The bidding was hot and the day was cool as the annual Wilson Auction got started Sunday at Estate Mon Bijou. Collectors of West Indian Antique furniture along with interested lookers were out in numbers.
With 132 registered bidders and lots of on-lookers interested in the antiques, china, crystal, art and collectibles that were going on the block, it was a full house While most in attendance were Crucians, St. Thomas was represented as well as the U.S. mainland.
The two "prize pieces" of furniture up for grabs were a four-poster bed with elegant carving, and a unique corner cupboard from Curacao. The bed fetched an unprecedented $11,000 while the Whim Museum acquired the cupboard for a reserve bid of $9,000. There were several hundred lots to be auctioned and by 5 p.m. there were still several to go, however this reporter had to get the last Eagle home!
Spotted during the day were, Philip Sturm and Sean Krivatch from St. Thomas, Twila Wilson, Michael Connors, Kathy Newman, Kobie Nichols, Murray Douglas, Jeannie Kaplan, Nancy and Tony Ayer, George and Cindy Tyler, Sara Wilson, Lorette Russenberger, "Big Beard", Count and Mrs. Rasmussen, Jervelle Larsen, Judith Berry-Magras, Amorita Vegas, Bob White, Janie Kendricks, Mary Dena, Lisa Moorehead and Cheryl Wade of Saint Croix.
The well-attended event is proof of the rising interest in West Indian Antiques, and the quality items for bid prove that there are still things to be had. The annual Whim Plantation Museum Auction is coming up March 5. Don't miss it!
