Maine Antique Digest, December 2016

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Maine Antique Digest, December 2016 39-A
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(202) 466-8888 • (800) 422-8889 •
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Insuring fine homes and prized possessions since 1917
Rago Expands into New York
and Connecticut
Maine Files Suit against Brewer Auctioneer
Rago Arts and Auction Center, a full-service auction
house in Lambertville, New Jersey, with annual sales
of $33 million, is expanding its reach into Westchester
County, New York, and Connecticut by adding a dedicated
representative to the region.
Jennifer Pitman, formerly head of sale, silver, at Christie’s
in New York City and a 20-year auction veteran, will spear-
head the expansion. Pitman, a Westchester County resident,
said, “Over the years we’ve seen the larger auction houses
move away from a number of traditional collecting catego-
ries and increase the minimum value for property they will
take. This shift leaves clients with fewer options and a lot of
property up for grabs. The simplicity and competitiveness of
Rago’s fee structure, their diverse sale categories, and their
nimbleness and flexibility in working with clients makes
them a very appealing option for clients.”
Pitman said she’s eager to expand Rago’s loyal following
by building the firm’s profile and client base in the region.
Future plans include lectures, sponsorships, valuation days,
and a wide range of innovative ways to assist clients with
appraisals, buying, and selling.
For more information, call (917) 745-2730 or e-mail
>.
The Maine Board of Licensing of Auctioneers
within the Department of Professional and
Financial Regulation recently referred a num-
ber of cases to the Maine attorney general’s office for
disposition. In response, the attorney general’s office
has filed a civil action in Kennebec County Superior
Court against Maine auctioneer Jeffrey S. Roberts,
who does business as Picadilly Place Auction Gallery.
Roberts’s auction gallery was previously in Hal-
lowell and is now in Brewer at 153 State Street, Suite
12. The board and attorney general’s office are alleg-
ing violations of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices
Act, including at least 22 complaints filed by consign-
ors and buyers against this auctioneer.
The consignors allege that Roberts has failed to
remit auction proceeds, failed to account for property,
auctioned property without consignment contracts,
used nonconforming contracts, failed to keep proper
records, made misrepresentations to consignors,
engaged in unprofessional conduct, aided and abetted
the unlicensed practice of auctioneering, engaged in
misconduct, employed an unqualified assistant, and
breached his fiduciary duty to his consignors. The
complaints were filed between December 2014 and
September 2016.
The Superior Court complaint filed by the attorney
general’s office requests preliminary and permanent
injunctions seeking restitution for consignors and pro-
hibiting Roberts from engaging in auctioneering, and
seeks fines, costs, and attorney fees.
The department and board are “cautioning people
from engaging the auctioneering services of Jeffrey
S. Roberts, who has also done business as Picadilly
Place Auction Gallery.” The board encourages anyone
with information regarding this auctioneer to contact
Karen Bivins at >.
Fragments