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Beachwood, OH, USA, November 1, 2024 -- A Bvlgari 18K white gold and pave diamonds Serpenti viper ring more than doubled its high estimate to finish at $11,685; an Hermes Ebene Clemence Birkin 42 shoulder bag realized $8,610; and a men’s Rolex Sea-Dweller Deep Sea wristwatch rang up $6,765 in Neue Auctions’ online-only Property of a Gentleman auction held on October 18th.

The tidy, 191-lot auction featured a single-owner’s collection of luxury items, jewelry and art. Most of the artwork was purchased from galleries in California over the last 20 years. The luxury items, including fine watches and jewelry, were in nice condition, some with original box and papers. Very few items had reserves. The Friday noon start is now standard for Neue Auctions.

The dazzling Bvlgari Serpenti viper ring in 18K white gold boasted 1.74 carats of brilliant-cut pave diamonds. The ring, one coil, came with the original boxes and weighed approximately 9 grams. It easily blasted through its $3,000-$5,000 pre-sale estimate to be the auction’s top lot.

The Hermes Ebene Clemence Jean Paul Gaultier designed Shoulder Birkin 42 bag, with Palladium plated hardware, lock, keys, clochette, dust bag and original box, sold within estimate. Another Hermes bag, a Birkin 40 bag, Ebene Barenia Faubourg, in brown leather with palladium plated hardware, full leather lining, dust bag and original box, brought $6,072.

The men's Rolex Sea-Dweller Deep-Sea stainless-steel watch with oyster case, style 116660, had a rotating bezel, a domed synthetic sapphire crystal and titanium alloy case back, a helium valve at 9 o'clock, and a black dial with white hands. It came with the original box and papers.

It wasn’t the usual Neue Auctions sale, and the numbers bore than out: 71 percent of participants were first-time bidders with Neue Auctions, while the remaining 28.4 percent were returning bidders. Bidders came from 20 different countries (although 93.3 percent were in the U.S.). Second and third runners-up were Canada and the UK. The farthest away was New Zealand.

“This was a different sale for us, as we usually handle antiques and older works of art,” said Cynthia Maciejewski, a manager at Neue Auctions. “We’re hoping to receive more auction consignments like this in the future. It's a competitive market and there are several auction houses in our area. Fortunately, we've been able to stand out amongst them in our industry."

Following are additional highlights from the auction. Internet bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Prices quoted include a 23 percent buyer’s premium.

A Cartier Panthère de Cartier white gold, diamond and emerald ring, so-named because it’s in the shape of a panther, set with about 72 brilliant-cut pave diamonds totaling 0.68 carats, went for $5,658. The ring had inset emerald eyes and a black onyx nose, plus two original boxes.

A book titled David Hockney, A Bigger Book, published by Taschen (2016), a collector’s edition packed with pages of artworks by the renowned artist, on a tri-color metal and Plexiglas stand, achieved $3,690. The book, number 6905 of 10,000, was signed by Hockney on the frontpiece.

A Cartier 18K white gold 'Juste Un Clou' bangle bracelet, size 19, a hinge and clasp bracelet in the form of a nail, marked Cartier, with original box, exterior box and booklet, hit $4,305.

There were several surprising sleeper lots in the sale. One was an assortment of 18K gold and sterling charms by Tiffany & Co., Pink and Monica Rich Kosann. The group had a total approximate weight of 90 grams and sailed past its $300-$500 estimate to garner $1,599.

Another was the Hermes sterling silver Chain D'Ancre link bracelet with 14 links, stamped AG.925 with hallmarks, weighing 2.60421.ozt and 81 grams. The 9-inch long bracelet was listed in the auction catalog with an estimate of $500-$900, but it ended up settling at $1,599.

Lastly, and more whimsically, a contemporary blue metal dragon figure, 28 inches tall, in very good condition, was supposed to hammer for $75-$150, but bidders pushed that to $861.

Next up for Neue Auctions is the sale of the Charles Hartman & Associates Collection, Curated by Time & Taste on Friday, November 22nd; and an American & European Antiques auction on Friday, December 13th, both online-only, with start times of 12 o’clock noon EST.

To learn more about Neue Auctions and the firm’s calendar of upcoming auctions, please visit www.neueauctions.com. Updates are posted frequently. “Lately, Neue Auctions has been making videos of certain lots and posting them to Instagram and our YouTube channel, so bidders can have a better understanding of an item’s size, detail and sparkle,” Maciejewski said.

About Neue Auctions:
Neue Auctions invites everyone to be added to its email list to receive notices and info regarding current and future sales. The firm is always seeking quality consignments. To inquire about consigning a single item, a collection or an estate, you may call Cynthia Maciejewksi or Bridget McWilliams at 216-245-6707; or, you or can email them at cynthia@neueauctions.com or bridget@neueauctions.com. To learn more about Neue Auctions and the firm’s calendar of upcoming auctions, please visit www.neueauctions.com. Updates are posted frequently.

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A Bvlgari 18K white gold and pave diamonds Serpenti viper ring more than doubled its high estimate to finish at $11,685; an Hermes Ebene Clemence Birkin 42 shoulder bag realized $8,610; and a men’s Rolex Sea-Dweller Deep Sea wristwatch rang up $6,765 in Neue Auctions’ online-only Property of a Gentleman auction held on October 18th.

The tidy, 191-lot auction featured a single-owner’s collection of luxury items, jewelry and art. Most of the artwork was purchased from galleries in California over the last 20 years. The luxury items, including fine watches and jewelry, were in nice condition, some with original box and papers. Very few items had reserves. The Friday noon start is now standard for Neue Auctions.

The dazzling Bvlgari Serpenti viper ring in 18K white gold boasted 1.74 carats of brilliant-cut pave diamonds. The ring, one coil, came with the original boxes and weighed approximately 9 grams. It easily blasted through its $3,000-$5,000 pre-sale estimate to be the auction’s top lot.

