For coastal arts and antique aficionados who feel deprived of the urban auction-house experience, the recently established Astoria Auction Gallery could fill that gap. The premiere auction will be held March 28 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The owners of Jonathan’s Estate Jewelry in Astoria, Charlie and Dana DeDolph, recently established the business as an outgrowth of their existing retail store.
Astoria Auction Gallery will host 12 auctions a year; 10 of which will feature approximately 300 lots each, gathered from consigners and sellers. The lots will include artifacts, found objects, antiques, decorative arts, lamps, porcelain and furniture from around the world, as well as locally procured items.
In an interview, Charlie DeDolph said the other two auctions will have a focus on specific items.
"In the fall we’ll hold a local artists’ auction, and during the Christmas season we’ll hold a jewelry-only auction," DeDolph said.
Items will be of fine quality, he said, and range in value from $75 to approximately $7,500.
Auction-goers can come early to preview items.
"Then they will be provided with a bid number after they present a credit card to back up any purchases, and take home items that evening, or make arrangements to take items the next day," DeDolph said.
The venue for Astoria Auction Gallery is the former River Theater located under the Astoria-Megler Bridge near the Holiday Inn Express.
"It has great seating, good lighting ample parking and is close to restaurants, and we’ll serve some refreshments – it’s a perfect place to participate in this type of auction," DeDolph said.
For DeDolph, launching Astoria Auction Gallery was a way to fill a void in the community.
"There was no quality auction-house on the North Coast," Dedolph said. "Now there is. And, we think it will be fun."
The Astoria Auction Gallery is located at 230 W. Marine Drive. To provide free appraisals the auction house is now open Monday and Tuesday each week from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. For more information call (503) 325-1449 or to preview auction items visit www.astoriaauctiongallery.com.