Imagine driving through the front gates of Mount Vernon, being directed around the Bowling green, and then being met by a parking attendant in front of the Mount Vernon mansion. From there, imagine being greeted by none other than George Washington himself, being summoned into the home of the First President and then partaking in a special tour of his estate.
Those 650 or so guests who took part in last weekend's "An Auction, by George," didn't have to imagine; they did just that.
This special event, which is only held once every three years, was an event to remember. Once through the home, guests stepped out into one of two oversized tents to view hundreds of items available for bidding in a silent auction. There were antiques and jewelry, sports items, getaway packages, George Washington memorabilia, books, artwork, food, wine and spirits, dinners, tours, and items for home and garden.
During the auction preview, guests had plenty of time to enjoy a cocktail reception. There was also ample opportunity to visit with Mary Higgins Clark, Letitia Baldrige and Roger Mudd, all of whom were there to sign the books provided in guests' welcome bags.
ENJOYING THE festivities were Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O‚Connor, Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) and Jeanne Vander Myde, and MSNBC news commentator Chris Matthews.
One guest wanted to bid on an item that Justice O'Connor had just bid on, and wasn't quite certain if it was politically correct to bid over a Supreme Court Justice; it appeared that other guests weren't as concerned and continued to bid; after all it was a fund-raiser. Overall, the event made almost half a million dollars, most of which will be used for educational programs.
AFTER THE SILENT auction viewing, guests entered a second tent, where a buffet dinner prepared by the Mount Vernon Inn was served. Immediately after dinner, C. Hugh Hildesley, auctioneer and Executive Vice President of Sotheby's, started the bidding on the live auction. The 2004 Jaguar S-Type Sports Sedan, valued at $50,000, garnered the highest bid, a bargain at just $46,000.
Other auction items included a trip to Copenhagen; a week in Palm Beach; an antique Heriz carpet; a Federal eagle pin by Ann Hand; and a '41 Viking gas range. Most items received bids that were close to their values, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000.