Date: Fri 24-Sep-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

Withington-Hilsboro-auctioneer

Full Text:

Dick Withington

(with cuts)

HILLSBORO, N.H. -- September marks the 50th anniversary of the Richard W.

Withington, Inc, and there are no signs of slowing down. In this volatile,

changing auction market, the old standards continue to prove tried and true.

The phones ring constantly with individuals who wish to sell at auction and

Withington continues to be one of the most recognized names in the world of

the country auctioneer.

With the auction business driven by high-tech marketing, phone bids, on-line

auctions on eBay, Withington respects and rewards his dedicated following by

not accepting phantom bids or phone participation the day of the sale.

"Many of my customers have been coming to my auctions for years and come from

great distances and they should have the benefit of competing on a level

playing field," says the auctioneer. "An auction with 50 warm bodies and 150

left bids just doesn't seem fair."

After a sale, Withington prides himself in settling up accounts by the

following day and consignor checks are usually mailed within 48 hours.

"How many auction houses use the proceeds from a sale of others' goods to

generate a little gravy for 30 days in the form of interest at the bank? I'm

an honest man and the money belongs to my consignors so I make sure they get

it as fast as possible," he says. Having to wait for payment on left or phone

bids also contributes to unnecessary delays, he points out.

"It's been a hell of a summer! We've been driving all over New England and New

York picking up merchandise," says Withington. Ever since Dan Hingston

resigned and Dick, Jr, moved to Atlanta, Dick, Sr, has been trying to handle

everything himself. From phone calls and house calls, photo shoots,

advertising and promotion, to cataloging and preview set-ups, he has done it

all this summer. The only thing he hasn't had to do is put up the tents

himself (yet).

Withington confesses, "It was a lot easier when I was 30 years old."

This summer, Withington had two on-site auctions, one in Granville, N.Y., and

another at one of the few remaining untouched old houses in Mt Vernon, N.H.

With a twinkle in his eye, he says, "I love an on-site sale. You don't make as

much profit, the costs are greater and there are usually problems because of

an unfamiliar location. But the people love a country auction and I just love

to sell!"

Attendance at the Mt Vernon sale was beyond capacity and prices realized were

about 30 percent more than anticipated. After selling from 10 am to 4 pm, with

no lunch and no break, Withington ended the auction just as auctioneers used

to do: selling at the open door of the barn. A good-sized crowd stayed until

the end, just waiting for the next item to be pulled out.

Withington reminisced, "It was like old times. We used to sell without a tent

on the front stoop of the house. We would arrange a dozen or so key pieces on

the lawn, but the rest of the day we sold whatever came out of the house -- no

preview! The crowds used to stay longer, not wanting to miss anything.

"And what a day, sometimes we'd sell from 9 am until dark, put up lights and

auction until 8 or 9 pm -- with no breaks, no lunch or dinner!"

The auction at Hillsborough Center on August 26 was a diverse mix of

everything from yellowware, ironstone and early glass to Orientalia and Art

Deco. The North Field sales are a never-know-what-to-expect type of sale.

"When you clean out a house you find everything from antique to modern and the

garden tools need to be sold along with the Tiffany silver, so we do it all!"

The center is a most wonderful place to spend the day, have a bite of lunch

and buying a few treasures in the process.

"Contrary to popular belief, everyone can afford something at one of my

auctions. The quality estates we sell have lots of good accessories that sell

so reasonably," said Withington. "It's a great place to buy when furnishing a

home or cottage." At this sale, Richard T. Gardner, an auctioneer from

Leominster, Mass., assisted Withington by selling for a bit. Withington fondly

remembered working with Gardner's parents many years ago. Actually, Withington

has worked with practically everyone at one time or another. Many familiar

names in the antiques world got their spark from Withington Auctions.

On September 23, Withington will conduct the 2,335th auction at his Main Barn

in Hillsborough Center.

"As I look around at the figured maple highboy, the 50-plus pieces of

historical Staffordshire [Hudson River Views], the Remington bronze, the oil

paintings, the saw buck table, etc, I can't believe how lucky I've been to

have had the pleasure of doing this for a living.

"Frankly, most people remember the wonderful antiques that have crossed the

auction block under my tents, but more so, I remember my customers, my

associates, my friends who have been with me over the years, and I love them

all."

Dick Withington runs circles around people half his age (81) and attributes

his longevity to good genes. His mother, Edith Nelson Withington Kyle, of

Wellsweep Antiques, was in business until she was 96, and his brother, Nelson,

ran his company in Brattleboro until he was 91. Withington keeps active, eats

a good breakfast, rarely eats lunch, sleeps five or six hours a night and

takes one aspirin a day and most importantly, has a positive attitude.

"For me, the excitement of the business is not in the money; it's the people

and the event," the auctioneer says as he celebrates 50 years in the business.

"As long as people want me to sell, I'll continue to do what I love best.

After all, I never felt better in my life!"