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Estate of Richard and Shirley Roberts, Virginia Beach, Virginia | October 29, 2026

Thu, Oct 29, 2026 10:30AM EDT
  2026-10-29 10:30:00 2026-10-29 10:30:00 America/New_York Brunk Auctions Brunk Auctions : Estate of Richard and Shirley Roberts, Virginia Beach, Virginia | October 29, 2026 https://live.brunkauctions.com/auctions/brunk/estate-of-richard-and-shirley-roberts-virginia-beach-virginia-october-29-2026-23916
Dick & Shirley Roberts assembled a world-class collection of American furniture, paintings, maps, early Catesby prints, silver and porcelain, working with top dealers including Israel Sack, Liverant & Son, Deanne Levison, Arader, Shrubsole and others. Major centers of furniture making are represented: Boston, Portsmouth, Newport, Connecticut, Philadelphia and Charleston, with paintings by Jane Peterson, JC Beckwith, Childe Hassam, Willard Metcalf & Edmund Tarbell, among others. Silver by John Ewan, John Carter, Robert Reading, extensive selection of Francis I pattern; and early Chinese export. Brunk Auctions support@brunkauctions.com
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Rodman Family Newport Chippendale Mahogany Bonnet Top Secretary, Goddard-Townsend School
Lot 518

Rodman Family Newport Chippendale Mahogany Bonnet Top Secretary, Goddard-Townsend School

Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000
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Starting Bid
$15,000
[0 Bids]Bidding History
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$0 $25
$100 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

attributed to Rhode Island, second half 18th century, upper section with swan neck crest centering flame and urn finial, double arched doors with finely fitted interior, lower section fallboard with matching fitted interior and prospect door enclosing a small drawer, four long graduated drawers with lip molded edges, white pine and red and white cedar secondaries, 87-1/2 x 37 x 22 in., writing height 28-1/2 in.

Provenance: Per Liverant and Son notes, descended directly in the Rodman family of Newport and Peacedale, Rhode Island, with the following line of descent: Made for Dr. Thomas Rodman (Newport, R.I. 1683-1775);

second generation family owner uncertain;

Isaac Peace Rodman (1822-1862);

Samuel Rodman (1858-?);

Samuel Lyman Rodman (1894-1967);

Thomas Rodman (1948-?);

Nathan Liverant and Son, Colchester, Connecticut, September 1994 (accompanied by copy of receipt for $125,000);

Estate of Richard and Shirley Roberts, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Literature: Deanne Levison, "Living with Antiques: A Collection on the Chesapeake Bay", The Magazine Antiques (December 2001), pp. 806-807, pl. VI.

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Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction, or will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.

Per Liverant and Son notes, descended directly in the Rodman family of Newport and Peacedale, Rhode Island, with the following line of descent: Made for Dr. Thomas Rodman (Newport, R.I. 1683-1775);

second generation family owner uncertain;

Isaac Peace Rodman (1822-1862);

Samuel Rodman (1858-?);

Samuel Lyman Rodman (1894-1967);

Thomas Rodman (1948-?);

Nathan Liverant and Son, Colchester, Connecticut, September 1994 (accompanied by copy of receipt for $125,000);

Estate of Richard and Shirley Roberts, Virginia Beach, Virginia

this secretary survives in good condition with some minor edge repairs and drawer work, brasses mostly replaced, per Liverant notes three escutcheons original, finial probably replaced, feet pieced 2-1/2 in. Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.

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