Stevens Auction will Hold A New Years Antique Auction Jan 14 and 15 Online and Live

Aberdeen, MS, USA, January 12, 2022 -- Beautiful carved and root built Thai furniture from a Texas estate, antique furnishings from an estate home in Eutaw, Alabama, and items decommissioned from a private museum in New Orleans will all come up for bid the weekend of January 14th and 15th by Stevens Auction Company, online and live in the Aberdeen gallery at 609 North Meridian Street.

The Friday, January 14th session, starting at 4 pm Central time, will feature items from the estate of Philip Parker (1946-2000), who dotted his east Texas Greek Revival home with antiques and other pieces. Mr. Parker owned an oil field services company in Iraq and became a world traveler. He made frequent trips to Thailand, where he purchased wonderful furniture items.

These will include highly detailed carvings on a teakwood tree trunk that have to be seen to be believed. Carved animals, birds and flowers cover every inch of this 48 inch by 96 inch creation (estimate: $5,000-$30,000). A companion piece is the large, carved teakwood stump with detailed monkeys, elephants, alligators, water buffalo, deer and more (estimate: $5,000-$10,000).

What Dwight Stevens of Stevens Auction Company described as “the most unbelievably carved teakwood bench we’ve ever seen” – with an eagle, an elephant, a monkey, snakes, deer and more, 9 feet long – has an estimate of $5,000-$10,000, while a large carved teakwood bench with elephants on all sides, 36 inches tall and 77 inches in length, should command $3,000-$6,000.

Speaking of elephants, a solid teakwood, life-size baby elephant, 64 inches tall, is expected to finish at $2,500-$5,000. Also, a fantastic framed teakwood Thailand village scene, all carved from one piece of wood, 90 inches in length, should bring $5,000-$10,000. Mr. Parker planned to install these and other pieces in a large retirement home, but his life was cut short by cancer.

Day 2, on Saturday, January 15th, has a start time of 10 am Central and will contain an eclectic mix of merchandise in a wide range of categories. The Chillcutt home was filled with gorgeous antique furnishings, including many fine 19th century Old Paris porcelains. Also offered will be cast iron benches, tables, large garden pots, clocks, chandeliers, 19th century lighting and more.

The day’s two expected top lots are both vehicles, very different from one another. The first is a vintage 1935 Ford fire engine, completely restored, with everything intact and running perfectly (estimate: $15,000-$30,000). The other is a lovely 2006 Mercedes Benz SL hardtop convertible, white with a panoramic roof and just 75,000 miles on the odometer (estimate: $15,000-$20,000).

A spectacular and truly palace-size antique Persian rug from a prominent antebellum home in Columbus Mississippi, 14 feet 8 inches by 24 feet 8 inches, in good condition with even wear, has an estimate of $10,000-$20,000. Also, an antique Persian hand-knotted rug in fabulous condition, woven circa 1920, 9 feet 8 inches by 12 feet 10 inches, should hit $2,000-$5,000.

Clocks will be led by a clean, original shelf clock made by Alexander Fleig, circa 1880, with a rare and unusual hunting scene and 8-day brass movement (estimate: $5,500-$8,500). Also sold will be a circa 1880 George III style gilt bronze mounted triple fusée mahogany musical bracket clock, very heavy, made by J. W. Benson of Ludgate Hill in London (estimate: $2,000-$4,000).

Grandfather clocks will feature a mahogany clock signed Waltman with reeded column front, 91 ½ inches tall (estimate: $2,000-$3,500); a circa 1930 5-tube hall clock by Herschede, Model 524, 87 inches tall, with three weights, tubular chime movement and a mahogany cabinet (estimate: $1,500-$2,500); and a circa 1820 cherry grandfather clock with hand-poured weights, 93 inches tall, in good condition (estimate: $1,500-$2,500). Other clocks, large and small, will also be sold.