The Hermes Ebene Clemence Jean Paul Gaultier designed Shoulder Birkin 42 bag, with Palladium plated hardware, lock, keys, clochette, dust bag and original box, sold within estimate. Another Hermes bag, a Birkin 40 bag, Ebene Barenia Faubourg, in brown leather with palladium plated hardware, full leather lining, dust bag and original box, brought $6,072.

The men's Rolex Sea-Dweller Deep-Sea stainless-steel watch with oyster case, style 116660, had a rotating bezel, a domed synthetic sapphire crystal and titanium alloy case back, a helium valve at 9 o'clock, and a black dial with white hands. It came with the original box and papers.

It wasn’t the usual Neue Auctions sale, and the numbers bore than out: 71 percent of participants were first-time bidders with Neue Auctions, while the remaining 28.4 percent were returning bidders. Bidders came from 20 different countries (although 93.3 percent were in the U.S.). Second and third runners-up were Canada and the UK. The farthest away was New Zealand.

“This was a different sale for us, as we usually handle antiques and older works of art,” said Cynthia Maciejewski, a manager at Neue Auctions. “We’re hoping to receive more auction consignments like this in the future. It's a competitive market and there are several auction houses in our area. Fortunately, we've been able to stand out amongst them in our industry."

Following are additional highlights from the auction. Internet bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Prices quoted include a 23 percent buyer’s premium.

A Cartier Panthère de Cartier white gold, diamond and emerald ring, so-named because it’s in the shape of a panther, set with about 72 brilliant-cut pave diamonds totaling 0.68 carats, went for $5,658. The ring had inset emerald eyes and a black onyx nose, plus two original boxes.

A book titled David Hockney, A Bigger Book, published by Taschen (2016), a collector’s edition packed with pages of artworks by the renowned artist, on a tri-color metal and Plexiglas stand, achieved $3,690. The book, number 6905 of 10,000, was signed by Hockney on the frontpiece.

A Cartier 18K white gold 'Juste Un Clou' bangle bracelet, size 19, a hinge and clasp bracelet in the form of a nail, marked Cartier, with original box, exterior box and booklet, hit $4,305.

There were several surprising sleeper lots in the sale. One was an assortment of 18K gold and sterling charms by Tiffany & Co., Pink and Monica Rich Kosann. The group had a total approximate weight of 90 grams and sailed past its $300-$500 estimate to garner $1,599.

Another was the Hermes sterling silver Chain D'Ancre link bracelet with 14 links, stamped AG.925 with hallmarks, weighing 2.60421.ozt and 81 grams. The 9-inch long bracelet was listed in the auction catalog with an estimate of $500-$900, but it ended up settling at $1,599.

Lastly, and more whimsically, a contemporary blue metal dragon figure, 28 inches tall, in very good condition, was supposed to hammer for $75-$150, but bidders pushed that to $861.

Next up for Neue Auctions is the sale of the Charles Hartman & Associates Collection, Curated by Time & Taste on Friday, November 22nd; and an American & European Antiques auction on Friday, December 13th, both online-only, with start times of 12 o’clock noon EST.

To learn more about Neue Auctions and the firm’s calendar of upcoming auctions, please visit www.neueauctions.com. Updates are posted frequently. “Lately, Neue Auctions has been making videos of certain lots and posting them to Instagram and our YouTube channel, so bidders can have a better understanding of an item’s size, detail and sparkle,” Maciejewski said.

About Neue Auctions:
Neue Auctions invites everyone to be added to its email list to receive notices and info regarding current and future sales. The firm is always seeking quality consignments. To inquire about consigning a single item, a collection or an estate, you may call Cynthia Maciejewksi or Bridget McWilliams at 216-245-6707; or, you or can email them at cynthia@neueauctions.com or bridget@neueauctions.com. To learn more about Neue Auctions and the firm’s calendar of upcoming auctions, please visit www.neueauctions.com. Updates are posted frequently.

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Atlanta, GA, USA, November 2, 2024 -- A 1997 Steinway ebony Model M baby grand piano with Jansen bench, an 18th century Chippendale oval giltwood mirror and an important collection of Chinese Export armorial porcelain will headline an Estates & Collections auction scheduled for Thursday, November 14th by Ahlers & Ogletree, online and live in the Atlanta gallery, starting promptly at 10 am Eastern time.

The auction will showcase an exceptional collection of 388 lots, sourced from distinguished estates in the southern United States and featuring classical bronze sculptures, chandeliers, decorative and fine arts, furniture and more.

Highlights will include works by renowned artists such as Hughes Claude Pissarro and Maximilien Luce; exquisite furniture by Francesco Molon; Reed & Barton silver; and stunning Italian and Persian textiles and rugs.

The 1997 Steinway ebony Model M baby grand piano shows the maker’s mark and the serial number to a metal plate, and is accompanied by a Jansen black diamond tufted artist bench with Steinway & Sons logos and J3 spade legs. It’s the auction’s expected top lot, with an estimate of $12,000-$18,000.

The 18th century oval giltwood George II or George III Chinese Chippendale mirror after a design by Thomas Chippendale (English, 1718-1779) is impressive at 86 inches tall by 50 inches wide. It shows a figure beneath a pagoda hung with bells and flanked by ho-ho birds and should hit $10,000-$15,000. It comes from a private collection in South Georgia where it was the prized possession of the collection’s owner.

A rare circa 1720 Chinese Export armorial charger, one of several lots of hard-to-find Chinese Export armorial chargers in the auction, most likely comes from a series of 23 ordered in the 1720s after the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht. A related charger is in the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass.

The Kangxi era Dutch market Export famille verte (Chinese porcelain showing a green enamel overglaze over blues, purples, yellows and iron red) ‘Provinces’ armorial charger has a diapered ground with a figural landscape, floral and birds and sea life reserves. It should realize $5,000-$10,000.

An oil on paper laid to canvas by Maximilien Luce (French, 1858-1941), titled Rolleboise Baigneuese (Rolleboise Bathers), is signed and dated (1940) lower left and signed lower right. It’s nicely framed and comes with an inscription from Jean Bouin Luce, confirming its authenticity (est. $4,000-$8,000).

