Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
HAS TAKEN HIGH RANK
THE AUCTION BUSINESS OF JAS.
w. RATCLIFFE.
He Has Constructed a Building Ad-
mirably Adapted to the Pur-
poses of His Trade.

Among the many well-established and
successful business enterprises in our city
Is that of which James w. Radcliffe Is head
in the conduct Of the auction business at
No. 920 Pennsylvania avenue northwest
This house was established in October.
1889. by the present proprietor and Mr.
Charles W. Darr, under the firm name Of
Radcliffe, Darr & Co., both Of whom
brought to 1t may years Of successful ex-
perience In the conduct Of the auction bust
ness, Mr.. Radcliffe having had at that time
twenty-five years practical experience as
an auctioneer.
From the very beginning this now uni
versally esteemed business house took rank
as leader in the business world Of Wash
ington, and many Of the most important
and successful sales OF real and personal
property made in the District of Columbia
since the establishment of the business have
been conducted by and through the house
now known as James w. Radcliffe, auc-
tioneer. In 1895 Mr.. Radcliffe purchased
from Mr.. Darr his interest In the business
and Mr.. Darr retired from the firm to be-
gin the practice Of law, and is now one Of
the prominent and successful attorneys of
our city.
Mr.. Radcliffe since that time has success
mis- prompt and business-like methods has
continued to grow and increase In the con-
f1dence of the public, and his long and
successful conduct Of his business has made
him an authority on the values of real and
personal property, while his advice and
counsel are frequently sought by the
courts, lawyers and citizens generally
as to the valuation Of real and per-
sonal property and by the government in
the condemnation Of real estate for public
uses.
The building used by Mr.. Radcliffe was
built especially for him and is, therefore,
particularly adapted to the purposes for
which 1t Is used. The two upper floors
are devoted to the storage of goods and
the two lower floors are used for the dis
play and sale Of furniture, art goods, rugs
and general merchandise. The building ex-
tends from the avenue front to street in
the rear. where all merchandise Is received
and by means Of large freight elevator
conveyed to any portion Of the house.
Mr.. Radcliffe Is one of the few auction
GERS whose business is conducted solely on
commission basis, as he neither buys or
sells on his own account. thus being able
to render to his patrons the best service
without the temptation of specializing at
the cost Of his consignors
Mr.. Radcliffe Of late years has made II his
especial business to act as auctioneer to
trustees in equity and in bankruptcy, and
in foreclosures under deeds of trust. real
and personal, TO receivers In equity causes.
collectors. executors and administrators in
probate, to attorrjays-at-law and in fact
and in the sale sf government property.
and he boasts that he numbers more attor-
neys-at-law among his patrons than all his
competitors combined, which fact alone
speaks volumes for his ability as an auc-
toner. as they are regarded as an auc-
tioneer's most critical patrons
1t requires a peculiar ability to sell
things Some men can acquire it; to others
1t is gift. Mr.. Radcliffe had this gift and
developed 1t to a remarkable degree. Not
only can he sell anything salable. but he
can get price for 1t. It Is this that has
made him so successful.