Courtesy of EJ’s Auctions
James Ellwood spent more than 50 years collecting more than 2,000 unique vintage and antique cast iron trivets, which he displayed on nearly every inch of his Scottsdale. Ariz., home.
Now more than 1,400 cast iron trivets from the late Ellwood’s collection will be auctioned over two dates at EJ’s Auction & Appraisal, Glendale, Ariz. The first online auction starts at noon Friday and the second online auction will take place in February.
Ruthie Hunt, Ellwood’s daughter, said her father first became interested in collecting trivets in the early 1970s after he inherited his mother’s collection.
Courtesy of EJ’s Auctions
“He became obsessed,” Hunt said. “He loved iron so much that he opened an antique store in Old Town Scottsdale in the 1980s and named it ‘Irontiques.’ He also loved attending shows, and he would load up his Chevy van with trivets and travel to shows in Wickenburg, Calif., and other locations.”
Ellwood was born in Brooklyn, and moved to San Diego, where he served in the Navy. He later embarked on a career with Aflac, where he devoted more than 45 years of his life. His passion for collecting brought joy to his life and served as a source of inspiration for those who shared his interest. He was well known in the “trivet world” thanks to the book he co-wrote with Rob Roy Kelly, “A Collectors Guide to Trivets and Stands.”
Courtesy of EJ’s Auctions
Hunt said her father also collected iron toys, stands, rakes and stoves, but trivets were his passion.
“He had an eye for it, and he spent so much time learning about them that he could tell what was rare and what was a reproduction,” she said. “Serious trivet collectors would refer to his book and they would often reach out with questions. His book was published in 1990, before the internet, and at the time, there was not that much information available to trivet collectors.”
Courtesy of EJ’s Auctions
Erik Hoyer, EJ’s Auction & Appraisal’s CEO, said he was impressed with the condition of the collection.“It was clear that Mr. Ellwood took great pride in caring for each trivet,” Hoyer said. “We’re honored to represent such a noteworthy collection.”
Hunt said her father collected trivets up until two weeks prior to his passing at age 91.
“He was an amazing man who led a long, full life. And for us, it was a joy to watch him collecting trivets because he loved it so much. We hope that his trivets find their way to collectors who are as passionate as he was.”
EJ’s is open for public preview 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m.-noon on Saturdays. Collectors can view the trivets online and place bids now. Visit www.ejsauction.com or call 623-878-2003.
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