FW: Legendary Frank Cooke Collection Replace
Please replace current text (which is the email note I sent) with the attached; pasted release. 21 June, 2006 Brookfield, MA... Bonhams & Butterfields to Proudly Present the Legendary Frank Cooke Collection Rolls-Royces, a Stanley Steamer and property from the Vintage Garage Museum Collection, North Brookfield, MA June 21, 2006 - (Brookfield, MA) Bonhams & Butterfields, the world's fastest growing auction house, will conduct on September 23, 2006 an auction of the legendary Frank Cooke Collection, featuring rare Rolls-Royce motorcars, motorcar parts, a Stanley Steamer and accessories, and an impressive array of mechanical exhibits from the Museum Section of the Vintage Garage, in North Brookfield, MA. The late Frank Cooke (1913-2005) was a world-renowned expert in the field of optical engineering and optics technology, specializing in space optics with professional credits that include work on NASA's Galileo probe, and the Hubble telescope. "For motoring enthusiasts world-wide, Frank Cooke's Vintage Garage at North Brookfield is legendary, a true Aladdin's Cave reflecting the eclectic tastes of its owner, his interest in all things mechanical and especially the quirky and unusual," Malcolm Barber, Bonhams & Butterfields CEO, said. Although best known for his interest in Rolls-Royce motorcars -- and a wealth of such models will come under the hammer on September 23rd - his collection will also feature a humble 1907 Ford Model R 'Turtle Back' Two Passenger Runabout (est. at $20,000 - $25,000) as well as a 1910 Stanley Steamer 10hp Model 60 Runabout (estimated to fetch bids in the $60,000 - $70,000 range) restored in the Cooke workshops. The Quaboag Queen paddle steamer (est. $2,000 - $4,000) used for family outings on the nearby lake is perhaps in need of some gentle re-commissioning, while the quirky air-cooled 1906/1907 Franklin Model D 20hp Five Passenger Tourer motor car (estimated to draw $45,000 - $55,000) is a project which was nearly ready for the road at the time of Mr. Cooke's death. The Rolls-Royce collection is extraordinary in its depth and breadth - nothing for Frank Cooke could be ordinary! Undoubtedly an auction star and a landmark car in the history of Rolls-Royce is the sensational 1930 Factory Experimental and Development Rolls-Royce Phantom II 40/50hp - stunningly attractive with Whittingham and Mitchell Ltd Dual Cowl Sports Phaeton Coachwork -estimated to draw competitive bidding in the $250,000-$300,000 range, and according to specialists, quite at home on the concours d'elegance lawns. At the other end of the spectrum, Cooke derived much fun and enjoyment from his replica World War I armored car coachwork on a Silver Ghost chassis (estimated at $40,000 - $50,000) - christened by the collector as HMS Sherman - just the thing to drive around the neighborhood! The sensational 1957 Bentley S1 4.9-liter Two Door Continental Fastback Saloon (estimated at $90,000 - $120,000) represents the younger end of the collection, carefully hand-picked by Mr. Cooke as representing the super-car of its era, both in terms of mechanical finesse and coachwork styling. The collection embraces many project cars which Frank Cooke had intended to rework, but never got round to completing. The Museum Section of the Vintage Garage houses a unique collection of Rolls Royce and Bentley mechanical exhibits, exhibition-prepared engines, gearboxes and complete rolling chassis - Cooke being anxious to educate and share his mechanical knowledge - perhaps genius - with all who would take an interest. Collectors and interested bidders should not be surprised to stumble upon a mighty Rolls-Royce Merlin V12 Aero engine ($12,000 - $14,000) or by complete contrast, a circa 1911 Waterman outboard engine. Within the late collector's storerooms are a wealth in motor car spares - including stationery steam engines, Lionel trains, motoring clothing, motoring books and accessories -- all rare and elusive - a true magnet for the enthusiast, restorer, collector and dealer. "From the highly coveted Museum of Rolls Royce Engines, to the Steamers and vast array of Steamer parts, the Bentleys and a Ford -- this auction reflects the life-time passion of an extraordinary man - we're honored to have been selected to bring such a treasure trove to auction," Malcolm Barber remarked. Previews for the Frank Cooke Collection open to the public on Thursday, September 21st and Friday, September 22nd, the sale is September 23rd - onsite at the Vintage Garage, 113 South Main Street, Brookfield, MA. Catalogues for the North Brookfield sale will be online for review and purchase in the weeks preceding the sale at www.bonhams.com/us. For information on the sale or for an appraisal of property, call CEO Malcolm Barber at 415-503-3203, Motoring Dept. Director Mark Osborne, or Specialist, Andrew Reilly at 415-391-4000. -End- Further press information and images: Europe: Josephine Olley on +44 (0)207 468 8229, email: press@bonhams.com USA (West Coast): Levi Morgan on +1 414 503 3348, email: levi.morgan@bonhams.com USA (East Coast): Maria Writesel, +1 617 962 6856, email: mariawr@ix.netcom.com Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America and in August 2003, Goodmans, a leading Australian fine art and antiques auctioneer with salerooms in Sydney, joined the Bonhams Group of Companies. Today, Bonhams is the third largest and fastest growing auction house in the world with a global network of offices and regional representatives providing sales advice and valuation services in 20 countries. It offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further 10 throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, Monaco, and Australia. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of more than 40 Bonhams specialist departments, go to http://www.bonhams.com/. For other press releases, go to www.bonhams.com/press.