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Teddy Bear Auction -- Special Items from Weekes Autographs - LLC

Updated October 1, 2004

Empire Bears member, Ron Weekes of Weekes Autographs - LLC, has donated three outstanding autograph display pieces to benefit our club and the youth program of the Gay Alliance of Genessee Valley. These autograph display pieces will be auctioned live during the October 2 Lake Ontario Bear Rendezvous at Tay House Lodge. Come early to inspect the pieces prior to the auction.

PLEASE BID GENEROUSLY. The retail, fair market, value of each piece is listed. All bidding starts at 25% of retail value (sorry, no exceptions). Each display piece has been professionally matted and comes with a handsome certificate of authenticity. Any item that does not receive a minimum starting bid will be returned to Weekes Autographs. Remember that proceeds from this auction are a 50/50 split for the club and GAGV.

Background: Rudolph Wendelin, (1910-2000) American artist-illustrator, is attributed with being the creator of "Smokey the Bear." In reality, he was the first artist officially commissioned by the U.S. Forestry Service to produce a series of "Smokey" images for promotional purposes. Mr. Wendelin was subsequently honored with two commemorative stamps in 1964 and 1998 as part of the "Celebrate the Century". He attended the University of Kansas School of Architecture and studied in art schools in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. Mr. Wendelin entered the U.S. Forestry Service in 1933 as a draftsman. Drawings of Wendelin were highly collectible during his lifetime and, with his death four years ago, are becoming increasingly valuable.
Please Note: One major U.S. dealer is asking $999.00 for a signed card of Wendelin with a small head drawing. These display pieces are professionally matted using the finest materials and priced well within retail, fair market, valuation.

Professionally double-matted in nut brown and forest green boards. This piece features a genuine, in-person signed 3"x5" card by the late Rudolph Wendelin, along with a 5"x7" color, lithoprint portrait of "Smokey the Bear." Protected with a Mylar sleeve. Overall measure is 9"x13 1/4".

RETAIL VALUE: $125.00
MINIMUM BID: $31.25 (bid increments of $2.50).

Professionally double-matted in nut brown and ecru boards. This piece features a genuine, in-person signed 3"x5" card by the late Rudolph Wendelin with a small rubber-stamp image of "Smokey". It is matted with a whimsical 5"x7" color lithoprint portrait of "Smokey". Protected with a Mylar sleeve. Overall measure is 11"x14".

RETAIL VALUE: $150.00.
MINIMUM BID: $37.50 (bid increments of $2.50).

Professionally matted in forest green board. This features a 8"x10" black and white lithoprint portrait from an original drawing by Rudolph Wendelin of the "Smokey the Bear" image. Mr. Wendelin has signed the image at the bottom in blue marker pen. The image carries the caption "From Forest Fire Preventing Friends." Overall measure is 12"x15". Protected with a Mylar sleeve.

RETAIL VALUE: $185.00.
MINIMUM BID: $46.25 (bid increments of $2.50).
PLEASE NOTE: A similar signed drawing of "Smokey" by Rudolph Wendelin, donated to the Cincinnati River Bears in 2002, had a hammer price of $415.00.

All items come with a signed Certificate of Authenticity.

Bidding Rules

All bidders for the autograph portion of the auction must complete an auction bidding form. This information will be held in strict confidence and only be used by Empire Bears and Weekes Autographs in order to ship merchandise to the winning bidder. WEEKES AUTOGRAPHS will pay for all shipping fees if material is not delivered at the time the auction closes.

Convenient Payment Methods

Winning bidders of any AUTOGRAPH merchandise can pay in a number of convenient ways. We accept cash, personal checks, certified cashier's check and electronic payment using PayPal.

Those who pay for winning bids with personal checks must first allow their checks to clear our bank, usually no more than 7 to 10 days, when merchandise will be shipped.

Winning bidders may elect to use PayPal can have funds deducted from a credit card or personal checking account. IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE: There is a nominal 3 percent surcharge which will be added to all bids using this payment method. We do not make any profit on this. These are fees levied by PayPal for the use of the service.

As this is a New York State auction, winning buyers are also responsible for 8.25% sales tax which will be added to the hammer price.

Be generous. Bid often. Proceeds from this auction are a 50/50 split between the Empire Bears and the G.A.G.V. Youth Program.

Thank you!