Estate of Dr. Frances C. Roberts to be sold Nov. 11 The estate of the late Dr. Frances Cabaniss Roberts, one of the founding faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, will be sold at a Nov. 11 estate sale by Stevens Auction in Aberdeen, Miss.
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - ESTATE OF DR. FRANCES C. ROBERTS, PLUS FIVE OTHER PROMINENT ESTATES, TO BE SOLD NOV. 11th BY STEVENS AUCTION IN ABERDEEN
(Aberdeen, Miss.) - The estate of the late Dr. Frances Cabaniss Roberts, one of the founding faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, plus five other prominent Southern estates, will all be sold in one colossal multi-estate sale to be held Saturday, November 11th, by Stevens Auction Company, with a starting time of 9 am.
“This will be our last sale of the year, and I don’t think it’s an understatement to say we’ve saved the best for last,” said Dwight Stevens, owner-auctioneer of Stevens Auction Company. “We’re packed to the rafters with unbelievable pieces of period furniture, important works by listed artists, and other fine antiques and collectibles.”
Period furniture pieces will include walnut Victorian half-tester beds; a matched pair of Empire half-size tester beds; three full-tester mahogany beds; a Victorian Rococo half-tester bed; a walnut banquet table; beautiful Victorian pier and over-the-mantel mirrors; a gorgeous cherry plantation desk; and numerous other rare Victorian pieces.
Also featured will be a nice selection of original paintings done by prominent Southern artists; a rosewood Knabe square grand piano; a Steinway concert grand piano; a large collection of 19th-century light fixtures; many nice old oil lamps; some fine, handmade wool rugs; and other assorted antiques and collectibles.
The sale will be held at 609 North Meridian Street in Aberdeen, Miss., one block north of the grounds of the Adams-French Mansion, still undergoing an extensive renovation after a June fire gutted much of the interior. The antebellum structure has for years served as a venue for many of Stevens Auction’s high-profile sales.
Dr. Roberts was so highly regarded that the Governor of Alabama proclaimed Saturday, May 14, 1988, as “Dr. Frances Cabaniss Roberts Day.” For thirty years (1950-1980), she taught at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She also initiated many successful historic preservation efforts in Huntsville and Madison County.
Many of the items that will come up for bid November 11th are antiques from Dr. Roberts’ Late Federal estate. Not surprisingly, a large crowd is expected. Reserved and special seating will be available, with advance arrangements. There will be a preview the evening before the sale, on Friday, November 10th, from 10 am to 7 pm.
Phone bids will be welcome, but all phone bids should be in by 5 pm on Friday before the sale. Auction information and new images of items to be offered are continually being updated on the firm’s website, www.stevensauction.com. For a free 16-page color catalog, you may call Stevens Auction at (662) 369-2200.
If traveling to Aberdeen for the sale, it’s advisable to make reservations at the Best Western Aberdeen Inn. The phone number is (662) 369-4343. Since lodging there is limited, another option is to contact the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau for a list of accommodations and restaurants. Columbus, Miss., is 23 miles from Aberdeen.
