Grand estate auction fills Victoria ballroom
It's no ordinary estate sale.
The grand Crystal Ballroom of Victoria's Empress Hotel is the venue for a grand auction Saturday.
The 733 items in the Ross Estate auction are the personal treasures of Anne-Lee Ross, who died in 2007.
She was married to a member of the family that founded the world-famous tourist attraction, Butchart Gardens.
The items up for auction include fine arts, furnishings, china, jewellery, and even a collection of Valentine's cards from the 18th century.
Peter Boyle, the president of Lunds Auctioneer & Appraisers Ltd. told All Points West guest host David Lennam the preview has attracted many curious inquirers.
"I think they're somewhat a little overwhelmed by the volume," Boyle said.
The large size of the Ross Estate auction compelled Lunds to move the auction from their Fort Street auction house to the hotel.
Boyle is expecting particular interest in several paintings, as well as silver and jade pieces.
He says phone lines are set up to take international bids over $1,000.
The highest price estimate is for an oil painting on canvas signed by Alexis Harlamoff, a prominent 19th Century Russian painter. The painting, "Red Hair Beauty", is expected to attract bids of $30,000 to $50,000.
Meanwhile, the estimated price for a set of 12 silver dinner plates dated 1831 is more than $12,500 a plate.
Among the smallest items are a pair of golden thimbles, estimated at $100 to $150.
Boyle said he can't predict how much the items will ultimately sell for, but added, "you will not see these things again, I don't think."
