News
Moss Estate Auction Draws Hundreds In Rumson
By John Burton
RUMSON - Given the collection of personal memorabilia, antiques, bric-a-brac, and a substantial collection of historical items on auction last Saturday, it appeared the late George H. Moss Jr. never discarded anything.
Moss, a historian and author of numerous books on regional history, died Feb. 25 at the age of 85.
On Saturday, the possessions he had accumulated during a long and eventful life were placed up for bid at the Moss home at 39 Rumson Road.
"There was nobody comparable to George Moss," fellow historian and Rumson resident Michael Steinhorn said.
Steinhorn was one of an estimated 400 people who attended the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. auction conducted by William Barron of W. Barron Galleries, Inc., Wall.
About 200 people had registered to bid in the auction, Barron said, adding that "You can usually double that for attendance," at such an event.
The auctioneers erected two large tents on the Moss property, with one dedicated to home furnishings, antiques, and personal effects that included duck decoys, photography and stereo equipment and furniture and household items. The second tent was dedicated to Moss's personal historical collection.
The list of items to be auctioned was a treasure trove for history buffs, with collections of sepia-toned photos and photographic glass plates, row upon row of books, maps, and historic documents bearing the signatures of royalty as well as newspapers headlining historic moments so well preserved that they looked as if they were purchased from the newsstand yesterday.
Barron said there were approximately 350 items up for auction in the tent containing the historical collection, and another 450 items awaiting bidders in the other tent.
"He had a little bit of everything," Barron said of Moss.
"Anybody who collects this kind of stuff has to love it," noted Linda Palumbo, who traveled from Garfield to attend the auction.
The items on auction spanned many decades of American history.
Moss enlisted in the Army in World War II, serving in the Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.), the predecessor to the CIA. Afterwards he worked in the financial industry in New York City and eventually became a member of the New York Stock Exchange.
Following his retirement, Moss embarked on a second career as a historian, serving as official historian for the Borough of Rumson and for Monmouth County for many years. Moss also authored a series of books, including Nauvoo To The Shore: The Iconography of a Barrier Beach, Twice Told Tales and Steamboat To The Shore detailing the history of the region.
Moss also served on the borough council from 1978 to his retirement in 2004.
Barron recalled seeing Moss appear at auctions, adding to his personal collections, and chatting with the auctioneer. "He was always giving with his time," Barron remembered.
Frederick Kniesler, Upper Freehold, who is vice chairman of the Monmouth County Park System, said he was impressed with the scope of Moss's collection. "This is outstanding and unique to Monmouth County," he said.
Kniesler was on hand to add to his own personal collection, which he acknowledged is growing, to the chagrin of family members. "This type of thing - you come for educational purposes," he said of the auction.
"From what I can see he was a history buff," noted Don Lieberman, Garfield, who wasn't aware of Moss's role as a collector and historian.
"The range and breadth of it," Steinhorn said of Moss's collection, "is really amazing."