A pair of circa 1860 Napoleon III gilt bronze and gray-green porphyry four-light candelabra, each having scrolled acanthus form arms, drip pans, and nozzles, on a tapering shaft, on a square plinth with Classical plaque, and rising on scrolled feet, about 35 inches tall, should reach $4,000-$8,000.

A monumental Shreve &. Co. (American, founded 1894) sterling silver tray in the Louis XVI taste, having a reticulated shaped lip decorated with floral baskets, appropriately marked with pattern number 9878, 17 ½ inches in diameter and weighing 141.32 ozt., has an estimate of $4,000-$5,000.

An untitled (Countryside Landscape View of a Church) pastel on paper painting by Hughes Claude Pissarro (French, b. 1935), signed lower left and measuring 10 inches by 14 ¼ inches (minus the fame, which measures 16 ¾ inches by 20 ¾ inches), is expected to change hands for $3,000-$5,000.

A Louis Courvoisier (1758-1832), Courvoisier & Cie, Louis XVI period 'Pendule' D'Officier' carriage clock, the ormolu case applied with embossed rosettes and boughs of oak in a wreath, with a hanging ring motif of a snake biting its tail, plus paw feet, should hammer for $2,000-$4,000.

An English, circa 1820 Regency (or William IV) mahogany and mahogany veneer sideboard, having double sarcophagus-form pedestals with inlaid doors, lift-top cellarette, four-drawers, and rising on front paw feet, 41 ½ inches tall by 85 ½ inches wide, should command $2,000-$4,000.

A large, palace size hand-knotted Sarouk rug decorated in colors of blue, red, salmon and olive green, 16 feet 5 inches by 12 feet 7 inches, is estimated to garner $1,800-$3,600.

A four-piece, 800 silver hot water beverage set in the Empire taste, possibly South/Central American or Continental, consisting of a coffee pot, a teapot, a covered sugar bowl and a cream jug, all stamped '800' and weighing a total 76.38 ozt., carries a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-$3,000.

A handsome English, 19th century mahogany and mahogany veneer bureau bookcase (or secretary) in the George III Chippendale taste, stamped for the Chubb lock company, located at 57 St. Paul's Church Yard in England from 1827-1877 but otherwise unmarked, should sell for $2,000-$4,000.

A Queen Anne black, red and gilt japanned cased clock by Richard Wilson (English, d. 1807), a regal clock standing 102 inches in height by 21 ¼ inches wide, has an estimate of $2,000-$3,000.

Online bidding will be available at bid.AandOauctions.com, as well as LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted. A preview will be held Monday thru Wednesday, November 11th-13th, from 10 am to 5 pm Eastern time, in the Ahlers & Ogletree gallery located at 1788 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard NW in Atlanta. No appointment is needed.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree and the Estates & Collections auction planned for Thursday, November 14th, beginning at 10 am Eastern time, please visit www.aandoauctions.com. You can also follow A&O on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

About Ahlers & Ogletree:
Ahlers & Ogletree is always seeking quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly at 404-869-2478; or, you can send them an e-mail, at consign@AandOauctions.com. To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree please visit www.aandoauctions.com. You can also follow A&O on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

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Westport, MA resident Jacob Almeida was recently named co-founder of Hope4Hardship, a Massachusetts non-profit organization providing complimentary services to homeowners facing the devastating threat of being foreclosed on and losing their home.

Almeida will serve in this role in addition to his duties as a broker at the Century21 Signature Properties, 980 Reed Road in Dartmouth, MA.

“We’re grateful to have Jacob on board in this important mission of helping homeowners successfully navigate the complex intricacies of avoiding foreclosure,” said Michael Russell, founder of Hope4Hardship. “Jacob has been an invaluable asset to us at CENTURY 21 and I know he will bring his knowledge, compassion and wisdom from his own experiences to Hope4Hardship.”

Shares Almeida, “In my 20s, I owned some rental properties and was doing well. Then the crash hit in ’08 and both foreclosure and bankruptcy were a looming possibility. Thankfully, I was able to avoid both, but it is a path I had to forge alone. When the opportunity was presented to me, to support, guide and educate folks facing the same plight I did, it was a no brainer to hop on board.”

Almeida became a sales professional with CENTURY 21 in 2019. Prior to that, he worked in an IT role for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“When my son got to an age where he was playing baseball and involved in other activities, I wanted to be able to be there to see games or even coach. I’d always had an interest in real estate and the timing was right for a career change,” said Almeida. “It was a great move for our family. Now, with Hope4Hardship, I can help other families too.”

Almeida, a New Bedford, MA native, and his wife live with their daughter and two sons.

Hope4Hardship’s services include consultation, representation on behalf of the homeowner in talks with banks and mortgage companies, administrative support, assistance application services and ongoing consultation. As a non-profit organization, Hope 4 Hardship offers its extensive services free of charge.

Whether it’s finding a way to keep your home or exploring other options, Hope4Hardship is committed to guiding homeowners toward the best possible outcome.

If you or someone you know is facing foreclosure or in the process being foreclosed, it’s essential to explore all options before making any life-altering decisions. Hope4Hardship is here to help. To schedule a confidential consultation, call 508-501-9214 or email help@hope4hardship.com.

About Hope 4 Hardship:
Hope 4 Hardship is a non-profit corporation dedicated to helping homeowners in financial distress avoid foreclosure and find a path to financial recovery. Founded by Michael Russell, the organization has already helped thousands of homeowners regain control of their financial future. For more information, visit http://www.hope4hardship.org.

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A colorful and vibrant vase and an equally dazzling Malfrey pot, each marked Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre and both designed by Daisy Makeig Jones; a lovely signed Daum Nancy French cameo and enamel art glass vase; and a floriform vase signed L.C. Tiffany-Favrile are just a few of the highlight lots in an auction slated for Saturday, December 7th by Woody Auction, live and online.

Officially titled a High-Quality Art Glass and Antiques Auction, the sale has a start time of 9:30 am Central. An automated online-only auction featuring 354 lots of similar items will be held the day before, on Friday, December 6th, starting promptly at 8 am Central time, exclusively on LiveAuctioneers.com.