The furniture category will be abundant and will feature a circa 1800 walnut French cabinet with display hutch, mortised together in great condition, 91 inches tall by 57 inches wide (estimate: $2,500-$5,000); and a walnut rococo secretary with beautiful carving all over and a pull-out fitted desk in drawer, impressive at 101 inches tall by 46 inches wide (estimate: $2,000-$4,000).

Just a few more of the many fine furniture pieces in the auction include the following:

- A walnut Victorian one-drawer wardrobe with barley twist, a beveled mirror, carving on the door, a nice birds-eye maple interior and original brass pulls (estimate: $800-$1,500).

- A period flame mahogany Empire sideboard with column front, claw feet, 11 drawers and two doors, in fine condition, 62 inches tall, 64 inches wide (estimate: $1,500-$2,500).

- Carved walnut Victorian etagere with marble top and carved heads, 102 inches tall and an early 19th century Sheraton sideboard-desk combination (both estimated: $1,500-$2,500).

Decorative accessories will feature a pair of astral lamps with prisms, original shades and bronze base, signed Cornelius (estimate: $1,500-$3,000); an early 19th century Oriental vase with minor chips, 18 inches tall and 9 inches in diameter (estimate: $1,000-$3,000); and a pair of Old Paris figural mantel vases with some loss of gold paint, 19 inches in height (estimate: $500-$1,000).

Mirrors will include a large European Victorian pier mirror with heavy carving and gargoyles, and a base with a marble top, 9 feet 4 inches tall by 55 inches wide (estimate: $1,500-$2,500); a walnut Victorian over-the-mantel mirror with gold sizing and other gold decorations, 83 inches tall by 68 inches wide (estimate: $1,200-$2,000); and a Victorian over-the-mantel mirror in a gold gilded frame with original mirror and gesso work top and bottom (estimate: $1,000-$2,000).

Interesting and unusual items will include an all-original doctor’s buggy from 1890, in storage for the past 85 years, with pin strip and new canvas retractable roof (estimate: $2,000-$2,500); and two mechanical horse rides, both in working condition, one a white horse with black spots, the other a one-cent ride on a horse named “Sandy” (both carrying estimates of $1,500-$2,500).

Returning to furniture, beds and bedroom suites will feature a beautiful three-piece walnut Victorian bedroom suite with white marble tops and grapes carved into the crown (estimate: $2,000-$3,500); a queen-size mahogany poster bed with carved crown that bolts together, in fine shape (estimate: $1,000-$2,000); and a burl walnut Victorian Lincoln-style bed, 85 inches tall.

Tables will include a rococo rosewood turtle-top table with laminated insert and original sienna marble attributed to Meeks, in excellent condition (estimate: $1,200-$2,000); a unique and visually striking horn table made from cow horns (estimate: $2,500-$5,000); and a walnut Victorian marble-top parlor table made by Thomas Brooks (N.Y.) (estimate: $1,000-$2,000).

Sofas and chairs will feature an exceptional seven-piece rococo rosewood parlor set with an ornate crown, curved legs and new upholstery (estimate: $1,500-$2,500); ten Chippendale dining chairs with ball and claw feet (estimate: $1,500-$3,000); and a gold gilded French salon set with tapestry upholstery, comprising two arm and two side chairs and sofa (estimate: $1,000-$2,500).

Online bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com. An open house preview will be held at the gallery on Friday, January 14th, from 10 am until the start of the auction at 4 pm Central time.

New pictures are continually being added to the Stevens website (www.stevensauction.com), so interested parties are encouraged to check often for new additions and further information. For information not contained in the sales brochure, please feel free to call 662-369-2200 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Phone bids are welcome in addition to online and gallery bids.

Terms of payment are all major credit cards or pre-approved business or personal checks (with proper ID), or wire transfer. A 15 percent buyer’s premium will be applied to all purchases, with an extra 3 percent processing fee for credit cards. A sales tax will be charged as well, except for those bidders with a valid state resale number. Light refreshments will be served on auction day.

