NEWS RELEASE
Media Inquiries Jo Snyder: 1.512 507 7867
pr@worldwideauctioneers.com
Auburn, Indiana. June 2nd, 2020. Worldwide Auctioneers, responsible for the sale of some of the world’s finest collector vehicles, is gearing up for a historic auction of one the most extensive curated offerings of authentic World War II artifacts, warbirds, vehicles, and militaria ever tendered in one place. Offered completely without reserve from the collections of the former National Military History Center and Hoosier Air Museum, it will sell alongside a selection of over 50 classic cars and an extensive assortment of fresh-to-market memorabilia at the Americana Festival Auction in Auburn, Indiana, on June 12th-13th. More than 1,500 lots are set to go under the hammer at no reserve during the two-day sale, with both live and online bidding available. Proceeds will benefit the J. Kruse Education Center, a dedicated 501(c)(3) organization providing career pathway development to veterans and students.
Among the many significant military offerings slated to sell at the Americana Festival Auction is a 1944 Dodge WC-57 Command Car, assigned to the 3rd Army motor pool during WWII and purpose-built for General Patton and his command. Also selling in Auburn are three outstanding vintage airplanes from the Hoosier Air Museum, including a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub used during World War II as the L-4 Grasshopper for reconnaissance, a 1944 Cessna UC-78 and a 1935 Speedbird, a one-off experimental aircraft with a two-seat, side-by-side arrangement.
They will be offered along with an extraordinary selection of authentic, museum-quality militaria from across the world, including uniforms, helmets, communication devices, flight suits and field kits, as well a range of rare personal mementos, each its own unique record of the time. “This entire offering presents both collectors and reenactors of global military history with a very significant and special opportunity,” said John Kruse, Principal and Auctioneer. “Taking inventory of such a distinctive selection of militaria during our current crisis has also served as a fitting reminder to me that we have triumphed over enormous adversity before, and we will again.”
Collectors and enthusiasts will also get the chance to bid over the weekend on a hand-picked selection of memorabilia, automobilia, petrolania, signs, advertising, toys, models and more, as well as an offering of over 50 great collector cars. The Americana Festival Auction is scheduled to run as both a live and simultaneous online event at Worldwide’s Auburn headquarters. The auction is open to the public with in-person bidding and is also scheduled to run simultaneously on three online partner platforms, Proxibid, Invaluble and LiveAuctioneers. Absentee and telephone bidding is also available to pre-registered, qualified buyers. The Dodge WC-57 Command Car and vintage planes will sell during the Militaria segment from 11am on Saturday, June 13th, with collector cars going under the hammer at 3pm that day. All inventory and the full schedule are online at worldwideauctioneers.com, along with details on admission. Interested parties should call 260.925.6789 for further details or email sales@worldwideauctioneers.com. As always, auction lots are available for scheduled private previews, with safe social distancing and sanitation protocols in place. To register as a bidder, visit worldwideauctioneers.com/bidder-registration.
“As the first major auction company to open its doors to the public again, the safety and well-being of our clients, team and the wider community is paramount,” said John Kruse. “We are committed to ensuring that everyone who joins us in person has an absolutely enjoyable, but ultimately safe experience.” The sale will be conducted at Kruse Plaza, Worldwide’s Auburn headquarters, with a dedicated implementation specialist directing all event and campus COVID-19 safety protocols, from on-site temperature checking and screening, to the provision of face coverings and promotion of social distancing through physical barriers and restrictions, with capacity limits strictly enforced according to state guidelines. Those planning to attend in person can review Worldwide’s detailed COVID-19 policies online at worldwideauctioneers.com.
The event’s main beneficiary is the J. Kruse Education Center, a dedicated 501(c)(3) organization providing career pathway development to veterans and students, creating an on-ramp that gives veterans a successful return to the workforce. Learn more about the mission and work of the J. Kruse Education Center here.