The December 7th auction will be held online (thru LiveAuctioneers.com) as well as live in the auction hall located at 130 Third Street in Douglass. In total, 305 lots will cross the auction block, all with no reserves. There is also no buyer’s premium (BP) for those in attendance (when paying with cash or check) and no sales tax will be collected from bidders present at the auction (or residing in Kansas).

“Join us for our last major auction event of the year, where history meets elegance,” said Jason Woody of Woody Auction. “Our multi-genre antique auction features a captivating array of collectibles, from French and English cameo and hand painted Limoges to rare Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre and American and Brilliant Period cut glass.”

Mr. Woody added, “Whether you're an avid collector or a first-time bidder, there's something for everyone. Find that perfect piece to elevate your home or expand your collection. Don’t miss your chance to own a slice of history. Bid with us and let the charm of the past inspire your present.”

With a pre-sale estimate of $15,000-$20,000, the covered vase marked Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre (#Z4968, on vase #2046) is the sale’s expected top lot. The vase, lot #80 in the catalog, has a Temple on a Rock pattern and boasts exceptional quality and condition. It is exactly as featured in Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre Book by Una Des Fontaines, on page 126. It’s from the Paul Pellet estate collection.

From the same collection, lot #30 is the Malfrey pot marked Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre (#Z5463) in the Bubbles pattern, 7 ½ inches tall. It has an incredible lid and a design that features a spider and web with a trapped fairy. The pot is of exceptional quality and should change hands for $10,000-$15,000.

Lot 64 is the early 1900s signed Daum Nancy French cameo and enamel art glass vase, 15 ¼ inches tall with a yellow and white mottled ground and a colorful enamel branch and berry décor (est. $2,000-$3,500).

Lot 107 is a beautiful example of a floriform art glass vase signed L.C. Tiffany-Favrile (#1085d), 12 inches tall, white opal with a green pulled feather design. It is expected to finish at $2,000-$3,500.

Lot 35 is an extremely rare miniature art glass vase, 2 ½ inches tall, a cabinet piece signed L.C. Tiffany (#N1978), iridescent green with a silver pulled feather design. It should gavel for $1,500-$2,500.

Lot 60 is a highly detailed English cameo art glass vase, 9 inches tall, with bright citrine yellow ground and amazing white cameo cutback overlay featuring a rose, lily and butterfly décor (est. $1,500-$2,500).

Lot 113 is a four-sided magnum paperweight, dated 1997 and signed Buzzini. The Earth and Roots paperweight, 4 ¾ inches tall, is exceptionally detailed and has a beautiful lampwork bouquet design (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Lot 140 is a porcelain, hand-painted game set marked L.R.L. Limoges, artist signed “De Nemouns”, having an exceptional 19 inch by 14 inch tray (or platter) and ten 9 ½ inch diameter plates. Each piece has lavender water lily highlights (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Lot 288 is a circa 1894 four-lily epergne attributed to Thomas Webb & Son, with blown glass ball shape lilies, a yellow and white pulled feather design, a cranberry threaded exterior and three clear bent leaf highlights, all mounted on a beveled mirror base. It’s 11 ½ inches in height (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Lot 18 is a rare form paperweight center bowl signed Rick Ayotte, dated 2003 (est. $1,000-$1,600). The large magnum size paperweight center has an attached bowl that’s amethyst shading to clear and boasts a beautiful lavender and white rose floral bouquet.

A preview will be held on Friday, December 6th, from 1-5 pm, in the Woody Auction auction hall.

Here is a link to Woody Auction’s "landing page" on LiveAuctioneers.com: www.liveauctioneers.com/woody-auction-llc. The catalog in its entirety will be posted online soon. Bidders should register 48 hours in advance. Absentee bids will require a written statement indicating the amount of the bid. Deadline is noon, Dec. 5. Absentee bids will be charged a buyer’s premium of 15 percent of the selling price + shipping (10 percent if paying by cash or check). The catalog in its entirety will be posted online soon.

Telephone bidding is available for lots with a low estimate of $750 or greater (low estimates can be found on LiveAuctioneers.com). Email your phone bid list to info@woodyauction.com by noon on Wednesday, December 4th. Include your name, address, primary phone number and backup phone number. You’ll get a phone call to confirm receipt of your bid list.

“We do our best to keep shipping costs as low as possible while wrapping everything securely to arrive at your home in excellent condition,” Mr. Woody said. “We pass our UPS discount on to our clients.”

Woody Auction has attempted to call any flaws that can affect the value of an item, but final determination is left to the buyer. Common nicks and scratches have not been called.

As for area lodging, Woody Auction has several suggestions: the Comfort Inn in Augusta, Kan.: 316-260-3006 (mention Woody Auction for a single queen or king room rate of $79 plus tax when booked directly with them); Holiday Inn Express, Andover, Kan.: 316-733-8833; and the Hampton Inn, Derby, Kan.: 316-425-7900. All three are located within a 15-20-minute drive of the Woody auction hall.

To learn more about Woody Auction and the auction slated for Saturday, December 7th, by Woody Auction, starting at 9:30 am Central time, online and live in Douglass, Kansas, visit www.woodyauction.com.

About Woody Auction:
Woody Auction is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or collection, you may call (316) 747-2694; or, send an email to info@woodyauction.com. To learn more about Woody Auction, visit www.woodyauction.com.

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Plymouth, MA, October 31, 2024 -- The latest edition of Making College Happen: An Insightful Guide to Making Savvy Financial Decisions and Cutting College Costs is now available on Amazon. In this updated version, financial aid consultant Howard Freedman demystifies the college selection process for students and their families while providing a roadmap to help them navigate the maze of financial requirements and understand the best approaches to make informative, value-added decisions.

Employing a witty—even humorous—style, Making College Happen offers real-world, expert advice to help readers define goals and secure the financial resources needed.

