Residents have the unique opportunity to own furniture and antiques once housed at the C.H. Booth Library by bidding on designated items for sale through online fundraising auctioneer Fairfield Auction.

The “Newtown Library Fundraiser” went live on August 2 and will be accepting bids until Thursday, September 5, at 6 pm, at .https://tinyurl.com/chboothfundraiser

Each item was evaluated by Newtown resident Jack DeStories, owner of Fairfield Auction in Monroe. In addition to providing Mr DeStories’ knowledge of antiques, Fairfield Auction is hosting the fundraiser pro bono as a way to support the library for all it does.

“It’s something we try to do when we can,” Mr DeStories said.

According to the C.H. Booth Library, “All funds raised by the ‘Newtown Library Fundraiser’ will benefit efforts to preserve the library’s valuable museum and archive collections, which include all the artifacts and furnishings left to the library by its benefactress Mary Hawley in the 1930s, plus hundreds more.”

None of the items for sale are from the Hawley family or created by a local craftsperson, but some items have been visible to the public for years at the library in various rooms.

“All in all, it’s been a lot of work to identify and move the surplus items and get them online, but we’re very happy to make sure that people have the opportunity to take them home as wanted,” C.H. Booth Library Director Douglas Lord said.

There are 15 pieces available for viewing and bidding, all of which are currently located in the Hawley Gallery on the third floor, for those interested in seeing the items in person.

The items range from furniture to small antiques, and include two Deacon’s Benches from 1860 that were previously located in the back hallway of the library; an Empire Mahogany Settee, circa 1830; a 15-inch Victorian Ruby Glass Lustre from 1880; a Victorian Marble Mantle Clock, circa 1890; and a handmade dollhouse from the late 20th Century.

“The dollhouse is kind of a fun thing,” Mr DeStories said. “Every room is fully furnished and filled with lots of detailed items. It would be a tremendous purchase for the right person, the right kid.”

Bidding Process

“In terms of bidding, everyone has their own bidding strategies,” Mr DeStories said.

Since it is a timed online auction, he encourages people register early to make sure they understand how the auction software works.

“The system only applies the minimum bid that it takes to become the high bidder. Even if you leave a high bid, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to be displayed on the system immediately,” Mr DeStories explained. “So you can bid $200 and you may be the high bidder at $22, until someone bids $23, then it’ll keep going that way… it will only apply the amount it takes to bid competitively against the other bids on the system.”

If anyone has difficulty registering or bidding, he recommends calling Fairfield Auction at 203-880-5200.

The C.H. Booth Library states, “Items are as-is, all sales are final, and there are no guarantees. Buyers must transport the items themselves, and bids are online-only. All items must be paid for and picked up at the library between Friday, September 6, and Friday, September 13.”

As of August 20, almost everything available through the auction had a bid and some had multiple.

Mr Lord says the library hopes to raise $1,000 through the “Newtown Library Fundraiser.”

To view the Newtown Library Fundraiser items and place a bid, visit https://tinyurl.com/chboothfundraiser. Contact the C.H. Booth Library’s Reference Desk for question related to the auction at 203-426-4533.