(ANN ARBOR, Mich.) – A monumental mahogany front and back bar made around 1893 by Brunswick, Balke & Collender Co., the desirable Los Angeles model and with an original matching liquor cabinet, soared to $302,500 at the living estate of Ron Wallace – a dedicated collector and former president of UPS – held Oct. 2-4 at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, Mich.
The three-day auction was held by Showtime Auction Services, based in nearby Woodhaven. The front and back bar was one of the top earners of about 1,700 lots that changed hands in a sale that grossed around $2.2 million. “It was our best auction ever in terms of average dollar amount per lot,” said Mike Eckles of Showtime Auction Services. “It was a very successful sale with several records set.”
One of those records was the front and back bar – 24 feet in wide and 11 feet tall, with hand-carved, life-size nude supports between beveled mirrors, each weighing 140 pounds and standing 5 feet 4 inches tall. The matching liquor cabinet had adjustable shelves and a zinc-like base. “We’ve only seen two of these bars in 25 years, and only one with a matching original liquor cabinet,” Mr. Eckles said.
Showtime Auction Services already has four exciting sales lined up for 2010, starting with a Catalog Auction that ends Jan. 15. Offered will be a wonderful selection of country store, advertising and miscellaneous items, in an absentee, phone and Internet only auction. Then, on Apr. 9-11, a Live Auction will be held at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor (catalogs ready Mar. 1).
A Summer Catalog Auction (absentee, phone and Internet bidding only) will end July 9, then the year will conclude with a Live Fall Auction Oct. 1-3, also in Ann Arbor. Like the Apr. 9-11 sale the fall event will feature a nice selection of gambling, coin-op, country store, advertising and miscellaneous items. Absentee, phone and Internet bids will also be accepted.
Showtime Auction Services is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call Mike Eckles of Showtime Auction Services at
951) 453-24154. His e-mail address is [email protected].
To learn more about Showtime Auction Services and the upcoming calendar of events slated for 2010, log on to www.showtimeauctions.com