CHICAGO, IL.- Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, one of the nation’s leading auction houses, announced a single-owner auction of property from the Estate of David A. Stickelber. The auction imparts all the style of one of Kansas City’s leading performing and visual arts advocates, as well as of an accomplished businessman and a gracious host. Mr. Stickelber is perhaps remembered best by the enthusiasm with which he entertained, whether informally or in grand fashion at his Southmoreland, Kansas City home.

David Stickelber was born in 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Merlin A. and Marion Cronin Stickelber. After attending Georgetown University, Mr. Stickelber took over his father’s business, M.A. Stickelber and Sons, which manufactured equipment used by the baking industry. Throughout his life he assembled this graceful collection of 18th and 19th century French and English furniture, fine silver, objets de vertu, South and Southeast Asian antiquities, paintings, prints, and sculpture.

“David Stickelber had exceptional taste,” says Leslie Hindman, President and CEO. “He was incredibly well-known in Kansas City and made an enormous impact on the local arts community. As we learned more about his life through publicizing this auction, we were delighted to hear from many people who knew and respected him. Kansas City is emerging as an important market for us and it is our pleasure to offer his collection in a single-owner auction that is truly reflective of his style.”

Mr. Stickelber was trained as a pianist and versed in classical music as well as opera. Inspired by a former Georgetown classmate who was administrator of the Chicago Lyric Opera and later the Dallas Opera, Stickelber rallied other enthusiastic Kansas Citians to launch the Performing Arts Foundation. The organization’s goal was to bring one high-profile musical production or opera each year to Kansas City, and it can be credited with drawing such luminaries as Kitty Carlisle and Maria Callas to the Midwest. These shows were highlights of Kansas City’s arts scene for more than two decades. During those same years, Mr. Stickelber became a leading supporter of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. He was eventually appointed a Mary Atkins Trustee of the museum, and co-founded the Atkins Series which took advantage of his many friendships and connections in New York.

Mr. Stickelber’s collection embodies his appreciation for the arts as well as his love of hosting friends. We are honored to have the opportunity to work with the prominent members of the Kansas City community who knew him, and to handle the property from his estate.

Public preview for the sale will be held Saturday, November 3, 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.; Sunday, November 4, 12:00p.m.-4:00p.m.; and Monday-Wednesday, November 5-7, 10:00a.m.- 5:00p.m.