To learn more about Stevens Auction Company and the two-day New Year’s Antique Auction on January 14th and 15th, visit www.stevensauction.com.

John Powers Named Martinizing VP of Franchising

Clean Franchise Brands (CFB), the largest dry cleaning and laundry company on the planet, recently named John Powers as the vice president of franchising for Martinizing Dry Cleaning. Powers took on the role after CFB acquired Martinizing in Spring 2021.

As vice president of franchising, Powers will lead efforts to recruit new Martinizing Dry Cleaning franchise owners in the U.S. and abroad. Part of that initiative includes the acquisition of independent dry cleaners and laundromats to be converted to Martinizing locations.

“We are delighted to have John in this role. His experience with the Martinizing brand and his more than two decades in franchising make him an invaluable asset as we begin to sell Martinizing franchises throughout the US and internationally,” said Kevin Dubois, CEO of Clean Franchise Brands.

Powers began with Martinizing in 2018. Prior to that, he was part of the corporate teams for such franchises as Ruby Tuesdays, BD’s Mongolian Grill and Molly Maid.

“CFB’s acquisition of Martinizing has been a game changer in so many ways and the timing could not be better,” said Powers. “The pandemic has led many independent dry cleaners to sell or retire. With the resources that CFB can offer, prospects can buy a franchise with a set location and customer base already there. I’m feeling very fortunate for this opportunity at this point in time.”

Powers, a graduate of SUNY-Cortland, resides in the greater Detroit area with wife Deborah. The couple have two adult children, Brooklynn and Lauren.

Martinizing Dry Cleaning was not the only franchise CFB acquired in Spring 2021. CFB also added 1-800-Dry Clean, Pressed4Time and Dry Cleaning Station in Spring 2021. Combining those franchises with the franchise CFB already owned, Lapels Dry Cleaning, gave CFB more than 400 locations in seven countries including Canada, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and Peru—making it the largest dry cleaning company on the planet!

“The pandemic has been a very difficult time for dry cleaners. Many local independents have not survived. Yet recent industry reports indicate a strong trend in growth for the dry cleaning and laundry industry,” said Kevin Dubois, CFB CEO. “We are very excited to have finalized the FDD for Martinizing Dry Cleaning and make that opportunity available to prospects literally across the globe.”

According to a report put out by Research and Markets, “The dry-cleaning and laundry services market is poised to grow by $13.62 billion during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of almost five percent.”

For complete information on the Martinizing Dry Cleaning franchise opportunity, visit martinizingfranchise.com. To schedule an information call about the Martinizing opportunity, call 248-654-7009 or go to https://calendly.com/martinizing/introduction.

About Martinizing Dry Cleaning:
As part of Clean Franchise Brands, Martinizing is among the largest U.S. based dry-cleaning franchise systems with more than 400 locations in seven countries including Canada, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and Peru. Martinizing was founded in 1949 and remains a trusted, iconic name in dry cleaning in the U.S. For more information, visit https://www.martinizing.com/.

About Clean Franchise Brands, LLC:
Based in Naples, Florida, Clean Franchise Brands, LLC is now the owner of the following brands: Lapels Dry Cleaning; Martinizing Dry Cleaning; 1-800-DryClean, Pressed4Time, Dry Cleaning Station and Bizziebox. Collectively, the brands have 500 plus stores in 40 states and nine countries. Clean Franchise Brands corporate offices are located at 711 5th Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102.

For more information, go to https://calendly.com/martinizing/introduction or contact John Powers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

New Book by Don Sampen

New York, NY – ADELAIDE BOOKS is proud to present the latest work by Don Sampen – The Whims of War

 

THE WHIMS OF WAR is an historical novel taking place in Philadelphia between 1775 and 1780. Unlike other accounts of this period, it tells the story of a family businessman drawn reluctantly into taking sides in the Revolutionary War. In the process it explores both conflicts among family members and friendships between ideological foes.

