VANCOUVER.- A diverse range of international fine art, period furniture, estate jewelry and Asian pieces make up the 569 lots daytime auction at Maynards next Wednesday, September 18. Starting at 11:00 a.m., the auction is expected to attract a wide range of collectors as lots vary in estimated price points from $400 to $150,000.

Perhaps the most intriguing and noteworthy item up for grabs is a 19th century autograph book that belonged to Major Charles D.A. Loeffler (Major Loeffler), a German immigrant, who was the head doorkeeper to the President’s office at The Executive Mansion of Washington, from 1869 to 1909, for Presidents Ulysses S. Grant through Theodore Roosevelt.

Major Loeffler collected nearly 300 signatures from various Presidents, vice-presidents, senators, celebrities, foreign dignitaries, and Chief Justices of the period. Persons of interest include:

· Winston Churchill, who autographed the book in December, 1900, when he met with the then President, William McKinley, after he had been elected into Parliament for the first time.

· Buffalo Bill Cody - the world’s most famous American in his time.

The 19th century autograph book has been valued at $10,000 to $15,000.

The auction also features three desirable sculptures from highly respected German sculptor, Johann Philipp Ferdinand Preiss. Preiss was the co-founder of Preiss & Kassler, a Berlin based firm that specialized in limited edition Art Deco cabinet sculptures made of ivory. The firm was known worldwide for its high quality ivory sculptures and exported to England and the United States until it closed with Preiss’ death in 1943.

Preiss’ sculptures up for auction include:

· Lot 27: Con Brio ivory, bronze, onyx circa 1920, stamped valued $6,000 to $8,000

· Lot 28: Torch Dancer ivory, bronze, onyx circa 1920, stamped valued $6,000 to $8,000

· Lot 29: Clock with Arab Servants ivory, bronze, onyx circa 1920, stamped valued $ 2,000 to $3,000

Of further interest is a Tricertops Dinosaur skull from the late Cretaceous Period (approximately 70 million years ago) that spans 62 inches in length and 45 inches in width. The skull still contains most of its upper and lower teeth and has an estimated value between $50,000 to $70,000. Previously a key feature in a Japanese museum in Kyoto, the Tricertops is one of the last of its collection still available.