Date: Fri 07-May-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: LIZAM

Quick Words:

YardSale

Full Text:

The $100,000,000 Yard Sale

By Bob Jackman

BOSTON, MASS. -- On Thursday, April 29, a yard sale on an epic scale opened in

Boston, as more than a million architectural and garden items from Jorge

Epstein's Old Mansions were offered by Larry Richmond and Frank Kaminski. The

sale will continue through September.

Merchandise actually came from five businesses founded, owned and managed by

Epstein, who died in November 1998. The buildings and their contents were sold

to auctioneers Richmond and Kaminski.

Epstein pioneered architectural preservation with innovative approaches for

recycling and re-creating architectural elements. His businesses were located

in a series of connected buildings that spanned three city blocks, and

averaged three stories.

During his lifetime, Epstein limited access to the site. As one contractor

commented, "I've been coming here for ten years, and this is the first time

I've been in most of these rooms. I had no idea how much stuff he had."

The public, generally unaware of Epstein's assemblage, seemed thrilled with

the discovery. South End attorney Harvey Trask volunteered, "I feel like a

school kid playing hooky today. I'm trying to duplicate some of the ironwork

on a Victorian building in the South End. The doors and iron must be here -- I

just have to find them."

The scope of offerings boggles the mind. "The scale just leaves me

speechless," sighed dealer Herb Hough of Brookline Village Antiques.

There were at least 50,000 doors, perhaps as many as 100,000: no one really

knows. Windows come in every variation, from three stories high to stained

glass. There are over half a dozen mantel rooms. One 60 by 25 foot room is

packed with cast iron Victorian fireplace inserts. A couple dozen bronze

fountains are available. Eighteen-foot boards, from 12 to 18 inches wide, lean

in groups of five to 50 against various walls.

Both the public and antiques dealers also found some new merchandise

eye-opening. One building was devoted to casting reproductions of antique

architectural elements in cement, plaster, plastic, epoxies and other

materials. Another building was used to cut Victorian iron constructions into

individual motifs, and then reassembling them into tables, benches and

fountains.

"Now we know where some of that garden furniture at antiques shows has been

coming from," dealer Beverly Bernsten commented.

Jorge Epstein's son Norman provided assistance in pricing the merchandise.

Most members of the public enjoyed themselves and found a couple items to

purchase. Dealer response was less consistent. Lawn sculpture specialist Bob

Withington appeared to be among the most active buyers. New Hampshire dealer

John Dahlfred summarized, "I bought a few things, and I'm happy with what I

got." Other dealers appeared to make no purchases.

Until October 1, the sale will continue at Old Mansions, 1295 Blue Hill

Avenue, in Boston's Mattapan neighborhood.