Article: Final bids; Facing mortality, auctioneer sells items from his own home

By SHIRA SCHOENBERG

Monitor staff

It was the natural way for Richard Withington to distribute his antiques before he dies.

On Thursday, the 89-year-old auctioneer, sporting an eye patch and cane, held his 2,458th auction, displaying the wit and good humor that have made him legendary in the antique world. Before more than 250 bidders, Withington sold 100 items from his home. A rare wooden nightstand from his bedroom garnered $32,000. When a prized bureau took in just $20,000, he said he planned to buy it back.

"I love these things, and I don't want to sell them," Withington said as he walked through his Hillsboro home this week. "But if I'm going to die in a few weeks, I won't miss them."

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