MOVE OVER EAST COAST / NEW YORK! A NEW AUCTION GALLERY IN MIDWEST INDIANA HAS LANDED THE CONTRACT TO AUCTION 2000 LOTS OF RARE CIRCA 1890-1920 GOOFUS GLASS WORTH OVER $150K. WHY IS A RURAL AUCTION HOUSE BEATING OUT THE BIG BOYS?

Why has a rural auction house in the midwest won the right to auction a record breaking, 2000 lot vintage collection of Goofus Glass over the big auction houses? How can they offer a consigner continuing income from SOLD auction items?

WHAT IS GOOFUS GLASS ANYWAY ?

It all started in the Midwest in 1897 when glass makers like Northwood, Dugan and Imperial Glass created pressed glass which pre-dates Carnival Glass, the two did share the limelight at fairs, carnivals and gas stations. They were both given as prizes. What collectors refer to as Goofus glass was originally marketed under far more glamorous sounding names such as "Oriental Art", "Egyptian Art", "Khedive", "Golden Oriental", and "Intaglio Art". Because the paint flakes off, some considered the glass to be a Goof" -- hence the expression Goofus Glass.

What was given away 100 years ago for attending an event or purchasing gas -- is now highly collectible and becoming very hard to acquire. Some pieces can be acquired for $20 - $50, but $500 and $3000 rare pieces are becoming more common.

A Collection reportedly worth over $150,000 is now on display in the Wolfe Auction Gallery located in Columbia City, Indiana waiting for an upcoming April Auction on April 26 and 27th. Goofus glass is now attracting more attention as Carnival Glass increasingly becomes priced out of the range of many collectors. So, why would a world famous collection from Missouri with some pieces so rare, a collector could go a lifetime before ever viewing another, come to Indiana for show and auction? Why not the East Coast or New York auction houses? This auction sets the record for the largest amount of Goofus glass ever to be auctioned off at one time.

CatBecca.com teamed with eBayLiveAuctions.com, have taken advantage of the low costs found in rural Indiana and have combined high speed internet technology with old school auctioneering and now run monthly LIVE / online auctions in a historical 17,000 sq ft Auction House in Columbia City built in the mid 1800s. Thanks to technology, custom software, foam shipping systems and eBayLiveAuctions.com -- bidders from all over the World can purchase with the click of a key -- LIVE and online. The catbecca.com website alone gets over 2 million hits per month, and ships out 7 pallets at a time, using protective foam -- with discounts offered to large collectors, dealers and first bidders.

Why run a world class Auction House in a rural area? Some say that sounds nuts -- but in a competitive environment where Sothebys and Butterfields struggle to make a profit -- much of the problems can be achieved seeking lower overhead (buildings & staffing). Also CatBecca.com has found a way for a consigner / collector to continue to EARN money on their collection, AFTER the items have been sold at auction. CatBecca.com will be announcing this new service this spring.

The auction for the Goofus is scheduled for April 26 -- 27th with previews each weekend - local hotels are already taking reservations for this event. Steve Gillespie, reportedly one of the largest collectors of Goofus Glass in the World with 5000 pieces, states that going with Wolfe Auction Gallery in partnership with CatBecca.com was not just about the technology and software to reach millions -- but it was because CatBecca.com found a way to preserve his valuable collection. Steve, will be authoring a book on Goofus Glass this summer using the professional photography from CatBecca.com on his collection. CatBecca.com will also allow Steve to continue to earn an income on these 2000 pieces AFTER the Auction ends. Something the big boys cannot do.

The Collection is viewable each weekend at 232 West Van Buren in Columbia City Indiana, Between Chicago and Fort Wayne off US 30. Contact the auctioneer, Phil Wolfe, at 260-244-4141 with    questions. Friday April 25th at 6pm -- the auction gallery will host a Goofus show / meeting which will be attended by Steve Gillespie along with 30+ additional super rare pieces for viewing only. Other Goofus collectors will be showing their special pieces as well.

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