CROWN POINT, Ind. – In honor of Conrad Kraft’s 35th anniversary in business, Kraft Auction Service is planning to hold their annual anniversary antique auction on Jan. 7, 2012. The sale will be held at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point, Ind., and Internet live bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.

Top lots in this year’s sale include a collection from a survivor from the Titanic, an original Tiffany lamp, collector car, and a Joseph Kleitsch oil painting. The most historically interesting pieces in the auction are the Titanic items from the estate of Albert Horswill. The collection includes Horswill’s original wage slip that he carried off the ship as it sank. Horswill manned lifeboat number one off the ship with other crew members and first class passengers. The lot also includes his summons letter to the Royal Court only days after that faithful night to give his story of what had happened. Other pieces in the collection include an original oil painting of the Titanic painted for Horswill by co-workers of the local painters union he was a member of in northwest Indiana, an original photo of Horswill, and a variety of newspaper articles for which he was interviewed.

Topping the sale of decorative art is an elegant Tiffany green linen-fold table lamp. The shade measures 18.5 inches at its widest point and sits on a 533 Tiffany base. Base and shade show proper patina. The linen-fold design was created in 1913 by L.C. Tiffany exclusively for lamps, and it was only shortly afterward that he stepped down from actively working within his company. Other Tiffany items in the sale include a Tiffany pottery lamp base, sterling silver cup, and a gilt bronze mantel clock.

A variety of high-quality art will pass the auction block as well on Jan. 7. The leading painting of the sale is a Joseph Kleitsch oil on canvas of an impressionistic California countryside scene. Kleitsch is known as one of the premier early members of the California school of Impressionism painters. The painting is fresh out of an estate where it had been held for more than 50 years.

For the car enthusiast, there is a great collection of cars in the sale. If you are into early cars, there is a 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe fresh from a Cleveland estate. The owner reportedly used it all the time to drive to the grocery store. For the muscle-car-era collector, Kraft has a 1974 Chevrolet Corvette with 6,000 original miles. Original survivor car equipped with A/C, 4 speed, and two tops. For the adventurist, Kraft will offer a 1997 Land Rover Defender 90 sport utility truck. A great offroad vehicle, the truck is in pristine condition and is a true 100-point truck.

A variety of quality furniture will be sold including a 1820s-1830s Federal-style corner cabinet with all original glass and brass key. The most unusual piece of furniture is a 4-section room screen dating to the 1840s, with all original paint. Each panel features folk art of a chicken, swan, dog, and fox. For the Art Deco collector, there is an original Brunswick Balke Collender front and back bar in excellent condition. It even lights up.

These items are just the tip of the iceberg for this auction. Over 2,000 lots will be sold with five auction rings running all day.  Other items in this auction include sterling silver, estate jewelry, 125+ firearms including early dueling pistols, a brass diver’s helmet, antique furniture, advertising, dolls, toys, Arts & Crafts, Orientalia, and much more.

For additional information on any lot in the sale, call Jonathan at 219-973-9240.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE