Ran across the following family history article in the Summer 1998 newsletter published by Kenneth S. Hays & Associates, Inc. (not copyrighted). Didn't find a BRENNAN surname group on Rootsweb. If any of you are aware of such a group on another listserver, you may want to forward this information as it includes some great genealogical information. I also recommend that you contact Kenneth Hays and ask to be added to the mailing list for their very nice little quarterly newsletter, which often includes other similar articles of interest to family historians, especially in Louisville, KY. Lois KENNETH S. HAYS & ASSOCIATES, INC. conducted an absolute auction of fine antiques for the estate of Opal Brennan in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday, July 18. This sale featured important late 17th and early 18th century English period furniture. The auction represented a lifetime collection of Charles II and Victorian furnishings as well as a treasury of wonderful objets d'art from most every category of collecting. Collectors and dealers from the southeast and mid-west attended the sale. The auction gallery was filled with interested buyers. A brief history of the Brennan family is needed to understand how the items are connected historically to the family. The Brennan House has been a well preserved Louisville historic landmark located at 631 S. Fifth Street. The home stands as a symbol of Louisville's prosperous and gracious past. Thomas Brennan, who owned the home in its heyday, came to this country as a poor Irish immigrant. He became both an inventor and an industrialist. Thomas founded Brennan &. Co. Southwestern Agricultural Works which eventually became the third largest manufacturer of grain drills and farm equipment. He and his wife had eight children. Thomas' two daughters were talented concert quality musicians and toured Europe. Of his six sons, two became prominent physicians. One, Dr. John Brennan, eventually came to own the Brennan House and opened a surgical wing there. At his death, he left the house and his estate to the Filson Club. The Filson Club is a philanthropic institution dedicated to preserving the history of Louisville and Kentucky. The intent of the Brennan family has been preserved and the Brennan House is open to the public for tours. The other son, Dr. Albert Brennan, became a prominent New York surgeon. His skills were renown and many famous people came to him for medical help. He was the doctor for the famous boxing champion, Jack Dempsey and served the newspaper columnist, Damon Runyon who wrote "Miracle on 34th Street" and the screenplay of "Guys &. Dolls". Dr. Brennan was the treasurer for the New York Yankees in the late 1930's and 1940's. Opal Brennan was married to Bruce Brennan, brother to Albert and John Brennan. Because there were no grandchildren, as brothers and sisters died, their possessions were inherited by the surviving members of the family. Upon Opal's death, many of the items were included in this sale in order to settle her estate. For signature buffs and collectors of paper memorabilia, the auction included several items of interest. One lot featured a couple of New York Yankee photographs including one of Babe Ruth. This lot sold for $.320. Two single photographs of Babe Ruth went for $140. A 1939 World Series Souvenir program [Yankees vs. Cincinnati Reds] reached $150 and a 1941 World Series Souvenir program [Yankees vs. Brooklyn Dodgers] $90. An autographed photograph of boxing champion Rocky Marciano was bid to $250 and an autographed photograph of Jack Dempsey reached $200. Featured in this auction was a collection of American made 14 kt. and 18 kt. pocket watches. Most were presented as Christmas gifts and were inscribed on the interior of the case. Included were five Elgin 14kt. yellow gold hunting case watches with beautifully engraved features and accented with a single diamond. It is unusual to find five box hinged watches of this caliber in one collection. One particularly fine example having a decorated porcelain dial was bid to $1,900. The four remaining examples sold as follows: two for $1,100 and two for $1,300. An 18 kt. hunting case pocket watch by the American Watch Co. sold for $700 and a 14kt. example by George Wolf &. Co. sold for the same amount. A 18kt. Patek Phillippe Co. wrist watch marketed by Tiffany & Co. was hammered for $2,100. The Brennan auction also included many sterling items which were hallmarks of a prominent family. A Tiffany sterling punch ladle having a 3-dimensional bust of a cavalier on the handle and a gold washed bowl demanded $1,650. A 118-piece set of Dominick & Haff sterling flatware in the Old English pattern sold for $1,500. A continual favorite with collectors was a 24-piece set of Tiffany sterling flatware in the Renaissance pattern which was appreciated for $ 1,000. For elegant travel needs, a Tiffany sterling gentleman's toiletry set in a tan leather case sold for $975. Other much appreciated Tiffany items that sold were: sterling box, $280; gold-tone Art Deco style hinged box by Tiffany Studios, $220; Tiffany applied enamel box, $1,000; II individual nut dishes, $260; and a sterling cup with floral motif, $300. A dozen Gorham sterling wine goblets with the family coat-of-arms produced $600. During Victorian times, a gentleman was generally seen in public with his walking cane. In most cases they were more decorative than utilitarian in nature. A nice array of canes were sold in this auction. A handsome cane with a combination watch and snuffbox handle was enthusiastically bid to $600. A cane with a sterling cap sold for $950. Beautiful hand sewn linens are always popular items. There is no more elegant way to decorate a table than to begin with a fine linen and/or lace tablecloth. A Battenburg lace tablecloth reached $400. Linen pillowcases with lace trim went for $400. Small English tapestry panels with gold tassels and wine colored velvet background sold for $ 1,600. Six other tapestry type table scarves which sold in pairs produced $500, $600 and $825. There were also numerous quilts in this auction. A silk and velvet crazy quilt with leaf and floral design created bidding to $650. Two different log cabin pattern quilts brought $550 each. A pair of small English velvet tapestries with gold thread heraldry sold for $2,000. The Victorians placed a high value on oriental carpeting. These carpets complimented the rich rosewood, walnut and mahogany woods and veneers used in their furniture. Several richly colored carpets, throw rugs and hand-woven mats were offered in this sale. A hand-knotted Persian Kashan throw rug [4'2" x 6'4"] echoed this appreciation to $3,500. A Sarouk throw rug [4'2" x 6'4"] reached $900. Stunning hand-painted porcelain plaques on fine German blanks with ornate gilt frames command high prices. A 7" oval framed example depicted a Greek lady in a blue draped costume carrying a pottery jug resulted in bidding to $3,800. Another example of a young girl holding a basket and a book went for $2,100. There were several ceramic oriental ginger jars that ranged in price from $1,800 to $3,000. Two Royal Vienna porcelain decorative plates with gold encrusted border were auction favorites. One featured a seated Greek lady and had a gold and wine border. This plate brought $2,000. The other featured a gypsy with a mandolin and had a gold and cobalt border. This plate fetched $1,800. A real treasure trove of English oak and American Victorian walnut furniture attracted a large number of buyers. The sale offered an Eastlake Victorian 3-piece walnut bedroom suite with buried features and foliate carvings. The suite elicited bids to $5.200. An equally appealing Victorian Renaissance Revival style marble top dresser sold for $900 and a Victorian walnut halfround etagere with mirror back was appreciated to $4,200. A dark oak bow glass china cabinet went for $1,150 and an antique cherry hinged lid blanket chest, $2,800. The diverse selection of English oak and mahogany furniture sold as follows: Queen Anne style secretary, $4,000; pair of Charles II style high back open arm chairs, $2,400; oak hunt table having 3-drawer configuration, $5,400; oak livery cupboard, $ 1,400; and pair of Charles II style high back open arm chairs, $1,400. A Steinway &. Sons oak "Living Room" grand piano from the 1920s period sold for $10,400. It had bulbous legs and the original paperwork. An unusual JN Goodwin mantel clock, made in London, went to a collector for $2,300. The case was in beautiful condition. For additional information regarding this auction or upcoming auctions locate us on our new web address: http://www.haysauction.com Kenneth S. Hays & Associates, Inc. Estate Auctioneers & Appraisers 120 South Spring Street Louisville, Kentucky 40206 (502) 584-4297