Why are many people intimidated by auctions? Admit it–deep inside you're afraid that you'll sneeze or blink and voila! you're heavily in debt for Van Gogh's "The Fields." It's almost like we fear that auction houses fill quotas by pouncing on the unsuspecting.
I started to wonder if there was a movie or TV show, way back in our collective dimly-lit, black-and-white past, that somehow contributed to this sense of unease. I googled "auction phobia" and eureka! someone had the answer. In episode 64 of the Dick Van Dyke show, "The Masterpiece," Dick attends an auction where he pulls on his earlobe, scratches his nose, and nods his head, all the while wondering who is pushing the bidding up so high until–you guessed it–he's declared the winner.
Relax. It doesn't work that way. But if you're feeling any queasiness at all, Doyle New York is running four free informal sessions called "How to Buy at Auction." They will cover all procedures and provide the most basic step-by-step instructions. (Hint: you raise your hand or paddle.)
In addition, Thursday night, October 4th, Doyle is offering a "New Collectors Evening" that will preview the exhibition of the Doyle+Design auction. There will be specialists to answer your questions, and there will be wine to calm any lingering Dick Van Dyke-induced auction phobia.
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