Once the Gavel Falls, Shipper Goes to Work Packing Pieces of History

Posted on August 22, 2007 by Bill Dube

Indianapolis, IN– Navis Pack & Ship, a packing and shipping franchise that specializes in fragile and valuable art and antiques, has its hands, trucks and warehouse full this week packing items auctioned by the Sisters of Providence and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Navis Pack & Ship was the exclusive shipper on-site at the four-day auction, which attracted a large on-site audience to Terre Haute, Indiana, as well as a worldwide audience of online and telephone bidders.  Buyers contracted with Navis to pack and ship some of the auction’s biggest and most valuable items, including an 8 x 12 foot oil painting, a painting attributed to Reubens, a Lalique vase, 36” cloisonné vases valued at $19000, nun dolls valued from $100 to $5000, an 8 x 4-foot library table, other pieces of furniture; and several rare 200-year-old fore-edge painted books. Fore-edge books have a hidden painting on the page edges that can only be seen when the pages are fanned. In addition, Navis is consulting on the packing and shipping of a huge marble statue mounted on a 36-inch pedestal over a marble floor.

Auctions represent a big and growing market for Navis since buyers usually must make their own shipping arrangements and meet strict deadlines for removing their purchases. Finding a shipper with the expertise to safely pack and transport extremely fragile or irreplaceable goods can be a difficult and time-consuming process. Auctioneers or appraisers often help by recommending experienced shippers.

In the weeks leading up to the event, Navis Pack & Ship provided dozens of shipping quotes to people planning to bid. Working from the photos and descriptions, Navis personnel prepared individual estimates that took into account the fragility of each item, its value and destination.

As an alumna of the college, Navis Pack & Ship franchise operator Susan Craven had a special interest in this event. Her business has been the exclusive shipper for several other notable auctions in the Indianapolis area, including Indy racing team auctions, Winona Hospital and the Hilbert estate.  Navis Pack & Ship also is the recommended shipper for Antique Helper, a fine arts and antique on-line auction company based in Indianapolis.

About Navis

Navis provides commercial, industrial and residential customers with specialized packaging, transportation and logistics for items that are difficult to ship, such as high-value electronics, machinery, antiques and fine art. Founded in 1980 as a single retail store, the company now operates more than 130 franchised warehouses and retail stores in the United States and Canada and has plans to open more than 200 additional units. 

Franchisees receive extensive training in handling fragile, large, awkward and valuable goods, which equips them to safely ship almost anything, virtually anywhere in the world.