ANTIQUE estate
AUCTION
Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 9 a.m.
609 N. Meridian Street, Aberdeen, MS 39730
one block north of the grounds of the
Adams-French Mansion
Parties interested in Dr. Robert's real estate property may learn more at this link.
Stevens Auction Company is
pleased to announce that the family of the late Dr. Frances Cabaniss Roberts
has commissioned us to offer at public auction the contents of Dr. Robert’s
estate. According to the Proclamation
of the Governor’s Office at the state capitol in the city of Montgomery,
Alabama, the Roberts family “has lived and served Huntsville and Madison County
(AL) for over 150 years,” and Dr. Roberts’ contributions to the city and the
university were such that it moved the Governor to proclaim Saturday, May 14,
1988 as Dr. Frances Cabaniss Roberts Day.
Dr. Roberts “was one of the founding faculty of the University of Alabama in
Huntsville and devoted thirty years (1950-1980) of unreserved and dedicated
service to the institution, applying the highest scholarly standards and
inspiring generations of students; and . . . her personal academic achievements
have been recognized by membership in the honor societies of Phi Kappa Phi,
Phil Alpha Theta, and Kappa Delta Pi; and . . . she has exhibited leadership in
myriad civic, community, and professional organizations, serving as the
initiator and inspiration for many of the major historic preservation efforts
in Huntsville and Madison County . . .”
This auction will include antiques from Dr. Roberts’ 1832 – Late Federal
estate, one of the oldest homes within the city of Huntsville, Alabama as well
as the contents of Bryn Bella, a Greek Revival Plantation Home, and one of the
most historic antebellum mansions in Columbus, Mississippi. Additionally, we
will offer specially selected items from three other prominent Southern
estates.
Bryn
Bella was built around 1850 for
William Sumpter Cox and his wife, Julia, by locally renowned architect, James
Lull. It was saved from total deterioration through the 1971 intervention of
the Historic Columbus Association. After considerable delay, the property was
acquired and restored structurally by the predecessors of the current owners,
Ambassador and Mrs. Robert Pugh. The latter continued the restoration and
decoration of Bryn Bella and furnished the home with magnificent, period style
antiques.
Originally named Cedar Ridge Mansion, Bryn Bella received its current
name from that of a country home in the vale of Clwyd in North Wales, and it
sits amid ten acres of lawn, stately trees, fruit trees, and blueberry bushes.
Bryn Bella is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been
an elegant and majestic addition to the Columbus, MS Pilgrimage in recent
years.
Some of the highlights of this auction will be: (1) Walnut, Victorian,
half-tester beds; (2) an Oil on Canvas of three children by Wilham Frye; (3)
beautiful Victorian pier and over-the-mantle mirrors; (4) a Rosewood, Knabe,
square, grand piano; (5) an unbelievable Cherry, Butler’s desk; (6) Wakefield
Rattan Co. wicker furniture; (7) a Rosewood, Victorian, half-tester bed by C.
Lee (with full draperies; (8) an Empire, Mahogany, full-tester, plantation bed
with full draperies; (9) a Federal, Mahogany breakfront, ca. 1820; and (10) an
Empire, Mahogany, banquet table that stretches to 12 feet. Further, the
inventory shall include numerous other, extremely rare Victorian pieces and
many works of art by listed artists.
Reserved and special seating will be available for those interested, with
advanced arrangements. Auction information and new images of items to be
offered are continually updated on our website. Please call our office at (662)
369-2200 for information not found online or for a free, 16-page color
brochure. Additionally, phone bids are welcome with advanced arrangements. Please have all phone bid requests in by
5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 10th as it is difficult to ensure appropriate
processing after that time. Refreshments will be available the day of the
auction in the Bids Inn Concession Stand.
The auction facility will be open for previews on Friday, November 10, 2006
from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., with refreshments. For accommodations in
Aberdeen, please call the Best Western Aberdeen Inn at (662) 369-4343. However,
lodging is limited, and we additionally recommend reviewing a list of
accommodations and restaurants in Columbus, MS by calling the Columbus
Convention and Visitor's Bureau at (662) 329-1191. Columbus is only 23 miles
from Aberdeen.
Terms: Cash, All major credit cards or pre-approved check. All sales final
with no warranty expressed or implied. Announcements made day of auction take
precedence over all written material. A 10% Buyers Premium charged on the total
purchase price. Not responsible for accidents.
STEVENS
AUCTION COMPANY
M.S. A.L. #349
View items to be auctioned!
To read the Proclamation of the Governor’s Office
To read more about Dr. Roberts
To view more photos of Bryn Bella
John Dwight Stevens, Auctioneer