Timepieces, Erotica and Decorative Arts

The Auction.   The auction is open to the public and there is no admission fee or obligation to bid.  The auctioneer introduces the objects for sale - known as "lots" - in numerical order as listed in the catalog.  Treadway Toomey Auctions acts as agent on behalf of the seller and does not permit the seller to bid on his or her own property. Estimates/Reserves.   The price estimates that appear at the end of each lot description are simply approximations, reflecting the range in which the price may fall.  Some items are subject to a reserve, the price below which an item cannot be sold.  In most instances, the reserve is less than the low estimate. Bidding in Person.   If you would like to bid in person, you must register for a "paddle" upon arriving at the auction.  The paddle is numbered so as to identify you to the auctioneer. To register, you will need a form of photo identification, such as a driver's license, passport or government-issued identification.  If you are first-time bidder, you also will be asked for your address, phone number and e-mail address.  If you are bidding for someone else, you will have to provide authorization from that person in order to bid on their behalf.  Issuance of a bid paddle is in the auction house's sole discretion.  All lots sold will be invoiced to the name and address in which the paddle has been registered. Absentee Bids, Phone Bids and Internet Bids.   If you are not able to attend the auction in person, you may bid over the phone during the live sale or you may leave bids ("absentee bids"), which will be executed for you by one of our representatives, making every effort to purchase the item as inexpensively as possible without exceeding your limit. You also may bid via the Internet (see our website for instructions on how to bid at our auction via the Internet). PLEASE NOTE: Treadway Toomey Auctions offers the absentee bid service as a convenience to its clients who are unable to attend the auction and is not responsible for errors or failure to execute bids.  Should you wish to participate by phone or by leaving absentee bids, you must complete and submit an Absentee/Telephone Bid Form, which is included in the catalog and also is available on the auction website and at the auction house, or contact us as indicated below. -Phone bidding:  Please make arrangements for phone bidding as early as possible to ensure yourself a line as there are a limited number of phone lines available.  It cannot be guaranteed that you will get a line if you make arrangements later than 5:00 p.m. (CDT) on the Friday prior to a sale.  Please note that phone bidding is generally reserved for items estimated at greater than $500.  -Absentee bidding:  Please provide absentee bids as early as possible.  It is important that these bids are provided in the correct increments (see chart below).  Should identical absentee bids come in, the first one received will be honored.  Absentee bidders have the same chance of being successful as a telephone or in-person bidder; the successful bidder is determined at the auctioneer's discretion.  It is important that you submit absentee bids prior to 5:00 p.m. (CDT) on the Friday prior to a sale, as execution cannot be guaranteed after that time.  Please call us If you wish to confirm that your bids have been received.  Auction Increments.   The increments indicated in the chart below are used at our auctions: Auction Increments 0-500    $25. increment 500-1000    $50. increment 1000-3000    $100. increment 3000-5000    $250. increment 5000-10,000    $500. increment 0,000-30,000    $1,000. increment 30,000-50,000    $2500. increment 50,000-100,000    $5000. increment 100,000+  $10,000.  increment or auctioneer's discretion Buyer's Premium.   A buyer?s premium will be added to the hammer price and is payable by the buyer as part of the total purchase price for each lot purchased.  The buyer's premium is: -       22% of the hammer price up to and including $75,000; -       20% of any amount in excess of $75,000 up to and including $1,000,000; and -       12% of any amount in excess of $1,000,000. Internet bidders:  The buyer?s premium when bidding through LiveAuctioneers is 25%. The buyer?s premium when bidding through Invaluable is 28%. Terms of Sale (Illinois sales)  -The auctioneer determines the highest bidder and resolves any disputes. -All purchases are subject to: o(i) state and local sales tax unless buyer is a registered reseller and has proof of such exemption (proof of exemption must be presented at time of purchase, sales tax will not be refunded at a later date), merchandise is to be shipped out of state (other than to Ohio), or merchandise is sold with the owner identified in accordance with Illinois law, no exceptions, and o(ii) a buyer's premium as noted above.  -If you are a resident of Illinois or Ohio, or are picking up your purchase at our gallery, you must pay state sales tax unless exempted by law.   -If paying by cash or check (must be drawn on a U.S. bank), verification of identity is required (by providing a form of government-issued photo identification, such as a passport, identity card or driver's license), and confirmation of permanent address. -If paying by credit card, an additional 3% convenience fee is payable on the total of the hammer price, buyer's premium, tax if applicable and shipping cost if any.    -We accept payment by cash, check (drawn on a U.S. bank), cashier's check, credit card (with above-described additional 3% convenience fee), or wire transfer ($25 fee if by wire transfer). We accept American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards. -Once payment has been received and cleared, merchandise purchased may be released. -Late payments/default rates and fees:  If any payment is not made within 10 days after its due date, or if buyer defaults in its dealings with Treadway Toomey Auctions or breaches buyer's obligations, buyer agrees to pay to Treadway Toomey Auctions all damages and attorneys' fees and expenses, together with interest at the highest rate allowed by law on the balance due. -Storage fee: Treadway Toomey Auctions may impose a storage fee of $5.00 per day per lot beginning on day 31 to be paid by buyer for any lot or item not collected by buyer within 30 days after the sale unless other prior arrangements have been made.  Buyer agrees that Treadway Toomey Auctions shall have no liability for any damage to property left on its premises after such 30-day period * * * Please read our guarantee carefully * * * -Our guarantee:  Treadway Toomey Auctions guarantees the authenticity of that portion of the description of each lot as set out in bold type in the catalog, as amended by oral or written salesroom notes or announcements, which guarantee is in effect for 30 days after the auction in which the item was sold.  Said guarantee does not apply to those lots listed as: "in the style of", "attributed to", "the school of", "in the manner of", or "after".  Treadway Toomey Auctions is not responsible for errors or omissions in the catalog or in written or oral condition reports.  