 

Don Sampen is an appellate attorney in Chicago who writes for a living. He has written many articles, book chapters, and briefs in court on non-fiction topics. The WHIMS OF WAR is his debut novel of American historical fiction. Two considerations inspired Don to write the novel. One was an interest he developed to write the kind of historical novel he would want to read. The writing turned out to be a labor of love. He is convinced, moreover, that others will enjoy the final product as well. As a second reason, Don wanted to present a not-so-simple picture of the American Revolution, an event of huge historical significance that many people take for granted. He tells the story from the perspective of a business and family man, in a city, Philadelphia, whose citizens were conflicted over the prospect of independence.

 

Title:  The Whims of War
Author:  Don Sampen
Publisher: Adelaide Books
Publisher Website: https://adelaidebooks.org/
Publisher Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ISBN:   978-1955196819
Price:  $ 22.30
Page Count: 460  pages
Formats: paperback

Description of the company: ADELAIDE BOOKS LLC is a New York based independent company dedicated to publishing literary fiction and creative nonfiction. It was founded in July 2017 as an imprint of the Adelaide Literary Magazine, with the aim to facilitate publishing of novels, memoirs, and collections of short stories, poems, and essays by contributing authors of our magazine and other qualified writers.

New Book by Eugene Christy

New York, NY – ADELAIDE BOOKS is proud to present the latest work by Eugene Christy – The Isle of the Blest

They say you can't judge a book by its cover. The novel you're holding in your hand right now proves precisely that point. It's not about stone statues. It's not a sentimental depiction of an Ireland wished for by American tourists, German fly-fishermen on vacation, and Italian industrialists looking to buy a castle for a second home. In fact, you might even find the title of this story, The Isle of the Blest, more than highly ironic. For this novel is the fifth and final installment in author Eugene Christy's foundational and innovative series, The Twentieth Century Quintet, and it tells the story of Tony LaStoria's grandson, Nick Petrovich, and his beloved Irish sweetheart Sheila Blake, during the year of Internment. It is, in fact, an eyewitness account of that unforgettable chapter of The Troubles, which began exactly fifty years ago this year: the heartbreaking story of two young people in love, and how and why they are forced to confront the searing realities of that troubled time, and along the way, to learn perhaps the real meaning of The Isle of the Blest, a story which should not be forgotten today.

What readers are saying:

On Vol. 1, Arrivederci New York: With the tenderness of a poet, Christy initiates the reader into this epic journey by expertly unfolding the first chapter of a young man's courageous belief that he can find what we have all come to know as the American Dream. David W. Berner, author of Things Behind the Sun

Vol. 2, My Son The American: A literary gem just waiting to be discovered . . . This isn't a history lesson but a life lesson with the story told the same way as if you were regularly having tea with a best friend and learning more and more about that friend's life . . . Shawn R.

Vol 3, The Heart of the Century: His account of the historical events they live through feels to the reader like a real time experience, due to the intimacy he creates with his fictional family. Jeffrey R., Pioneer Valley Writers' Workshop

Vol. 4, The Education of Nicholas Petrovich: As we go on this remarkable adventure in Eugene Christy's 4th novel, it is an extremely powerful story that will keep you captivated at all times. Linda M.

The Twentieth Century Quintet, as a series, from various readers:

Can't wait to find out what happens next! . . . Just started reading it and I can't put it down! . . . Looking forward to the rest in the series coming out. A true look into the lives of real people making their way in America . . . there's an animal exuberance in Gene Christy's storytelling that makes you want to keep reading, from one trial and adventure to the next, all the way to the end.

 

Title:  The Isle of the Blest
Author: Eugene Christy
Publisher: Adelaide Books
Publisher Website: https://adelaidebooks.org/
Publisher Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ISBN: 978-1956635003
Price:  $27.30
Page Count:  604 pages
Formats: paperback

Description of the company: ADELAIDE BOOKS LLC is a New York based independent company dedicated to publishing literary fiction and creative nonfiction. It was founded in July 2017 as an imprint of the Adelaide Literary Magazine, with the aim to facilitate publishing of novels, memoirs, and collections of short stories, poems, and essays by contributing authors of our magazine and other qualified writers.

