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Auburn Annie · 06-26-2007, 05:19 PM

From the Toronto Star:

Sam's items on the block
TheStar.com - News - Sam's items on the block

June 26, 2007
Curtis Rush
Staff Reporter

The countdown is on for anyone hoping to buy a memento from iconic Yonge St. landmark Sam the Record Man, which is closing for good on Saturday.

Hundreds of pieces of memorabilia, antiques and collectables inside the store can be viewed today from noon to 5 p.m. in a pre-auction showing.

The one-day auction starts at 10:30 a.m.Wednesday. Doors open at 9 a.m.

Sheldon Miller, president of auction company Benaco Sales Ltd., says that as many as 800 people can be accommodated inside the 7,000 square foot auction area inside the store, located off the Edward St. entrance.

"If we have to, we'll put people outside and it will be broadcast on the south side of the building," Miller said. "As long as people are registered, we'll have spotters out there and will try to incorporate them into the sale."

Included in the 850 lots on offer are about 100 signed pieces of memorabilia, including posters and pictures signed by the likes of Shania Twain, U2 and Celine Dion.

The iconic "Sam the Record Man" signs and two giant neon discs on the building’s west side will be retained by the city as part of a Yonge St. preservation project, but three smaller neon discs on the building are up for grabs.

Another interesting offering is a rack wall, each section of which is signed by such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Burton Cummings and Steven Tyler.

"The flat walls are used to hang hooks on them and they've been signed over the years by different artists," said Miller. "We'll unscrew it and they can frame it and have major piece of history."

Some items in the unusual category include a five-seat shoeshine station, antique pinball games, indoor marquee signs, a neon guitar, chandeliers, bars and a jukebox.

Even store fixtures such as 100,000 CD security cases are up for grabs.

Bidders have to register by providing a $300 refundable deposit by credit card, cash or debit on site.

There is no online registration.

People can also enter proxy bids today by calling 416-667-0712 or sending an email to Benaco naming the item they're interested in and what their maximum bid will be. Once their credit card information is confirmed, the auctioneer will bid for them on Wednesday.

No proxy bids will be registered tomorrow.

Preparing for a huge influx of bidders, the auctioneers are warning that it's first-come, first-served.

People are encouraged to come down today and register for the bidding tomorrow.

Miller calls it a "non-expectation auction," meaning his company wasn't entirely sure what it would be offering for sale.

As late as last night, the family of Sam’s founder Sam Sniderman was still deciding which items would be offered for sale. However, Miller added, about 97 per cent of what was in the store as recently as two weeks ago is going on the auction block, including an antique chair that was Sniderman's "throne," Miller said.

Amazingly, the retail part of the store will remain open for business on auction day.

"This is probably a first anywhere," Miller said, laughing. "There are still a lot of CDs to be sold."

The catalogue is now posted on the Benaco website:

http://www.benacosales.com/062707flyer.pdf

Sam The Record Man
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 @ 10:30am - Viewing: Tuesday, June 26, 12pm to 5pm

On Location: 347 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario - Please enter off of Gould Street.

Green P parking at Yonge & Dundas or Take Subway to Dundas Station.

MEMORABILIA INCLUDING- 100+ AUTOGRAPHED PLAQUE MOUNTED POSTERS, FRAMED COMMEMORATIVE
GOLD & PLATINUM RECORDS AND CD’S & AUTOGRAPHED SLATWALL BY; TINA TURNER, STEVEN
TYLER, RAY CHARLES, BURTON CUMMINGS, *GORDON LIGHTFOOT*, BLUE RODEO, DAVID BOWIE, DAVE
MATTHEWS, BRYAN ADAMS, 10’ ELVIS AND 8’ PATSY CLINE PICS, AND MANY MORE!

06-26-2007, 05:19 PM	#1
Auburn Annie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 3,101	From the Toronto Star: Sam's items on the block TheStar.com - News - Sam's items on the block June 26, 2007 Curtis Rush Staff Reporter The countdown is on for anyone hoping to buy a memento from iconic Yonge St. landmark Sam the Record Man, which is closing for good on Saturday. Hundreds of pieces of memorabilia, antiques and collectables inside the store can be viewed today from noon to 5 p.m. in a pre-auction showing. The one-day auction starts at 10:30 a.m.Wednesday. Doors open at 9 a.m. Sheldon Miller, president of auction company Benaco Sales Ltd., says that as many as 800 people can be accommodated inside the 7,000 square foot auction area inside the store, located off the Edward St. entrance. "If we have to, we'll put people outside and it will be broadcast on the south side of the building," Miller said. "As long as people are registered, we'll have spotters out there and will try to incorporate them into the sale." Included in the 850 lots on offer are about 100 signed pieces of memorabilia, including posters and pictures signed by the likes of Shania Twain, U2 and Celine Dion. The iconic "Sam the Record Man" signs and two giant neon discs on the building’s west side will be retained by the city as part of a Yonge St. preservation project, but three smaller neon discs on the building are up for grabs. Another interesting offering is a rack wall, each section of which is signed by such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Burton Cummings and Steven Tyler. "The flat walls are used to hang hooks on them and they've been signed over the years by different artists," said Miller. "We'll unscrew it and they can frame it and have major piece of history." Some items in the unusual category include a five-seat shoeshine station, antique pinball games, indoor marquee signs, a neon guitar, chandeliers, bars and a jukebox. Even store fixtures such as 100,000 CD security cases are up for grabs. Bidders have to register by providing a $300 refundable deposit by credit card, cash or debit on site. There is no online registration. People can also enter proxy bids today by calling 416-667-0712 or sending an email to Benaco naming the item they're interested in and what their maximum bid will be. Once their credit card information is confirmed, the auctioneer will bid for them on Wednesday. No proxy bids will be registered tomorrow. Preparing for a huge influx of bidders, the auctioneers are warning that it's first-come, first-served. People are encouraged to come down today and register for the bidding tomorrow. Miller calls it a "non-expectation auction," meaning his company wasn't entirely sure what it would be offering for sale. As late as last night, the family of Sam’s founder Sam Sniderman was still deciding which items would be offered for sale. However, Miller added, about 97 per cent of what was in the store as recently as two weeks ago is going on the auction block, including an antique chair that was Sniderman's "throne," Miller said. Amazingly, the retail part of the store will remain open for business on auction day. "This is probably a first anywhere," Miller said, laughing. "There are still a lot of CDs to be sold." The catalogue is now posted on the Benaco website: http://www.benacosales.com/062707flyer.pdf Sam The Record Man Wednesday, June 27, 2007 @ 10:30am - Viewing: Tuesday, June 26, 12pm to 5pm On Location: 347 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario - Please enter off of Gould Street. Green P parking at Yonge & Dundas or Take Subway to Dundas Station. MEMORABILIA INCLUDING- 100+ AUTOGRAPHED PLAQUE MOUNTED POSTERS, FRAMED COMMEMORATIVE GOLD & PLATINUM RECORDS AND CD’S & AUTOGRAPHED SLATWALL BY; TINA TURNER, STEVEN TYLER, RAY CHARLES, BURTON CUMMINGS, GORDON LIGHTFOOT, BLUE RODEO, DAVID BOWIE, DAVE MATTHEWS, BRYAN ADAMS, 10’ ELVIS AND 8’ PATSY CLINE PICS, AND MANY MORE!