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Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service

From the worthless to the priceless: Experts inspect a range of items at HOLM's appraisal fair

By Howard B. Owens
HLOM appraisals
Todd Jantzi, from Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service, talks with Gary Harkness and his wife, Debbie, about a lamp the couple brought into the HLOM appraisal event on Saturday.
Photo by Howard Owens.

It was indeed a bit like the set of an episode of PBS's Antiques Roadshow at the First Presbyterian Church of Batavia on Saturday, with local residents walking in carrying their treasures and experts giving sharing what they observed about the item while the owner awaited the verdict: Priceless or worthless.

There were items of little or no value, such as the windup Victrola, which is a great artifact but a common item in antique terms. Of keener interest to Todd Jantzi, the Bontrager's auctioneer who shared his judgment on a several items during the nearly daylong appraisal event that was a fundraiser for the Holland Land Office Museum, was the old shellac 78s the owner of the Victrola brought in.  Those are not common and, in fact, among the hardest records for collectors to find.

Many items, of course, were of middling value, like the mantle clock brought in by Crystal Rhinehart of East Bethany.

It was made by Ansonia, a well-known maker of clocks with a solid reputation, Jantzi told her.

Rhinehart said the clock had been in her family since it was new.

"This would have taken a little bit more funds to purchase it, so it probably would have kept better time than some other clocks," Jantzi said.  

Then he joked, "We usually only see these from the homes of the rich people in East Bethany." 

He valued it at $100 to $225 at auction.

Other experts on hand during the day were representatives from Cottone Auctions and Schultz Auctioneers.  A variety of items were brought in from musical instruments, such as a guitar, and pieces of art, such as a colorized 1880s etching of the famous duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton.

At the end of the day, Gary Harkness and his wife, Debbie, walked in with a bag of items for appraisal.  

The largest item was the one that came out of the bag first. It was a cast white metal lamp with two candle-shaped lights.  Harkness said it sits on his mantle as a night light.

It's from the 1920s or 1930s.

"No cracks, which is uncommon for that age," Jantzi said.

Harkness pointed out a small piece of metal missing, and Jantzi said, "But usually you'll see age cracks, and there's none here."

At auction, Jantzi said, $400, maybe $500. 

Then Jantzi picked up a scrimshaw-engraved bone card-carrying case and nudged a photographer, "You'll want to get a picture of this."

Above an etching of a patriotic woman was the inscription, "Col Emory Upton. 124 New York Vols." 

The other side was inscribed, "In much appreciation from U.S. Grant, Nov. 1863."  

Upton, of course, is the Batavia-born Civil War hero, who would become a general before the war's end, and whose likeless stands vigil at Main and Ellicott in the city.  Grant, a future president, would, in a few months' time from the date of the inscription, take over command of the U.S. military and lead the Union to victory over the traitorous southern states. 

Harkness said he bought the case about 25 years ago from a dealer in Canada for $600 or $700.  

Jantzi said it's such a rare item with such historical significance, he couldn't put a price on it.

"That is cool, Gary. That is cool," Jantzi said. "The only way you're gonna find out is to put it up for auction. That's the only way you'll ever find out, but you hate to get rid of it to find out."

Harkness said he's thought about a heritage auction, but, he said, "It's not going anywhere soon." 

The historical treasure has been displayed before at the Holland Land Office Museum, he said.

Kind of like a real episode of “Antiques Roadshow,” Harkness coming in at the end with Upton's card box from Grant, gave the day of appraisals its dramatic closing.

Harkness let a couple of volunteers hold the case, and one woman said, "Oh, my God" as she looked at it in awe.

"And you touched it," said the other. "You touched it." 

HLOM appraisals
Todd Jantzi holds a bone card-carrying case inscribed from U.S. Grant to Col. Emory Upton.
Photo by Howard Owens.
HLOM appraisals
Crystal Rhinehart and Todd Jantzi discuss a clock she brought in for appraisal.
Photo by Howard Owens
HLOM appraisals
Todd Jantzi
Photo by Howard Owens

Sponsored Post: Bontrager's is holding an online Hunting & Sportsmen's Auction with over 1000 lots

By Lisa Ace


Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service is holding an online Hunting & Sportsmen's Auction with over 1000 lots! Bid on rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, black powder, ammo, knives, hunting supplies, fishing tackle, mounts, scopes, lasers, sights and more.  A live preview will be held Tuesday, April 25th, 2 - 5 pm at Bontrager's Auction Center, 8975 Wortendyke Rd, Batavia, NY 14020. The auction will "soft close" April 25th beginning at 6 pm. Go to bontragerauction.com to view the catalog & photos, and place your bids.  

Sponsored Post: Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service hosts Genesee County tax foreclosure auction. Bid now

By Lisa Ace


Genesee County will sell at Public Online Auction 6 parcels of real estate which have been conveyed to the County by final judgment under tax foreclosure proceedings. This sale is ordered by the Genesee County Legislature and is in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the Real Property Tax Law. Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service is pleased to host this internet auction at bontragerauction.com. Potential bidders may call Todd Jantzi at Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service (585-343-4529) with any questions. 

 

Sponsored Post: Bontrager's online bidding is open for the County's tax foreclosure auction

By Lisa Ace


Genesee County will sell at Public Online Auction - 8 parcels of real estate which have been conveyed to the County by final judgment under tax foreclosure proceedings. This sale is ordered by the Genesee County Legislature and is in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the Real Property Tax Law. Individuals can view the properties online or bid any time by visiting bontragerauction.com or by clicking here

Photos: Roger Saile estate auction

By Howard B. Owens

Hundreds of people turned out to the first day, yes, just the first day, of a two-day auction fully of items that were on the farm property of Roger Saile.

The Saile farm has been in the family since the early 19th century, and many of the items kept in barns and outhouses are more than 100 years old.

There was also a collection of old trucks, a Model A, a plane, several tractors and farm equipment from the 19th century.

Saile, 90, passed April 30 as the result of a fire at his residence.

The auction continues at 9 a.m., Saturday, at 8056 Oak Orchard Road, Batavia. It is being conducted by Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service. For more information, click here.

More photos after the jump:

Cross that survived St. Joe's fire in 1970 up for auction

By Howard B. Owens

A bit of Batavia's history will be up for auction next Wednesday at Bontrager's Auction house on Wortendyke Road, Batavia: A cross that once adorned the old St. Joe's Church.

A fire on Aug. 18, 1970, destroyed the church and the Gilhooly family in Attica acquired the cross. The family has decided it's time to let somebody else care for the historic relic.

Pictured with the cross are Todd Jantzi, right, owner of Bontrager's, and one of his employees, Dave Harms, who was a young volunteer firefighter with East Pembroke in 1970.

Harms said he remembers the fire well. He and Gail Seamans were among the first on scene and manning a hose line.

Flames, he said, were jumping out of the bell tower and church windows. It's one of the most involved structure fires he's ever seen.

Along with East Pembroke, assisting Batavia City Fire Department, were Stafford, Oakfield, Elba and Bethany fire departments.

At the time of the fire, the church, built in 1864, was scheduled for demolition. The cause of the fire was never determined.

Sponsored Post: Bontrager to auction stunning A-frame home in Corfu

By Howard B. Owens

In an exclusive auction, Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service is offering this stunning A-frame-style house on a half acre wooded lot in Corfu.

The 2,784 sq. ft. home is located at 8858 Lover's Lane. 

It features four bedrooms, two baths and a 24x36 two-car garage, along with a fireplace, wood stove and hot tub.

The open house is from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday.

The auction is at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 2.

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