Part 2 of The John Nelson Collection Grosses 1 million at Andrew Jones Auctions December 12th

Part 2 of The John Nelson Collection, Sold December 12th, Grosses $1.1 million at Andrew Jones Auctions in Los Angeles

Downtown Los Angeles, CA, USA, December 16, 2021 -- Andrew Jones Auctions had great expectations going into Part 2 of the John Nelson Collection, held December 12th. After all, Part 1, in October, more than doubled its presale estimate to total $1.6 million. Part 2 did not disappoint, as 18th century European style from England to Italy led the 271-lot white glove auction to a $1.1 million gross.

“We welcomed many new faces to our gallery for the busy auction preview for Part II of the John Nelson Collection,” said Andrew Jones, president and CEO of Andrew Jones Auctions. “The word was spreading about the rare and unique works being offered, and collectors didn’t want to miss out. It was like turning back the clock to the halcyon days of antique auctions.”

Following are highlights from the auction. All prices quoted here include the buyer’s premium.

The top lot of the day was an elegant George I chinoiserie decorated cabinet on later stand that fetched $27,500, almost seven times its presale estimate. Also, an impressive pair of 20th century Louis XVI style gilt bronze and cut glass 16-light chandeliers lit up the room for $23,750, while a monumental mid-18th century Italian rococo giltwood mirror found a new home for $12,500.

Fine art was led by a set of four English chinoiserie panels that realized $17,500 and six Italian School oils depicting the battle of Vaslui, where Stephen III of Moldavia defeated the Ottoman commander Hadım Suleiman Pasha. Two large Italian Carrara marble busts of classical women made $22,500, while a pair of life-size Italian white painted models of seated lions hit $16,250.

Notable and unusual was a Continental Neoclassical style oak center table, with architectural lines conceived as an octastyle Doric temple. It sold for $20,000, ten times its low estimate. An Italian model of the Duomo di Milano fetched $8,125, and a pair of lovely Louis XIV style gilt bronze mounted Chinese crackle glazed celadon porcelain cache pots left the room for $10,000.

The future series of sales for The John Nelson collection will be a celebration of the unerring eye of a more than 50-year Los Angeles design and antiques institution – and the man behind John Nelson Antiques. The collection features Chinese porcelain, paintings, French decorative arts, sculpture, antiquities, Grand Tour objects, European furniture, mirrors, chandeliers and more.

Andrew Jones Auctions’ next event will be DTLA Collections & Estates to be held Wednesday, January 12th, 2022. The sale will consist of 350 lots of antiques, design, Chinese works of art, accessories and more. Part 3 of the John Nelson Collection will be held on February 20th, 2022.

To learn more about Andrew Jones Auctions and the DTLA Collections & Estates auction, as well as Part III of the John Nelson Collection, slated for January 12 and February 20, respectively, visit www.AndrewJonesAuctions.com. Updates are posted often. Andrew Jones Auctions can be reached by telephone at (213) 748-8008, or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About Andrew Jones Auctions:
Opened in the summer of 2018, Andrew Jones Auctions is a full-service fine art and antiques auction house specializing in the liquidation of estates and collections featuring fine art, antiques and collectibles. The firm understands market trends and has foresight for the 21st century. The highly experienced staff has a wealth of knowledge with international savvy, having worked for many years at major international auction houses in North America and Europe, sourcing property from all corners of the United States. Andrew Jones Auctions’ sales are diverse and eclectic, and feature fine diamonds to contemporary art, spanning from antiquity to today. To learn more about Andrew Jones Auctions, please visit www.AndrewJonesAuctions.com.

Andrew Jones Auctions can be reached by telephone at (213) 748-8008, or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..