PARSONSFIELD, MAINE — It is billed as “a celebration of her life” and that is just what it will be when the collection of the late Nan Gurley comes up for auction on Saturday, September 17, at her Parsonsfield home. This onsite sale will include the entire inventory of her antiques shop, the contents of her home that were so special to her and a group of things she really loved but paid too much for and knew she would not be able to sell. And along the way her collection of smalls, purchases or gifts from her many friends and always displayed in Nan’s famous secretary, will also cross the block.

The Gurley Auction Co., headed by Joshua Gurley, auctioneer, will run the auction, under tent at 536 North Road, rain or shine, with comfortable seating and catering. A 10 percent buyer’s premium will apply and a 5½ percent Maine sale tax where applicable. Payment will be check or cash and absentee and phone bidding accepted. A preview will be on Friday, September 16, 9 am to 5 pm, and the sale the following day will begin at 10 am.

Joshua has announced that the first part of the auction will be the contents of the house, special things that Nan loved and familiar to three generations who grew up in that house. Furniture is highlighted by a rare Maine Shaker trestle table in tiger maple, a stepback cupboard in old red paint, a decorated Sheraton Empire chest of drawers, a paint decorated dressing table and several child-size chests of drawers in excellent paint. A variety of things hung on the walls, including a portrait of a girl with flowers by Prior Hamblin, a selection of Nineteenth Century floral watercolors, an Eighteenth Century flamestitch needlework theorem and a large mourning theorem on velvet.

Wooden pieces, pottery and various fabric objects were displayed on the floor and on just about every flat surface, all reflecting the many interests Nan had in her world of collecting. Firkins number six, all in different colors, a school girl’s box is decorated with shells, a basket of flowers is painted on a red document box, a folky mask is carved and painted and a wooden folk art horse pull-toy once entertained the youngsters in the house. Mocha and redware pieces are in various shapes, and figural sewing smalls were favorites of Nan’s.

“Even though things were in the shop it did not mean that they were for sale,” Joshua said, indicating that objects in the office “were special to her and did not have a price.” Among those things, the second part of the auction, are three country store tables, a sign reading “Keep Off The Grass,” a French house bank, a carved Indian bust and a carved standing bear 34 inches tall, a mocha ball, miniature slantfront desk, collection of Shaker mirrors, Pearlware loving cup and the paint decorated, glazed door country secretary cupboard and contents.

Inventory from the shop will be the final portion of the auction and include paint decorated blanket boxes, chests of drawers and cupboards, a decorated bed from Paris, Maine, Federal dining table, theorems on both paper and velvet, Maine dressing table, sets of plates, stacks of platters, pantry boxes, hanging shelves in old green paint, lamps and lighting, sandpaper pictures, stuffed animals including Steiff, folk art doll with carved wooden head, yellowware bowls and many more things.

This list is only a fraction of the pieces Nan collected to sell in her shop and to enjoy in her home. The auction can be previewed online at www.gurleyauctions.com and more information is available from 207-229-0403.