All measurements are approximate.  Treadway Toomey Auctions makes every effort to accurately describe its merchandise, but in the event that errors occur, Treadway Toomey Auctions shall not be held responsible.  It is the bidder's sole responsibility to be well informed before bidding.  Bidding in our auctions indicates your acceptance of these terms and any terms announced the day of the sale. Ceramics:  Please request condition reports prior to bidding. Furniture:  Furniture is described to the best of our ability.  The wood is usually oak, unless otherwise stated.  The furniture is old and over the years has acquired or developed dents, drink rings, separations, burns, chips and assorted flaws - only those considered objectionable will be mentioned.  Fine jewelry and watches:  Precious gems and metals will be tested and are guaranteed genuine as described.  Gemstone quality will be described if not normal.  Weights and measurements are approximate.  Obvious and objectionable repairs or alterations are noted.  Watches are the original factory product unless otherwise indicated.  Original dials and overall watch condition will be noted on important pieces.  Watch functions and accurate timekeeping is not guaranteed.  The condition, age, originality and quality of all items are evaluated using industry standards and any questions should be asked prior to the sale.  Jewelry and watches are sold as collector's items, therefore everyday use should be evaluated on an item-by-item basis. Lamps, Clocks & Electrical Items:  Lamps will be described based on patina and condition of any glass.  Leaded lamps may have cracked segments.  Some parts may have been replaced over the years, and this will be mentioned if determined to be objectionable.  Shades with mica may contain minor flaking or burn spots, and these will be mentioned if determined to be objectionable. Lamps, clocks and other electrical items are offered only for their decorative value.  They are not represented to be in working order.  Metalwork:  Metalwork will be described based on patina and the condition of the object.  Dents, scratches, wear and assorted flaws will be mentioned if determined to be objectionable.  Art glass:  Art glass may sometimes contain air bubbles and/or have surface scratches, lines in the making and chips to the pontil.  Anything determined to be objectionable will be mentioned.  Some glass may be ground at the factory, causing minor chips or flakes.  This will be mentioned if determined to be excessive.  Discoloration on the interior usually is present when originally produced and will not be noted unless determined to be excessive. Paintings, drawings, prints and bronzes:  Objects are guaranteed to be an authentic work by the artist listed.  Any and all information listed in the catalog not printed in bold type should be considered as being to the best of our knowledge, is merely our opinion, and is not guaranteed to be correct.  Every effort is made to ensure that all artwork is authentic and is represented accurately.  If the authenticity of a purchased object is contested, it must be made known to us within 30 days of the sale in which the object was purchased as follows:  a written letter from a noted authority provided to us, declaring the object to be executed by someone other than the artist listed.  This authority may not have any vested interest in the artist's work or the estate of the artist.  The object must be returned to us in the same condition in which it was purchased.  If it is determined that a piece is not authentic, only the purchase price may be refunded; there will be no compensation for damages, loss of profit, professional fees, transportation or any other costs.  If a painting is excessively dirty, we will attempt to note it in the description; however, we do not feel that the normal darkening of varnish over time to be considered problematic, and accordingly any such darkening will not be noted in the description.  Frames included with lots:  Every effort is made to protect the frames included with these lots during pre-auction storage and post-auction shipping; however, Treadway Toomey Auctions shall not be responsible for any damage to frames, and no refunds will be granted due to frame damage. Condition Reports/Notices/Preview.   It is the buyer's sole responsibility to be knowledgeable about the condition of a piece/pieces before bidding.  Auction items are available for viewing/previewing during the week prior to the auction on the dates/times listed in the front of the catalog or by appointment.  We encourage you or a knowledgeable representative to visit and inspect all lots at this time.  If this cannot be done, we encourage you to contact us with your condition report requests prior to the sale.  Our staff will give you our opinion of condition, answer any questions and send photos if necessary.  Any such opinion is not a professional conservator's evaluation and is not to be relied on as representations or statements of fact., but is given to the best of our knowledge.   It is the buyer's responsibility to be aware of all conditions, addendums, and corrections prior to the sale.  Notices amending the catalog description of a lot after the catalog has gone to press are available at the auction house or are announced by the auctioneer.  Please take note of them. Delivery/Shipping.   Treadway Toomey Auctions offers safe and economical methods for delivery and shipping of most domestic purchases.  Domestic shipping estimates (not including the cost of insurance) may be obtained prior to the auction by providing us with a full shipping address and the number(s) of the lot(s) you are interesting in purchasing; quote requests must be received no less than three business days prior to the auction date.   All delivery and shipping quotes are for delivery to a first floor or front door.  Please note that glass is removed from all paintings and prints for shipping unless otherwise specified.  All items are shipped fully insured, unless the buyer provides a signed waiver.  A buyer making his or her own shipping arrangements is responsible for sending a written release to the auction house.  Treadway Toomey Auctions is not responsible for any damage to items caused by shippers; all such claims must be settled between the buyer and the shipper.  Delivery and shipping fees shall be payable by the buyer and are NOT refundable.  Buyers shipping internationally are responsible for obtaining pre-auction estimates and for making shipping arrangements directly with the third party shipper; please contact the auction house for a list of suggested shippers. Jurisdiction.   Buyer agrees that the state and federal courts in Hamilton County, Ohio or Cook County, Illinois shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters arising out of buyer's purchase of items from Treadway Toomey Auctions and that service of process in any such proceeding shall be effective if mailed to buyer at buyer's address last supplied to Treadway Toomey Auctions.