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Wymer Auction a Wheeling Collector’s Dream

Blue opalescent glass in the seaweed pattern by Hobbs, Brockunier, makes for an exceptional pitcher for Wheeling collectors.

Auctions are the perfect remedy to the endless gray days we’ve had this winter, and collectors will have another chance to bid on first class antiques from the Betty June Wymer Collection on March 11 as Frio Auctions at the Highlands present her sixth big sale.

Betty June is well known in the region as an antiques expert, first class collector and historical buff. Her treasures are always well preserved, documented and, many times, made in Wheeling.

She began collecting seriously in 1975 and is now downsizing. She and her husband enjoyed the hobby, and over the years, she focused her growing collection on Americana antiques and Wheeling treasures.

Betty June is the former owner of the Wymer General Store Museum that was once located in Victorian North Wheeling, then moved to the Artisan Center and finally found its permanent home at the Museums of Oglebay Institute, after she generously donated her beloved general store to the Mansion.

But the Wymer General Store was just one part of her antiques inventory. She also was one of the founders of the Warwick Collectors Club and was a member of many other collector groups.

The March 11 Wymer Auction will include rare glassware from big collectible names like Hobbs, Brockunier; Central; Fostoria; Northwood; Fenton and more.

Pottery includes: Warwick IOGA, Warwick Flow Blue, LaBelle Flow Blue, Ohio Valley China and early Wheeling Pottery pieces. Advertising, Wheeling Steel items, toys and many Wheeling artifacts are also part of the mix.

There also is a fascinating group of Salesman Samples (miniatures) that offers a glimpse into the social history of our times. Most of these date to the late 1800s to the early 1900s and include a sample ironing board, miniature Dazey butter churn, sample bathroom fixtures, miniature iron stove and a perfect little Singer sewing machine in the original box with all accessories and instructions!

Perhaps the most impressive item is the glass treasure that Frio will put on the auction block first at 10 a.m. — the sale of a rare amethyst carnival glass master punchbowl with six cups, by Northwood. This represents the largest punchbowl made by the iconic glass house and is done in the lovely grape and cable pattern. Betty June bought in back in the late 1970s and purchased it from a private collector. It is stunning.

There are 250 lots total in this sale, and you review all the items right now by going online at frioauctions.com. There really is something for everyone, even a vintage West Virginia license plate marked 1956!

If you can’t make the auction, bidding online is easily done thanks to the Frio website (frioauctions.com) and to eBay live, a real-time bidding site. EBay live will be available 14 days prior to the actual action so global shoppers also can get in on the action and bid online competitively. Or you can simply watch the sale in real time. So tell your out-of-town friends and family about this opportunity.

The on-site sale will accept cash and credit cards with a 5 percent buyer’s premium on all credit card sales.

So if you haven’t attended an auction, give it a try. Many find the thrill of the hunt and the competition nature of bidding exciting. Auctions can be a great place to find a bargain and are always a lot of fun.

The Wymer auction begins with a 9 a.m. March 11 inspection for buyers to examine the treasures (on-site), followed by the gavel action at 10 a.m. For those who haven’t visited the Frio Auction site at the Highlands, it is easy to find and located at 574 Cabela Drive, past the Olive Garden on your left at the end of the group of shops.

For comments or suggestions on local treasures to be featured in Antique of the Week, Maureen Zambito can be reached via email at: zambitomaureen@hotmail .com or by writing in care of this newspaper.

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