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photo by Marcus Frazier
Antique restorers Jeanette Frazier, left, and Ann Watson perform Minor repairs on an antique mirror at the Natchez Convention Center Thursday. afternoon. Hundreds of items from the estate of James Pippen will be up for the highest bid today starting at 10 a.m.
Pippen’s estate heads for auction block today
Published Friday, October 3, 2008
NATCHEZ — Truck after truck dropped off mountains of antique furniture and decorative items at the Natchez Convention Center Thursday.
But contained within those trucks was more than tester beds and baccarat banquet lamps; it was part of the legacy of James Pippen.
In August, Pippen, a well-known antiques dealer and decorator, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home on Rankin Street.
His family and much of the antiques community was in shock.
And today, at 10 a.m., his family will auction off much of the contents of Pippen’s two houses, his store on Franklin Street and his warehouses.
Simeon Rambo, Pippen’s nephew, said much of the furniture and many of Pippen’s other possessions, like his houses and car, had to be sold to meet financial obligations.
Rambo said while the auction is necessary, it won’t be easy to watch.
“It’s like watching his life go to the highest bidder,” Rambo said. “But we also can’t cling to his things.”
Pippen’s sister, Gloria Reeves, said, in addition to financial obligations, Pippen’s possessions had to be sold because the family simply did not have enough space to store them.
And with one look inside the convention center on Thursday, few would have a hard time disagreeing with Reeves’ position.
The contents of Pippen’s home, store and warehouses packed the entire room from wall to wall — even the ceiling was used to hang several ornate chandeliers.
Dwight Stevens, owner of Stevens Auction Company, is overseeing the auction and said as far as estate sales go, Pippen’s is tremendous.
“This one is huge,” he said.
Looking across the room it’s hard to conceive how one person could amass so much in a lifetime.
Stevens said the auction has been advertised across the country, and several hundred people are expected to attend. And Stevens expects those people to buy a lot of merchandise.
“It’s going to sell,” he said. “There are a lot of museum- quality pieces in here.”
Rambo said he was even aware of buyers coming from as far away as Australia for the auction.
While Rambo and the rest of Pippen’s family are bracing themselves for two emotional days of auctioning, they’re committed to keeping Pippen’s name alive in the community.
On Nov. 1, Rambo plans to reopen Pippen’s Limited Antiques & Interiors and continue the business his uncle started 18 years ago.
“He made Franklin Street,” Rambo said of the shop’s locale. “Why let that go down the drain?”
Comments
Posted by starla (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jimmy Pippen was one of my regular customers when I waited tables at a downtown restaurant. He was always pleasant and talkative. I was shocked and saddened to hear about his death.
My heart goes out to his family having to watch his stuff get sold off.
Posted by Natcheezit (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 12:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jimmy Porterfield was Pippen's longtime business associate-partner and we hope Pippen's family are going to be decent enough to give him a share from this auction.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 5:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is this what we would call a "delicate issue"? I would think there would be more appropriate places to discuss that.
Posted by MSviaTN (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Natcheezit - why would you even make a comment like that - that is totally no one's business - just curious if you even know the family?
Posted by harvest1 (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Rambo I wish you and the family the best.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
southernlady1776, I was talking about the poster's comment about Pippen's family and what I would consider to be private family matters.
Posted by k1122 (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Knowing Jim as I did I do not think he would appreciate having any of his personal business discussed for the world to view. Let's all respect that. His family are great people.
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Was most of the stuff being sold bought by Porterfield and for sale in Pippen's store?
Posted by k1122 (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
don't think so
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on October 3, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It was a simple question that Natcheezit ask....What is the big deal??? Would you have thought it such a big deal if his partner would have been of the opposite sex? Things like this happen in the world low and behold even in Natchez,Mississippi....
I hope his family was fair to who HE CHOSE for his partner in life...
Posted by knowsthetruth (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As some who has known the Pippen family, including Porterfield, for 15-20 yrs I know the Pippen welcomed him into thier family and homes. Pippen cared deeply for him and gave him the type of lifestyle he has been accustomed to. Porterfield is well known to have an abusive personality and Pippen tolerated this beyond belief. Despite the way Portfield treated Pippen, Pippen would want Portfield to treated well. I personally know that they have tried their best, but he has not been ccoperative. His making demands, stealing, and spreading rumors has probably caused any misfortune he may suffer.
Posted by knowsthetruth (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dont even go there to make the Pippen family to be a bunch of homophobes..these are people of very high class...the biggest gift they could give Porterfield is not to have him arrested!!! he has harrassed Pippens tenents and current... business associates. The Natchez PD is aware if this...he is on probstion, but someone is ignoring the imfo they have been given.....maybe you should watch CNN for the details...some of you are afraid of his threats, but trust me..the Pippen family are not the people to fool with....they are God fearing people...with all the right connections...up above and DOWN LOW
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on October 5, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So knowsthetruth what are you saying they know God and the Devil????
Posted by knowsthetruth (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Funny.....I guess it pays to have connections in all places....whats the saying...its good to have your friends close and enemies closer...seriously and to respectfully end this "commentary"...They love the town of Nathez and want to have great memories of the people here. I beleive that they are good to anyone who is good to thier family. I do know that they have vast experiance with dealing with difficult situations and people...I understand the Pippens late father had much success with dealing with diffult people ha! and you know....apples dont fall far from the tree!
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