Carwile Auctions in the News

Historic Travis Was A Dream Come True

Antique Weekly November 2003

In the words of Sandy Henderson of Carwile Auctions, it was “an auctioneers dream.” The Nov. 8 sale of the contents of historic Travis just outside Farmville was also a history buffs dream. The Travis house stands on land given in a grant from the King of England in Colonial days. Over the years it has been many things. During the American Revolution it was a tavern and played unwilling host to the notorious Col. Banastre Tarleton’s British troops during their soiree in Prince Edward County in the early 1780s.

Not long after, it became the home of Col. John Foster, who served in the War of 1812, and it was some of his belongings that created the most interest both for local residents looking for a piece of their history and for dealers, collectors and scholars from all over the state. One the most interesting items was Foster’s gathering book.” It served as the early 19th century gentleman’s encyclopedia and computer, containing useful information he had accumulated over the years, such as tables of weights and measures, surveyor’s terms and measurements, multiplication tables and formulas for commonly used compounds. Written in the flowing script of the period, this treasure of the past sold for $1,800. There was no buyer’s premium.

Another important book was the Collection of all Such Acts of the General Assembly of Virginia printed by Augustine Davis, printer of the commonwealth in 1794. This original document sold for $1,650. Other books and ephemera included an instruction book of of Travis, Civil War cavalry tactics, the ledgers of J.T. Clark, a former owner of Travis, a receipt for the sale of loose leaf tobacco at the Star Warehouse of South Boston dated 1906 and a number of documents and articles relating to the period when Travis served as a post office before it was closed in 1904 and reverted back to the family as a private residence.

A collection of 19th century handmade quilts ranged from $500 to the high of $800 for a full-size bed covering with 1895 stitched into a panel. A nice walnut and burl Rococo three-drawer washstand with an unusually tall white marble splashboard made $850.

Henderson noted this was the first sale in which Carwile employed online preregistration for bidders. Over one-third of the 357 registered bidders did so in advance online, which saved a lot of time on sale day. She indicated that would become standard practice.

Auctioning at the Fuqua FalconFest

The Charlotte Gazette, 4/23/2003

This picture was published in the Spring addition of "The Virginia Auctioneer." This is George Daniel greeting Jimmy at the Virginia Auctioneers Convention. George is a past president of the VAA. Daniel Auction Service is based in Blackstone, VA.

Carwile Attends Annual Convention Of The Virginia Auctioneers Association

The Charlotte Gazette, 1/29/2003

WBNN Fundraiser for Madeline's House - May 12th, 2001 Story by Mary Jo Stockton Photographs by Mary Jo Stockton and Lon Stockton Update: 05/14/01 The final amount raised was $4,853.00. Well done to everyone involved!

On May 12th, WBNN 105.3FM Big Country held a benefit at Charley's Waterfront Café in Farmville Virginia. The money was raised for Madeline's House which has been providing temporary, emergency shelter for victims of violence and domestic abuse since July 1999. The shelter is named for Madeline who suffered physical and mental abuse from her husband. She left but on on September 6, 1998, he entered Madeline's apartment, ordered his two young daughters outside, shot Madeline and then shot himself.

Star Attraction for the evening was country music star Keith Bryant. Before the concert there was a delicious Charley's buffet meal to enjoy and help raise money for the cause. After dinner a charity auction was held with lots of great items and memorabilia donated by Country music stars. WBNN DJ Sharon Stanley described the items in the auction and auctioneer Jimmy Carwile of Carwile Auction Company performed the auction. The staff of WBNN were present all evening and did a great job of keeping everyone entertained and partying.

By the end of the evening it was reported that at least $3500 had been raised but that was not a final figure. The auction managed to raise a lot of money by itself. Some of the stars had offered some great prizes, even WBNN's intern had offered a little something special. One excited audience member bid for a surprise package containing the intern's offering. She seemed "delighted" to find it contained a pair of his rather large and not so clean underpants which had been autographed on the back. Sharon Stanley can be seen in the third picture below holding up the aforementioned special item. Some local merchants also offered items such as the pair of rugs donated by Sandy Henderson of Rug Rats. Sandy was the recipient of the star item in the auction. WBNN had called around Country Music stars to request items for the auction. When Wynonna Judd heard about Madeline's story and the work at Madeline's House she sent one of her own jackets from her personal wardrobe to be auctioned. Debra Reed, WBNN station manager, can be seen in the last picture below modeling the jacket during the auction.