “raw” (or ungraded), while others will carry grades.

The antique clocks will feature about a half-dozen Eli Terry pillar-and-scroll clocks from the early 19th century; a tall case grandfather clock by J. E. Caldwell, 8 feet 4 inches tall, in a walnut case with claw feel, a phase and moon dial at the top and three finials; an uncommon and large rosewood E. N. Welch (Forestville, Conn.) wall regulator weight-driven clock (circa 1880s); and other clocks.

Vintage musical instruments will include a Gibson Byrdland guitar from around 1960 (est. $5,000-$10,000); and a Gibson Hummingbird guitar from the same era. The rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia will feature a guitar signed by Les Paul, the late father of the electric guitar; a Les Paul signature on a picture record; and a guitar signed by a member of ‘60s band Vanilla Fudge. Proceeds from the sale of the signed rock ‘n’ roll items will go to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Also sold will be a Steinway grand piano, the desirable Model L, 5 feet 9 inches long. The magnificent piano has been in the same family since its original purchase in 1928.

Antique furniture will be represented by some of the most renowned American furniture makers in history: Thomas Brooks, John Jelliffs, R. J. Horner and others. One spectacular piece expected to wow the crowd is a monumental carved oak two-door glass collector’s cabinet on a two-drawer base attributed to R. J. Horner. The cabinet, possibly an Exposition piece, has carved grapevines, standing winged griffins and a carved crest at the top, all in the original wood finish.

Other pieces expected to do well include a marble-top princess dresser and two marble-top center tables. Guns will also be offered (to include two pair of matching dueling pistols), as will some diamond estate jewelry.
Just consigned, by a local man cleaning out his attic, is a tin on litho painted advertising sign for Brook Hill Dog whiskey, circa 1890s, with artwork by Alexander Pope II. The unframed sign, measuring about 2 feet by 3 feet, shows a tri-color English Setter coming through a hole in a wooden fence. “When I say there’s something for everyone in this sale, I wasn’t kidding,” Mr. Chapulis deadpanned.

Admittance to the auction will be a suggested $10 donation per person, the proceeds of which will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in memory of Peter W. Chapulis, Tim’s late father. To date, Tim’s, Inc. has proudly raised over $43,000 for the hospital, and the hope is that the $50,000 mark can be reached this year to coincide with the 50th anniversary of St. Jude’s.

Terms of the auction will be a $100 cash deposit per bidder number (refundable upon return of the bidder number or good towards a purchase); a 15 percent buyer’s premium for cash purchases (must be paid in full on the day of the auction); an 18 percent buyer’s premium for known checks; and a 20 percent buyer’s premium for online bidders. No charge cards allowed.

Tim’s, Inc. is celebrating 33 years in business (1979-2012). The firm is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call Tim Chapulis at (860) 459-0964, or e-mail him at [email protected]. For additional information about Tim’s, Inc. and the Sunday, March 25 Cabin Fever Auction, log on to www.timsauction.com

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