“Making College Happen can help students and their families gain clarity on what can often be an overwhelming journey, from choosing the right schools and other options, while understanding financial aid opportunities,” said Freedman, who founded Financial Aid Consulting in 2002. “With this new edition, I wanted to dive deeper into several critical topics, including maximizing financial aid opportunities, the best financing choices, college visit evaluation strategies, financial assistance appeals, and seeking employment after graduation.

“This latest edition has also been carefully updated to reflect recent changes in the financial aid landscape, including the redesign of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), including changes to the calculations and analysis,” added Freedman. “As with previous editions, Making College Happen offers clear, actionable steps to help students and their families understand and enjoy the journey to college.

Freedman received his BS in Business Management from Northeastern University and an MBA from Suffolk University in Boston. Over his twenty-plus years as a financial aid consultant, he’s helped hundreds of students. This includes his time as the ACCESS program manager for the Boston Public Schools in 2003 when he provided financial aid services and scholarships to a diverse population of more than 2,700 high school seniors.

Freedman resides in Plymouth, Massachusetts with his wife Clara.

Making College Happen is available on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3AiRBDa) in paperback and Kindle formats.

About the Author:
Howard Freedman published the first edition of Making College Happen in 2014. He is a highly respected college financial aid consultant and strategic planning expert. He aims to empower students to pursue their college dreams without overwhelming financial strain. For more information about Freedman and Making College Happen, visit https://www.financialaidconsulting.com

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New Hamburg, ON, Canada, October 26, 2024 -- An outstanding single-owner collection of vintage and antique toys, many of them rare German and Japanese examples, plus Canadiana and historic objects, will come up for bid in two days of online-only auctions slated for Friday and Saturday, November 8th and 9th by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., with different start times for each day.

The November 8th sale of toys, 208 lots in all, featuring the Phil Barnett collection, is an online-only auction with no live webcast portion. Lots will close in sequential order beginning at 5pm Eastern time that day. The November 9th sale of Canadiana, Toys & Historic Objects will close via live webcast starting at 9am Eastern time that day; more than 360 lots will come up for bid.

“The Phil Barnett collection affords collectors of toys, Canadiana and oddities a rare opportunity to pick from his treasure trove,” said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions. Ltd. “Phil is a great storyteller. Every object he collected tells a story and he took pride in his toys. From Bing to Bandai, you’ll find rarities like nowhere else, with condition that only a trained eye could vet.”

Many of the higher-dollar lots can be found in the November 9th session. These will be led by an extremely rare circa 1920 lithographed tin eight-man scull with coxswain toy made by Gunthermann, one of the elite German toy companies. The magnificent large toy (29 inches in length) depicts a racing team in blue and white uniforms on a light brown scull. It has the same synchronized rowing action as a real scull and carries a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-$12,000.

All prices quoted in this report are in Canadian dollars.

Equally scarce is the circa 1905-1910 lithographed tin toy depicting a Coupe Gordon Bennet No. 5 race car made by the Siegfried Gunthermann Adolf Weigel company. The toy retains the original toy and passenger and is in very good original condition, with the chain-driven clockwork mechanism tested and working. It’s a toy that rarely comes to auction and is found in some of the world’s best toy collections and museums. It’s expected to bring $8,000-$10,000.

An American Kentucky flintlock rifle made by Nicholas Hawk (1782-1844, Monroe County, Pa.), .46 calibre, with a barrel length of 31 ½ inches (and overall 47 inches long), should hit the target for $6,000-$8,000. The barrel is signed “Nicholas Hawk Gunsmith” in script on a brass inlay and the stock is tiger maple. Hawk built a reputation for producing high-quality firearms detailed with intricate brass and silver engravings and inlays, and this rifle is a fine example.

A Canadian Pequegnat “Nelson” Hall clock with a quarter cut oak case, made during the Berlin period (1904-1916), is considered the rarest of the Pequegnat Hall clocks. Only a few are known to exist. Features include a key, original pendulum stick and bob, original finish (with overall crazing), original beveled glass, original acorns on chains, original weights, a Berlin signed movement and a full label on the rear door. The 81 ¼ inch clock should realize $3,500-$5,000.

Switching over to November 8th, a German 1930s lithographed tin T-694 toy motorcycle with sidecar, made by Tipp & Co., a company known for their high-quality and realistic toys, has an estimate of $2,000-$3,000. It’s a great display piece, boasting excellent gloss and color, and is tested and working, in very good original condition. It’s marked “Made in Germany” below the driver’s left foot and “Dunlop Cord” on the wheels. The Tipp & Co. logo appears multiple times.

A German 1930s lithographed tin delivery cart made by Saalheimer & Strauss, in very good condition, should roll away for $2,000-$2,500. The company boasts in its 1932 catalog: “Our motorcycles are steerable and with dust-tight built-in rear wheel. The coaches are removable.” The toy is marked “Made in Germany” to the driver’s left and “Dunlop Cord” on the wheels.

A Japanese lithographed tin toy Ford Edsel made by the Asahi Toy Company is expected to reach $1,200-$1,500. It’s in very good to excellent original condition and the friction motor is tested and working. Asahi was a major post-war manufacturer of mechanical toys with an emphasis on scale-like models of then-contemporary vehicles. They had a Santa Claus logo.

Also up for bid on November 8th, several lots are expected to finish at $600-$900. Included is a 1950s German lithographed tin toy Arnold Mac 700 motorcycle, marked “Made in U.S.-Zone Germany.” After World War II, when American authorities occupied certain parts of Germany, toys, in order to be exported out Germany, had to be marked, “Made in U.S.- Zone Germany”. This toy is marked “Mac 700” on the gas tank and “Arnold” on the wheels and top front fender.

A 1950s Japanese-made Packard Patrician toy car, made by ALPS, considered one of the quality Japanese toy makers, has an estimate of $1,200-$1,500. The 16 ½ inch vehicle, marked “ALPS made in Japan, is tested and working, even retaining the original hood ornament. The Packard Patrician was more prestigious than the regular Packard. It was built for the upper class, the elites, as a way for Packard to keep pace with luxury auto makers like Cadillac and Lincoln.

