Short report on Townsend auction, Part 1, 12-3-11:

www.ibj.com/townsend-artifact-collection...PARAMS/article/31188

Catalog for Part 1, in case you want to guess which quartz bannerstone fetched $245,700:

www.artfact.com/catalog/searchLots.cfm?s...atalogRef=STTM32RYM4

A taste:

Now that is something. Lots of money for a very nice collection, a true ledgend.

Jack

Really something seeing the popeye birdstone in the video hit $77,000. Without a doubt, it's pictured in his book. Combine authenticity with his name and book, add competition, and wow! If ya got that kind of money to burn, there are a lot worse ways to spend it though. Heck of an artifact to own, from one of THE collectors of birdstones.

I viewed that catalog prior to the sale, and all pieces were historic for lack of a better word. While viewing I was certain that stuff would bring premium prices, however I underestimated by a long shot. Great stuff from a historic icon in our hobby though. Maybe before they put me in the ground I can purchase stuff like that someday. But for now I will just keep walking, and get a deal at an auction I can afford.-Bill

Im with you Bill! Keep a walkin.

Too rich for my blood. Lots of great artifacts though. When is round two of this auction?

I believe they used the correct auction house- Ripley's- as in "believe it or not".

I agree with the auction company name cliff. haha, thought the same.
I ordered the "part 2" book from that company. It was pretty interesting, I wish they had larger pictures of the Townsend collection within his home though.