The sale features the lifelong collection of Mae and Leslie “Bud” Atkinson consisting of New England country antiques and primitives. In 1985 they purchased this first period center-entrance gem which was built by John Atkinson (Bud’s 8th Great-Grandfather). Bud and Mae curated their home with a tasteful amassing purchased from local dealers, antique shops, auctions, and shows. Their collection not only found its way into magazine pages in the ’90s for its quiet visual sophistication but first and foremost remained a lived in home. Much of their everyday lives was a true example of 18th century living, from cooking in the open-hearth fireplace and dining by candlelight to raising heirloom chickens. Mae’s favorite color was red which will become apparent as you walk through the home and view the period furnishings and décor still arranged very much as she left it at the time of her passing in 2016.
Mae spent over 30 years as a volunteer and board member of the Museum of Old Newbury where she sat as chair of its collections. There she used her position to advocate historic preservation and encouraged others to do the same.
Auctioneer’s note: John McInnis Auctioneers is pleased to be presenting this auction in a manner Bud and Mae would have loudly supported; an old-fashioned open air sale on the grounds of their ancestral homestead with no internet bidding! After all, it is the type of collection which demands to be inspected in person first hand; both visually and tactilely. Plan your last weekend in October accordingly, to be in greater Newburyport for a real old fashioned country auction that is worthy of a trip.
Auction to be held under a heated tent in the event of a cool fall day.
