A newly formed firm of Midwest-based estate auctioneers, Milne & Klein Auctions, is opening at 1809 W. Webster St., as a full-service auction house offering the sale of personal property, estates, fine art, decorative art and jewelry.
Specializing in services to law firms, local banks and executors of estates, as well as corporations, museums and private owners in need of such services, the firm holds its first auction March 10. This will be a “Treasures Auction,” or marketplace sale of household goods. The highlight to date is a Picasso jug vase, estimated value $4,000 to $6,000.
The auction gallery is in a 10,000-square-foot space previously occupied by a Gabriel’s Trumpet consignment store.
The principals, Bill Milne and Merle Klein, hope to fill a niche in Chicago, offering help with all facets of valuation work. They will offer monthly estate auctions, on-site estate sales and estate clean-out services.
Milne is a 30-year veteran of the Chicago resale market. He has conducted hundreds of auctions with sales’ totals in excess of $100 million.
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He also has served as vice president of the defunct Dunning’s Auction Service in Elgin and as national director of jewelry for Butterfield’s in San Francisco.
Klein has six years of experience as the director of trusts and estates for various Chicago auction houses.
The formal grand opening sale will be in early April and will include higher-end goods, such as 17th, 18th and 19th Century furniture, paintings, drawings and jewelry.
Bids can be made in person, over the phone or by absentee submission.
Consignments currently are being accepted. Call: 773-395-9895.