Auctions America by RM's 2012 Auburn Spring Auction to Offer the Company's Largest Private Collection of Memorabilia to Date

AUBURN, Ind., May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The historic Auburn Auction Park in Auburn, Indiana, will become a giant treasure chest of automotive memorabilia June 1-3 when Auctions America by RM offers the largest private collection of high-quality scale models, fine art paintings, original signs and rare vintage mascots the auction company has ever consigned at no reserve. More than 600 American muscle cars, Classics, foreign sports cars and hot rods will also cross the block during the three-day Auburn Spring auction.

"Automobilia is great fun for collectors whether their budgets are big or small," said Auctions America by RM's President Donnie Gould. "Some enthusiasts buy scale-model cars because they can't afford the full-size versions; others buy them to put on a desk while the full-size version sits in the garage. Not everyone can afford a million-dollar 427 Cobra, but a well-made scale model might go for a few hundred dollars."

Model cars offered at Auburn Spring include a 1/8-scale Conti 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spyder that has been appraised between $10,000 and $15,000 – $10 million less than the cost of a real Ferrari NART. The star of the show is a Sapo Modelltechnik model of a 1913 Mercer 35J Raceabout comprising more than 3,000 individual parts. Considered one of the finest detailed models ever, the Mercer is appraised at $18,000 to $25,000.

Other lots of memorabilia being offered include:

• vintage airplane models such as a World War II B-17 bomber (est. $500 - $1,000) and a 110-inch-wide recreation of Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis (est. $2,500 - $5,000)
• mascots and hood ornaments for makes like Rolls-Royce (est. $300 - $500) and Duesenberg (est. $500 - $800)
• famous paintings by highly regarded automotive artists such as Ken Eberts' "Hershey" (est. $5,000 - $8,000) and Alfredo De la María's "Rolls-Royce" (est. $7,000 - $10,000)

The automobilia lots will cross the block on Friday at 11:00 a.m., Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. EDT. During the three-day auction, Carlisle Events will host the swap meet and car corral, which will feature hundreds of parts vendors and special-interest cars for sale.

Tickets to the auction are $10 for a daily pass or $25 for a full event pass, and admission is free for the preview on Thursday, May 31. The auction runs Friday, June 1, through Sunday, June 3. Internet, absentee and telephone bidding options are available for those unable to attend the event in person. Full event details and a list of auction offerings are available online at www.auctionsamerica.com or by calling toll free 877-906-2437 (or +1 260-927-9797 outside North America). The auction will stream live online at www.auctionsamerica.com to provide real-time coverage of the event.

SOURCE Auctions America by RM