A German 1930s four funnel tinplate windup toy ocean liner, likely made by Carette or Arnold, is a great display piece showing a good overall patina. It’s 9 inches in length (est. $600-$900).

A Japanese 1950s lithographed tin toy Edsel with the original box, made by HAJI, is estimated to hammer for $600-$900. HAJI produced primarily toy cars for only a short period, from 1951 to the late 1960s. Their toys were of high quality and today are highly sought after by collectors. This example is tested and working and is in very good condition. It’s marked “HAJI” on the box and the rear of the front seat bench, “Edsel” on the rear side panels, and “E” on the hubcaps.

Internet bidding will be through www.MillerandMillerAuctions.com, plus the popular bidding platform LiveAuctioneers.com. Here is a link to the Toys auction, on Friday, November 8th: https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/auctions/4-EYQBRR/toys-featuring-the-phil-barnett-collection. Here is a link to the Canadiana, Toys & Historic Objects auction on Saturday, November 9th: https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/auctions/4-EXK3L1/canadiana-toys-historic-objects.

This is an online-only auction. There will be no in-person event to attend, but bidders can tune in to the live webcast November 8th and 9th to watch lots close in real time. In-gallery previews will be held Wednesday and Thursday, November 6th and 7th, from 12 o’clock noon ‘til 5pm Eastern time each day in the Miller & Miller showroom, at 59 Webster Street in New Hamburg, Ontario.

To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and the auctions on November 8th & 9th, visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.

About Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.:
Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. is Canada’s trusted seller of high-value collections and is always accepting quality consignments. The firm specializes in watches and jewelry, art, antiques and high-value collectibles. Its mission is to provide collectors with a trusted place to buy and sell. To consign a single piece, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (519) 573-3710; or, you can e-mail them at info@millerandmillerauctions.com. To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., please visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.

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New Orleans, LA -- Spectacular sculptures by Augustus Saint-Gaudens (American, 1848-1907) and Salvatore Florenti Albano (Italian, 1841-1893), and an original oil on canvas painting by Daniel Ridgway Knight (American/Paris, 1839-1924) are expected headliners in an Important November Estates Auction planned for November 8th and 9th by Crescent City Auction Gallery.

The auction – 916 lots in all – will be held online and live in the Crescent City Gallery located at 1330 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. Start times both days are 10 am Central time. Featured will be the curated Outsider Art collection of Daryl Sue and Leonard White of Covington, La.; and items from the estate of Laura Simon Nelson, previously married to Dr. James Nelson of Baton Rouge, La.

The bronze Head of Christ by Augustus Saint-Gaudens is from the Memorial of Reverend Phillips Brooks, housed at Trinity Church on Copley Square in Boston from 1896-1907. The sculpture is 1 of 2, cast in the 1960s after the plaster original (per the original Sotheby’s catalog description). Pieces by Saint-Gaudens are highly prized. This one should bring $40,000-$60,000.

The carved Carrara marble sculpture by Salvatore Florenti Albano was created in 1897 and titled L’Amore E Psiche (Cupid and Psyche). It has a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$40,000. Albano was a Neoclassical sculptor with numerous patrons in Italy, London and New York. L’Amore E Psiche is a mature work executed in the last years of his illustrious career.

The oil on canvas painting by Daniel Ridgway Knight, titled Lavandiere, was rendered circa the 1880s and carries a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$40,000. Knight was an American artist born in Chambersburg, Pa., but he lived and worked much of his life in Paris, where he painted peasant women outdoors to great popular success. Lavandiere is a fine representation of his work.

The rest of the catalog is an eclectic mix of merchandise, filled with the kinds of items people have come to expect from Cresent City Auction Gallery: fine jewelry (plus a men’s 18k yellow gold and stainless-steel Rolex Submariner black wristwatch, est. $12,000-$15,000); oil paintings by local and regional artists; French furniture; sterling silver; mirrors; art glass; and decorative accessories.

Items range from a late 19th century Adam-style crème and verte paint decorated parcel gilt over-the-mantel mirror with Wedgwood roundels (est. $3,000-$5,000); a 20th century Story and Clark burled walnut and ebonized baby grand piano, Manhattan model with original bench (est. $2,500-$4,500); to a circa 1816-1817 English sterling silver covered dish by William Elliot of London (est. $2,500-$3,500).

An oil on canvas painting by Pauline Lennard Palmer (American, 1867-1938), titled The New Book (1930), signed and dated lower right and housed in a 57 ½ inch by 47 ¼ inch frame, is expected to bring $5,000-$7,000. Palmer was a prolific Chicago artist and a pioneering American Impressionist, regarded by the New York Times as one of the leading American women painters.

An oil on canvas backed by Masonite painting by Mary Jett Franklin (Ga./Paris, 1842-1928), titled Dans la sacristie de (l’eglise) Bagneux (In the Sacristy of the Church at Bagneux), 1900, should change hands for $3,000-$5,000. Franklin was an extraordinary and successful female artist of her time – a genre and portrait painter who was born in Georgia and studied in Paris.

Paintings by local and regional artists will feature three oils on artist board by the renowned black folk artist Clementine Hunter (La., 1887-1989), including Baptism (est. $5,000-$7,000); and three enamel on carved wood panels by Herbert “Coon” Singleton (Moroccan/La., 1945-2007), including Hallelujah (Onward Brass Marching Band) and Jazz Funeral Procession (est. $5,000-$9,000).

Paintings by noted American artists will be plentiful and will include these vibrant examples:

- An oil on canvas painting by Charles Courtney Curran, A.N.A. (1861-1942), titled Chrysanthemums (1890) (est. $6,000-$9,000).

- An oil on wood panel painting by Addison Thomas Millar (Ohio/N.Y., 1860-1923), titled The Rug Shop, circa 1912 (est. $4,000-$6,000).

- An oil on canvas backed by board by Guy Carlton Wiggins (N.Y./Conn., 1883-1962), titled New England Meadow Land (est. $2,000-$4,000).

- A paint on found wooden barrel head by Benny Carter (N.C., 1943-2014), titled Birds Eye View of New York City (est. $2,000-$4,000).

