:Red Baron is riding into the sunset with an "End of an Era" sale on September 27 and 28.
Citing health reasons, Bob Brown said that after 35 years, he will be giving up the grueling pace of sourcing material and staging the monumental auctions for which his firm is known. "I will still have a small store in Atlanta where I will offer high-end antiques, perhaps under the name of 'The Baron Collection,' but this will be my last auction, and we are pulling out all the stops to make it memorable."
"Memorable" is an apt term for Brown's operation. He remains the only auctioneer known to have shopped Brimfield by helicopter, landing in the far end of May's field on such shopping expeditions. Dealers loved to see him on the field as he would often buy entire collections on the spot.
In a letter prefacing a catalog for their last sale, Brown and his wife, Linda, wrote: "After 35 years, seven presidents, thousands of life lessons and many, many laughs, we have decided that it's finally time to fold the Red Baron sail and pull her into the harbor. But you know that we never could go out with a whimper. No, the Red Baron way plainly dictates that we end this thing with a BANG!"
Accordingly, the two-day extravaganza is filled with enough inventory to make one's head spin, ranging from a mummiform coffin lid dating from circa 1075–656 BC to a complete paneled room in golden oak with arched doorways, intricate carvings and a marble mantel surmounted by a mirror. For movie buffs, the sale features the original submarine prop used in the 1954
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
, and military collectors have an opportunity to drive away in a World War II "Duck" amphibious truck.
Under Brown's command to "sell it all — even the toys," the
Baroness
itself, a motor yacht equipped with four staterooms that is currently located in the Bahamas, will cross the block, estimated at $3.5/4.5 million.
"I have really enjoyed this business, and I have met the best people on earth. On every level, they have been fantastic," said Brown.
Also known for his legendary preview parties, for this last sale preview — Friday, September 26, from 7 to 10 pm — Brown promises to bring back the "girls on the chandeliers."
For information, 404-252-3770 or
www.Rbantiques.com
.
—WD
