Major on-site estate auction slated for Oct. 9 in Litchfield, Conn. The estate of the late James B. Irwin, a longtime resident of Litchfield, will be sold Sunday, Oct. 9, in a two-session, on-site auction at Thunder Ridge Farms on Beach Street in Litchfield, Conn.
miles on the odometer, a pair of Suzuki dirt bikes, a 2-carat diamond ring and other estate jewelry, gold and silver coins, Oriental rugs, a wonderful selection of leather sofas and finely upholstered armchairs, sofas and love seats, kitchenware items and more.
There will be no Internet bidding for the auction, but phone and absentee bids will be accepted. Complimentary wine and cheese will be served during the auction.
The contents of the office building (Session I) will feature a nice conference table with a full complement of Hitchcock chairs, Mr. Irwin’s personal office desk and chairs, decorative wall hangings (to include Samurai-style encased swords and artwork), sculptures, file cabinets, oak benches and more. Between the home and office, around 35 Hitchcock chairs will be sold.
Prior to his death in 2009, Mr. Irwin was a fixture around Litchfield, with his horse farm, inn and other businesses. These included a company called Integrated Control Systems, Inc. (nicknamed IMPAC), and other businesses of an international nature. Originally from Florida, Mr. Irwin went from door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman to highly successful businessman.
A portion of the proceeds of the auction will go to benefit a charity Mr. Irwin started called the Irwin Foundation, which continues to operate in his name. A qualified educational charity, the Irwin Foundation is a sponsor of the Dublin Literary Award in Ireland, to benefit promising young authors (Mr. Irwin enjoyed dual citizenship in the United States and Ireland).
Mr. Irwin was best known for being the owner-operator of Thunder Ridge Farms, the host site of the estate auction and a large, 36-stall horse farm complete with riding paddocks; as well as the Litchfield Inn, which he had built himself and which still operates today (under new ownership). Mr. Irwin’s untimely passing left a large void in the Litchfield business community.
There will be plenty of free on-site parking for the auction (although visitors are asked to be considerate and not block anyone’s way). Bidders are also encouraged to bring their own boxes and packaging materials. For larger items, a pick-up time after the auction is over can be arranged. For winning phone and absentee bidders, Tim’s, Inc., recommends We Pack & Ship, located in nearby Stonington, Conn. For more information log on to www.woodalltransport.com.
Terms of the sale are $100 cash deposit for a bidder number (refundable upon return of the bidder number or purchase), a 15 percent buyer’s premium for cash (payable in full on the day of the auction), and an 18 percent buyer’s premium for known checks by Tim’s, Inc. No charge cards will be accepted, and there will be a $50 charge for any and all returned checks.
Admittance to the auction and preview will be in the form of a suggested $5 donation for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in memory of Peter W. Chaplulis, Tim’s late father. To date, Tim’s, Inc. has raised over $37,400 for the charity, which treats cancer patients regardless of their ability to pay. St. Jude Children’s