- A painted carved wood relief mounted on wood plaque with handwritten scriptures by Howard Finster (Ga., 1916-2001), titled Angel from God, Man of Many Visions (1997) (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Switching to French furniture, expected top lots include a 19th century French Provincial Louis XV style oak armoire (est. $1,000-$2,000); a 19th century Louis XV style marble-top parquetry bombe commode having a molded serpentine shaped marble top (est. $800-$1,200); and a pair of French Restoration carved mahogany fauteuils (open-armed armchairs), the astragal molded restrained crest over an upholstered back flanked by an anthemion topped stile (est. $500-$900).

Other furniture pieces will feature a 20th century 11-piece Spanish Renaissance style carved oak dining group set (est. $700-$1,200); and an English leather Chesterfield sofa (est. $600-$900).

Also up for bid will be a carved sandstone sculpture by Lonnie B. Holley (Ala., b. 1950), titled Three Faces, 1999 (est. $1,500-$2,500); a fine pair of 19th century Italian pietra dure (inlaid with precious or semi-precious stones) marble consoles (est. $1,000-$2,000); and a mixed media sculptural work by Charles Gilliam, Sr. (La., b. 1945), titled Adam & Eve, 1999 (est. $400-$800).

Internet bidding will be provided by the company website (CrescentCityAuctionGallery.com) and app, as well as LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be taken. In-person previews will be held beginning Wednesday, Oct. 30, through Thursday, Nov. 7, excluding weekend days, from 10 am to 5 pm Central time. No appointment is necessary.

Absentee and phone bids will be accepted until 1 pm Central time the day before the auction. A 28 percent buyer’s premium will be applied for online bidders or those paying with a credit card. A 25 percent buyer’s premium will be applied in-house. A printed catalog is available; please call 504-529-5057 or send a request via email to info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

For more information regarding Crescent City Auction Gallery and the two-day Important Estates Auction planned for Friday and Saturday, November 8th and 9th, beginning at 10 am Central time both days, visit www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. Updates are posted often.

About Crescent City Auction Gallery:
Crescent City Auction Gallery is always seeking quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you can call them at (504) 529-5057; or you can send an e-mail to info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com. All phone calls and e-mails are confidential. For more information regarding Crescent City Auction Gallery visit www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. Updates are posted often.

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Wilton, CT, USA, October 24, 2024 -- Americans will go to the polls on Tuesday, November 5th, to elect a new president, but a different kind of presidential history might be made less than a week earlier – on Wednesday, October 30th. That’s when University Archives, the Connecticut-based auction house, will offer a complete set of presidential signatures, from George Washington to Barack Obama, all signed while the men were in office.

The group, gathered by a Dallas gentleman who stopped collecting the signatures after Obama’s presidency, consists of autograph letters signed; typed letters signed; and signed letters; together with a variety of signed documents. They date from 1789 to 2010 and all show bold signatures.

The online-only auction will begin promptly at 10 am Eastern time and the presidential set, lot #89 in the catalog, has a pre-auction estimate of $400,000-$500,000.

“There are very few complete sets of presidential autographs signed as President, mainly due to the scarcity of William Henry Harrison pieces, as he served just one month in office,” said John Reznikoff, the president and owner of University Archives. “Many of these sets reside in institutions and will never be offered to the public.”

Mr. Reznikoff added that, based on a census taken by Joseph Rubinfine in 2002 and updated by Seth Kaller in 2023, “it is believed that fewer than a dozen such sets likely exist in private hands, this being one of the very best. A set of presidential signatures as President is thus scarcer than a set of signers of the Declaration of Independence.”

The Dallas collector, who wishes to remain anonymous, was described by Mr. Reznikoff as “a man whose passion for history and preservation inspired him to assemble this phenomenal, museum-quality signers set.”

Mr. Reznikoff is a frequent guest on TV and a main character on the hit Netflix TV show The King of Collectibles. He started collecting at age eight, when he wrote a letter to then-President Richard Nixon. He said it takes years, if not decades, to accumulate a collection like the one being offered.

“The collector let us know that this set was, and is, stored in climate-controlled vaults, which is kind of like keeping a rare car in a garage,” Reznikoff said. “He told me the collection has never been exhibited. He hopes a new buyer will take that on, maybe even showing it at the White House with a newly installed president.”

All of the signed items are fascinating snapshots into the lives of America’s past presidents and the times in which they lived and served. All are historically significant as well as being highly collectible. A handful of examples are as follows:

- George Washinton. A two-page letter dated October 3, 1789 and signed “Go: Washington”. America’s first president transmits the first Acts of Congress (including the Judiciary Act of 1789 and the First Federal Budget) to Connecticut Governor Samuel Huntington.

- Thomas Jefferson. A one-page letter signed “Th Jefferson”, dated December 13, 1803. In the letter, to an unnamed Governor, Jefferson circulates the 12th Amendment to the Constitution for ratification, regarding the election of President and Vice President, to avoid a crisis like that of the 1801 election.

- William Henry Harrison. Harrison served exactly one month in office – from March 4 to April 4, 1841. In that brief time, he signed a ship’s passport (“posthumously issued”) for a doomed whaling vessel. The document, dated April 30, 1841, is signed “W H Harrison” and countersigned “Danl Webster” as Secretary of State.

- Abraham Lincoln. In a document signed (as “Abraham Lincoln”) on July 24, 1863, just three weeks after the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln calls for 2,406 more men from the 18th District of Pennsylvania. It’s one of the first draft calls ever signed, and was executed a week after the New York Draft Riots.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt. In a typewritten letter dated July 28, 1939 and signed “Franklin D. Roosevelt”, FDR writes to sculptor Gutzon Borglum regarding his monumental work, Mount Rushmore, and “the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Project under the provisions of Reorganization Plan No. II, approved June 7, 1939.”

- John F. Kennedy. After Columbia Records President Goddard Lieberson sent JFK an audio recording of America’s first manned space flight with astronaut Alan Shepard, Kennedy signed a typed letter of thanks (as “John Kennedy”) on White House stationery, dated May 16, 1961, saying he was “delighted to have this memento.”

