The Collection of Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans

When I think of auctions, the image that comes to mind is one of boredom. Paddles lethargically raised into the air as a monotone voice calls out items and their prices. My experience at the auction of the collection of Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans, great-granddaughter of Washington Duke, was the exact opposite.

The auction took place August 25 at the Washington Duke Inn. Walking into the auction room felt like walking into a royal palace in Europe, not a hotel. The room was filled with intricately handcrafted tables from 18th century France, luxurious 19th century French couches, brilliant sets of silver pieces, fashionable Louis Vuitton purses, a vast collection of art ranging from the 1700s to the 21st century and a 1915 Steinway Grand Piano.

Following Semans' passing in January 2012, her family hired Brunk Auctions to represent them and sell her possessions, said Aaron Edwards, public relations director for Brunk Auctions. The collection comes from her family’s four homes in New York City and three estates in the Durham area.



As people settled down into their seats, I noticed that the crowd consisted mostly of elderly attendees and was sprinkled with a few middle-aged couples and the occasional child. The bidders also included absentee, online and telephone bidders.

Then the fun began. The auctioneer briefly described a silver coffee pot, and then started pointing around and speaking so quickly that it was hard to follow him. It was slightly comedic watching people's faces shoot back and forth as multiple buyers aggressively out-bid one another on items. Although the catalog gave estimates of selling prices, many items far exceeded their predictions. For example, a set of four silver-plated urns, which were estimated to be sold at $200, went for $1,100.

The auction perpetuated the legacy of Semans, a powerful member of the Duke community and renowned philanthropist, whose spirit will be kept alive through her collection.