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?”