RM Auctions was chosen to present the distinguished Dr. Barbara Mae Atwood Collection at their upcoming Automobiles of Arizona auction event, January 16th, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The result of a lifetime of judicious collecting by the late Dr. Atwood, the esteemed Atwood Collection features a magnificent selection of pre-war American cars, each representing the epitome of motoring luxury for their respective marques.
“Throughout her lifetime, Dr. Atwood shared two passions – caring for animals and collecting automobiles. In the latter, she is renowned as the premier female collector of her time,” said Mike Fairbairn, Executive Vice President and co-founder of RM Auctions.
“We are delighted to have been entrusted by the Atwood Family with the task of selling this magnificent collection and look forward to sharing Dr. Atwood’s remarkable legacy with other passionate collectors. Magnificently presented, each example on offer represents a singular opportunity to acquire one of the finest automobiles from one of the hobby’s most discerning advocates,” he added.
Dr. Atwood received an early introduction to the automotive world through her father’s interest and personal involvement in the motor industry – an inventive man, he devised the adjustable door bumper to solve the problem of rattling doors. A young Barbara Atwood would often accompany her father on visits to clients and it was pleasant memories of these trips, coupled with her fondness for her 1941 Chrysler Windsor convertible – a prized possession given to her by her parents – that led her to the world of classic cars in the 1970s. With an exceptional eye for the beautiful lines and form that is inherent in the greatest automobiles, Dr. Atwood went on to collect an impressive and diverse collection of vintage motor cars. Whilst encompassing a variety of different marques, she favored recognized Full Classics with a focus on convertibles and other open cars – a theme inspired by her original and much cherished Chrysler. Never a casual collector, she fully immersed herself in the hobby, from researching and restoring her cars to pursuing their histories. She was a keen participant on the show and concours circuit, receiving an enviable string of awards and honors, including six Pebble Beach wins in eight years. Despite all this she remained an intensely private person and her collection was considered by many as a hidden treasure trove of automotive wonders.
Following her passing earlier this year, twenty-four of Dr. Atwood’s most treasured vehicles will cross the auction block at RM’s Automobiles of Arizona event in January. Highlights of the offering include a majestic 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Fleetwood, the only known Duesenberg to have had Fleetwood coachwork installed from new; a one-off 1929 Graham-Paige Supercharged Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton, built for the 1929 New York Auto Show and specially commissioned by Joseph Graham’s daughters; a handsome 1937 Lincoln Convertible Victoria by Brunn, ordered and specially customized for Boston socialite and tennis star Eleanora Sears; and an elegant 1933 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Sedan, among the last of the Marmons and Mrs. Marmon’s personal car.
Also set to cross the block as part of the collection are: an ultra-rare and unusual 1913 Herreshoff Runabout; a highly desirable 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster; a unique 1931 Hudson Greater Eight Boat-tailed Sport Roadster; and an award-winning 1932 Stutz DV-32 Super Bearcat by Weymann, once owned by renowned collector D. Cameron Peck, and regarded as the final and fastest iteration of the famous Bearcat.
The selection of cars from the Atwood Collection will be joined by 100 other exceptional vintage automobiles to complete RM’s Arizona line-up.
RM’s Automobiles of Arizona auction event will be held at the luxurious Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, 24th Street & Missouri, Phoenix, Arizona on January 16th, 2009. An auction preview will be held January 15th from 9am to 5pm followed by the auction from 11am on January 16th. Admission to the auction is by catalog only, which admits both the catalog holder and a guest. The full-color collectable catalog is available for $100 U.S. (plus shipping), by calling (800)-211-4371 or visiting www.rmauctions.com.
[Source: RM Auctions]
