Mark Taaffe is the funniest, most engaging auctioneer I've ever met (he appears in thin veneer in my story Craphound). His old weekly junk auctions in Toronto were a high-point in my life there — the bargains were incredible, matched only by Mark's florid description of his wares. Now he's back at it, with a really promising-looking estate auction in Toronto next Saturday (dig those lists of lots!):
Saturday, September 18, 11 A.M.
26 Bernice Ave., Sunnylea
(off Prince Edward Dr., south of Bloor, Etobicoke)
Large contents/estate auction for Mr. Eric Belzar, 50 year resident at this address. Antique furniture, numerous collectibles, vintage tools, taxidermy items, etc.
Furniture to include 9 pc. walnut dining room set c. 1930, incl. china cabinet and buffet, in good cond.; Stanley upright quarter sawn oak piano, good cond.; nice old tea trolley w. glass insert tray; waterfall/classic glazed china cabinet; 9 well maple filing cabinet; armoire door; grain painted organ stool; rock maple platform rocker; 1960s moderne black vinyl and zebra stripe couch and chair w. end tables; cloverleaf walnut occasional table and other small occasional tables; kitchen table and chairs, orig. vinyl, formica top; mission style desk; oak bureau w. mirror and harp; oak lamp table; beveled hall mirror w. cast iron hooks; lg. oak beveled mirror, old; 2 refinished 9 pane mirrors, pine frames; 1920s wall clock; pr. Spanish revival table lamps w. lustres; deco area rug; also double garage packed w. complete and partial furniture items, legs, tops, chairs, and handyman specials.
Collectibles to include vintage Scot. canvas hip waders; German military helmet; Kilman's Red tricolour neon bar sign; vintage scrap books 1945; rustic oil by Etobicoke artist D. Staffin; spelter elk statue; moose hoof ashtray; 2 sets antelope horns; stuffed baby crocodile; powder horn; veterinary syringe; some vintage fishing lures and bow hunting accessories; cheese barrel; a few vintage radios; lg. 10 gallon glass lab quality carboyle; brass printers rule w. agate points; Vict. ornate sheaf clip; vintage tins, cigar boxes, bottle, crates, etc.; beer steins; asst. glass, china, serving pieces incl. iris and herringbone bowl; some cutlery; 2 Vict. ewers, terra cotta w. enamel transfers and the other pewter mounted lid; 2 nice log cabin quilts, other linens, textiles, drapings; carved animals and wildlife themed décor; household and kitchen items, box lots of knick-knacks and great flea market stuff.
Tools to include 14" General band saw; 2 bench vices, 1 XL; hand held electric grinder and reciprocal sander; 6 vintage block and steel planes; Stanley USA line level and #71 ½ plane (partial?); tons of hand tools, all sorts; crate of natural burls; asst. vintage hardware. Tons more still to be sorted and pulled out of shadowy corners! Also free kittens to good homes!
A full contents sale, high end stuff and tons of box lots too! House sold, no agents please. Terms: cash only. Auctioneer: Mark Taaffe. Inquiries 416-998-5992.
Update: Amber sez: "just thought I'd point out that
in your auction blog post, you mention 2x that the sale will be happening on
Sunday, but then in the actual 'clipping' of the auction article, it says
Saturday the 18th."
