DOUGLASS, Kan. – The large and eclectic collection of Virginia and the late Dr. Jimmie Downing will be sold on Saturday, July 11th, at the grand opening of Woody Auction's new facility located at 120 East 3rd Street in Douglass, about 35 miles southeast of Wichita and a half-block from the firm's main offices. The auction will get underway right at 9:30 a.m. Central time.

“The Downings were widely known among auction-goers for years and they attended many of my auctions,” said Jason Woody of Woody Auction. “They were a spirited couple who had a competitive nature in acquiring fine quality items. Dr. Downing passed away in 2002, and now Virginia Downing has made the decision to move into smaller quarters and sell her collection.”

After Jimmie's passing, Mrs. Downing surrounded herself with beautiful French Art Glass and American Brilliant Cut Glass pieces, paintings, vintage quilts, pottery, Victorian furniture and more. She is selling these many items the way they were acquired – through public auction and without reserve. “This really will be a grand event as well as a grand opening,” Mr. Woody said.

In all, 537 lots will come up for bid, with a diverse selection that will range from an original Native American rug (or blanket), 60 inches by 44 inches, decorated with Yei figures and made around 1940 in the Lukuchukai region of northeastern Arizona; to an original wooden German doll house filled with German hand-painted wardrobes, dining tables, a chest, a cradle and a bed.

The artwork category will feature an original woodcut into lithograph print by the Surrealist master Salvador Dali, 30 inches by 24 inches (framed) and titled Dantes & Servant, complete with a 1974 certificate of authenticity; and a Rookwood art pottery vellum scenic plaque, artist signed “L.A.” (L. Asbury), 6 ¼ inches by 9 inches (sight) and titled Autumn on the frame’s back.

The Downings loved fine art glass and art pottery, and were especially drawn to vases. The sale will feature signed Daum Nancy French cameo art glass vases (one 19 ½ inches tall and showing a winter scene, another 17 inches tall with a carved floral décor with enamel highlights); and a marked Weller Hudson art pottery vase, 8 ½ inches tall, signed “England” with a floral décor.

Additional vases will include a 16 ½ inch tall signed Galle French cameo three-color pedestal art glass vase with an unusual and striking color combination; a 15 ½ inch signed Hawkes American Brilliant Cut Glass trumpet vase in the Queens pattern with an extra thick blank; and a real nice 4 ½ inch by 5 inch Royal Flemish two-handled squat vase with three-color segmented background.

Rounding out a few more expected star lots of the category will be a pair of Weller Sicard art pottery vases (one 10 inches tall, cylindrical in shape and with a large thistle design, the other a 4 ¾ inches tall twist vase with super iridescent background in a clover design); and a 12 ¾ inch signed Le Gras French Cameo art glass oval vase having a carved holly branch with red berries.

Silver offerings will feature an outstanding 94-piece sterling silver set of Francis I flatware by Reed & Barton, totaling 154 troy ounces of silver; and an adorable 3 inch by 3 inch marked Pairpoint figural silverplate napkin ring featuring two rabbits.

Decorative accessories with a jewel theme will include a 3 inch by 5 inch unmarked Wavecrest puff-mold round hinged art glass jewel box in pink, blue and white tones with an elaborate tapestry lid; and a beautiful 8 inch by 9 inch Moser-style art glass jewel casket, amethyst with extensive enamel floral décor and set on an elaborate Meriden silverplate base – a must-see lot.

Rounding out just a few of the day’s expected star lots are a Royal Dux figural centerpiece bowl (#1119, with the pink triangle mark), with a scene of a man seated on a rock ledge holding a woman in the water, 11 ½ inches by 12 inches; and an 11 ½ inch tall Majolica pitcher, marked “Brownfield & Son,” made circa 1870s, with a double dolphin head shape with strong colors.

Internet bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com (bidders are encouraged to register a day or two ahead). Absentee bids will also be accepted. Absentee bids should be submitted with a written statement indicating the amount of the bid and all bids must be received no later than Thursday, July 9th. Bids may be fax’d to (316) 746-2145, or e-mailed to info@woodyauction.com.

A preview will be held on Friday, July 10th, from 4-6 p.m. CST. As for lodging, the Holiday Inn Express in Augusta, Kansas is the recommended facility. To book space, call 316-775-5979. Moving forward, Woody Auction will hold regular sales in the new Douglass location, but for some of its larger events it will also use the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, Mo.

Woody Auction is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, an estate or a collection you may call them at (316) 747-2694. Or, you can send them an e-mail, to info@woodyauction.com. To learn more about Woody Auction and the July 11th auction, please visit www.woodyauction.com, or log on to www.liveauctioneers.com/browse/seller/woodyauction.

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