Red Baron is 'Back By Popular Demand,' March 28-29 This past fall, rumors of the pending demise of Red Baron Antiques in Atlanta proved to be premature. To prove it, the firm will hold a huge 'Back By Popular Demand' auction this weekend, Mar. 28-29.
News-Antique.com - Mar 24,2009 - (ATLANTA, Ga.) – Mark Twain and Red Baron Antiques have something in common: reports of their demise were greatly exaggerated. In the case of Red Baron’s – the Atlanta-based auction house known for its thrice-annual themed extravaganzas – falsely reported rumors of its closing proved to be premature. A ‘Grand Finale’ sale was held late last year, after the firm’s owner was forced to take a break from the circus due to health concerns.
But that was then, and this is now. Robert Brown is back in the pink and so, evidently, is Red Baron’s. This coming weekend, the firm will hold a “Back By Popular Demand - This Is the Big One” auction (March 28-29, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. both days). Over 2,000 fresh-to-the-market lots in a broad array of categories will cross the block, to the delight of devotees thrilled at the return of the Red Baron.
Highlights of the sale promise to include the following:
Remarkable architectural antiques and stately home furnishings from around the world.
Original oil paintings dating as far back as the 15th century.
Fine collectibles, palatial garden statuary, fountains, gates and more.
“My health has returned and there is a place in the market for a leader and a risk-taker, especially in this economy,” Mr. Brown remarked. “Someone has to say go forward and keep going, and that someone might as well be me. The sky isn’t falling. The antiques business and the auction business are both old and strong. You just can’t quit. The worst thing a person can do right now is retreat or give up.”
The event will be held at Red Baron’s 80,000-square-foot showroom facility, located at 6450 Roswell Road in Atlanta. A preview party will be held on Friday, Mar. 27, from 7-10 p.m. A sumptuous catered dinner – typical for a Red Baron’s auction – will be held on Saturday night, Marc. 28, after the day’s session concludes. Then they’ll get up and do it all over again the following morning, at 9 a.m.
Rare and vintage automobiles are a trademark at just about every Red Baron’s auction that’s ever been held, and this one will be no exception. A few anticipated top earners include a classic 1957 Chevy Bel-Air convertible, fully restored and ready for the road; a 1950 Packard 23rd Series convertible; a 2004 Rolls Royce Phantom; a 2000 Lamborghini MOMO Edition (#9 of 12 made); and other collectible cars.
An expected star of the fine art category is an original oil painting by Dutch-born American artist Anthony Thieme (1888-1954), titled Rockport Fish Boats. The work was pictured in the authoritative book on Mr. Thieme, by the Rockport Art Association in Rockport, Mass., where the artist lived (he also maintained residences in Florida and California). Mr. Thieme was best known for his coastal landscapes.
Of historical significance is an extremely rare, signed Tiffany & Co. sterling silver presentation sword, with the blade inlaid in gold (circa 1890). The inscription reads, “In a contest