- Barack Obama. In an autograph note written on White House stationery, dated March 2, 2010 and signed “Barack Obama”, the President assures a Pennsylvania mother that he will do “everything in my power to make troops like Matthew my priority. Please tell him ‘thank you for your service’ from his Commander-in-Chief!”

Collectors who want even more than what is offered in this collection will be pleased to learn that many items in the 490-lot catalog are items signed by past presidents that also include Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Items signed by Democratic candidate for President Kamala Harris are also in the sale.

All lots in the catalog are up for viewing and bidding now on the newly redesigned University Archives website – www.UniversityArchives.com – as well as LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and Auctionzip.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

Here is a link to the catalog on the University Archives website: https://www.universityarchives.com/auction-catalog/rare-autographs-manuscripts-books_E6Q0WAIS7L

Mr. Reznikoff said the signed presidents set joins a great volume of exceptional presidential autographed material from other consignors. “A timely assortment up for auction just a few weeks ahead of the 2024 United States presidential election,” he said. Outstanding items of historical interest from the Science, World Leaders, Civil Rights, Religion, Art & Music, Aviation & Space, History & Military, and Sports categories will also pass the auction block.

University Archives has become world-renowned as a go-to source for rare items of this kind. It is actively seeking quality material for future auctions, presenting a rare opportunity for sellers. Anyone who has a single item or a collection that may be a fit for a future University Archives auction may call John Reznikoff at 203-454-0111, or email him at john@universityarchives.com.

For more information about University Archives and the 490-lot, online-only Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books auction scheduled for Wednesday, October 30th, starting at 10am Eastern time, please visit www.universityarchives.com. Updates are posted frequently.

About University Archives:
University Archives was founded in 1979, as a division of University Stamp Company, by John Reznikoff, who started collecting stamps and coins in 1968, while in the third grade. Industry-wide, Reznikoff is considered the leading authenticity expert for manuscripts and documents. He consults with law enforcement, dealers, auction houses and both major authentication companies. University Archives’ offices are located at 88 Danbury Road (Suite #2A) in Wilton, Conn. For more information about University Archives please visit www.universityarchives.com

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Oxford, PA, October 24, 2024 -- Healthcare bills are rife with error and completely dysfunctional. Yet people are forced to pay-up or get dragged into a collection process they are certain to lose and see their credit destroyed. In The Big Lie in my Healthcare Bill: Why I Don’t Owe What My Insurer Fails to Pay, Frank Lobb exposes the lie in healthcare billing and how together with a ruling from the U. S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), consumers have a simple means of stopping a healthcare bill dead in its tracks.

“According to CFPB, healthcare providers can now be made to prove a bill is accurate before it can be enforced. In other words, a consumer can force the provider to prove a bill is accurate, rather than having to prove a bill is inaccurate to escape an egregious healthcare bill. Simply put, CFPB has completely reversed the burden of proof in healthcare billing,” said Lobb, “My book exposes the lie in healthcare billing and provides a step-by-step approach to fighting these error-laden fraudulent bills and winning”.

Lobb’s a step-by-step approach requires nothing more than asking a few simple questions that CFPB is advising consumers to ask on every healthcare bill. The approach isn’t an attempt to skip out on a bill, but rather a simple no-risk means of forcing the healthcare industry to adhere to the terms of their own contracts, i.e., the terms and conditions in their secret in-network Provider Agreements.

“A recent study in Decker’s Hospital Review estimated 80 percent of the nation’s healthcare bills are in error. That’s not surprising when you consider there are some 77,000 different billing codes in the system and the participants can’t agree on how those should be applied,” said Lobb. “Insurers choose to combine the care patients receive into a single code to cut the cost of what they have to pay. Doctors, hospitals and the other providers of healthcare services bill each and every code to create a larger and more profitable bill.”

The inspiration to expose the billing restrictions in the healthcare industry’s secret Provider Agreements began years ago for Lobb.

“These restrictions were directly responsible for the death of my wife Sandra. Regrettably, I only got to see them after extensive litigation,” said Lobb.

Following that discovery were years of failed attempts to share what he had learned — years that can only be described as an absolute bust because the insurance industry with their big money fought him at every turn.

“I lost hope of ever being able to expose the misrepresentation and outright fraud that I uncovered. However, CFPB has come to my rescue,” said Lobb.

The Big Lie in My Healthcare Bill, available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble in paperback for $19.99, is not just another book on our broken healthcare system. It’s a game changer! I it not only explains the care, coverage and billing patients are ACTUALLY owed from health insurance, but it provides templates for the letters needed to demand CFPB’s new burden of proof — a burden providers cannot meet given the terms of their secret Provider Agreements.

Frank Lobb is available for speaking engagements, virtually and in person to discuss this earthshaking development in healthcare billing and can be contacted through either of two websites https://killabill.com/.

About the author, Frank Lobb:
Frank Lobb is a retired U.S. Navy pilot with a long and distinguished career outside the Navy, including roles as General Manager for DuPont Process Instruments and then for DuPont’s Environmental Services business. After retiring from DuPont, Frank served as a Principal Consultant at Monsanto and then Clean Air Engineering on regulatory law and compliance. It was this extensive background in the law and compliance that allowed Frank to be credited with forcing EPA to scrap 3-years of work on the Clean Air Act and rewrite the compliance section of Act around his recommendations. And it was this same background and expertise that allowed Frank to access and dissect the carefully hidden contractual provisions that the healthcare insurance industry uses to deny the care and coverage patients are owed from their health insurance.

Now 86, Frank, lives on a 200-acre working-farm with Angie his English wife in Chester County Pennsylvania, along with Angie’s 17 ducks and their two English Springer Spaniels. From there, together with their son and son-in-law, they own and operate the leading hardware and supply business in the region. And, in keeping with his age and longstanding promise to Angie, Frank has promised that this will be his very last book on healthcare, because he has finally found the solution to the fraud and misrepresentation in the nation’s health insurance that he has sought for so long.