On October 16, Country Style Auctions auctioneer Al Baker liquidated and sold out a complete 500-lot estate in less than four hours during a somber week in which his business partner and co-founder, Robert Klein, passed away suddenly.
Baker started with one dozen outside lots then moved quickly through the inside table and box lots of antiques and collectibles, including area and room-sized rugs, prints and tools. Intense bidding on an oak Edison Dictaphone, circa late 1800s, recorded a $300 final bid. The bidding action was all in the room, which had a crowd of about 75 in attendance.
The in-house bidders could not get enough Marvel and DC comic books. About 50 lots soon found themselves in other collections.
The excitement did not stop there. Soon after, all eyes were on the jewelry cases for 100 lots of vintage costume and silver jewelry. Bidding was fierce on a 1950s costume jewelry jade necklace that started at $45 and hammered down at $310. Again, the bidding action was in the room, as two gentlemen vied for the necklace. All the jewelry lots sold in less than one hour.
Then came the final 100 lots of pocket knives, military items, coins, first day covers, baseball cards and memorabilia, Beatles, BB-guns, toys, trains, Star Wars, Star Trek, antique tools and other miscellaneous estate antiques †all of which was concluded in about 45 minutes.
Baker credits the Missouri Auction School, which he attended with his late partner Klein, for his auctioneering chops, while his boxing background may have helped in terms of stamina. Baker, who is also well-known as an antique and vintage toy collector, said that while the loss of his partner is a tremendous blow, he is committed to carrying on the business.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium. For information, 631-648-9371.
