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Ralph Willard is truly one of the "old timers" in the estate sales business. Years of experience haven't dimmed his love for the business and you can expect Ralph to handle a heavy calendar of sales throughout the year. And if that isn't enough -- he stays busy putting on various Antique Shows in Dallas, Austin, and Houston. Ralph has lots of loyal fans and why not -- he treats everyone like a old time friend. Check out his sales and see if you don't agree!
Services: Appraisals, Estate Sales.
To Contact Ralph Willard ...
Phone ... (214) 826-2584
E-Mail Address ... rwillard@tx.rr.com
FYI ... Coming up the 1st week in December ... The Tower Antique Show in the Food & Fiber Pavilion at Fair Park. December 4th thru the 6th. For more information visit Ralph's website (www.ralphwillardantiqueshows.com)
MORE ABOUT RALPH ...
Estate Sale Professional ... Antique Show Promoter ... The Rifle Hall @ Round Top Proprietor! Sounds like three different people, but actually it’s one Ringmaster ... Ralph Willard. In 2007, he managed to conduct 19 estate sales, produce 5 antique shows, and exhibit his personal antiques and collectibles at The Rifle Hall @ Round Top twice ... April & October. When does this 40-year veteran of the antique business sleep? Rarely ... is our guess!
So how did Ralph Willard get where he is today? Let’s start with some FUN FACTS! Ralph is originally from Missouri. In his late teens / early 20's he was a regular performer on The Ozark Jubilee television series hosted by Country Hall of Fame legend, Red Foley. Ralph’s claim to fame ... toe tapping, square dancing performances! Patsy Cline, one of America’s most beloved female vocalists, rewarded his efforts with a "kiss on the cheek." During the run of the television series Ralph visited "Big D" and fell in love with the City. Instead of returning to the series ... he decided to stay in Dallas. But in the end Ralph returned for one more season and appeared with Red Foley in the U.S.A and 5-Star Jubilee Shows.
Fast Forward 40 years ...
Ralph Willard, perhaps Dallas’ best known estate sale professional, has conducted hundreds of sales in Dallas, Fort Worth and the Mid-Cities. When he started ... Sellers numbered in the single digits; today, you’ll find pages devoted to estate sellers. But through it all, Ralph continues to do what he does best ...
- Provide excellent service to his clients ... before, during and after the sale;
- Provide a fun shopping experience for customers;
- Use his vast knowledge and experience of antiques and collectibles to set up and price sales.
For most people ... that would be enough of a career ... but for Ralph, it’s just the start. When he’s not conducting estate sales ... he’s producing antique shows in Dallas, Austin & Houston ... 5 shows a year. The first show, The Tower Antique Show, debuted in Dallas December 1994, in the Food & Fiber Building at Fair Park. It opened with forty-two dealers that Christmas. This past December, the show numbered eighty of the best antique dealers in the Southwest. Thinking of joining this elite group of dealers ... think again. The Show is FULL with a waiting list.
In 1999, Ralph expanded his antique shows to include the Texas Capitol City Antique Show that was originally owned by Emma Lee Turney, accomplished author and originator of the Original Round Top Antiques Fair. Emma Lee Turney is world renowned for her business savvy, her knowledge of antiques and collecting trends, and how to produce, direct, and manage exhibitions and shows. Ralph couldn’t have chosen a better mentor for his own antique show career. The most recent addition to Ralph’s shows occurred in 2002, when he added the Houston Antique Show to his annual events!
Ralph’s Newest Achievement ... In 2007, he became Proprietor of The Rifle Hall @ Round Top (semi-annual event in April & October)
First ... a little history. In October 1967 Emma Lee Turney founded the original Round Top Antiques Fair in the little town of Round Top. Who joined the Round Top matriarch that year? Why of course, Ralph Willard. One of the original twenty-two dealers, Ralph has been a fixture at The Rifle Hall each spring and fall for the past forty-one years. But this year ... expect a new twist on a grand tradition. With Ralph as promoter and long-time exhibitor, The Rifle Hall expands its ceremonies to include the 1st Annual Spring Jubilee in conjunction with the Round Top Chamber of Commerce and The Rifle Hall Association. The festivities begin April 1st with the coronation of the Jubilee Queen, the opening of The Rifle Hall Antique Show & Exhibition, and a lots of toe-tapping music performed by a prominent local band! Add to that ... food catered by The Legal Tender saloon ... and you’ve got a start to a great antique weekend! All courtesy of Ralph.
Now ... do you think you know Ralph Willard? We hope we’ve been able to tell you something you didn’t know before. But we do have a NEWS FLASH! Later in the month ... Ralph will be welcoming you to his new website with more information about him ... his services ... and a Calendar events for all three loves of his life ... estate sales, antique shows, and The Rifle Hall @ Round Top. Be watching for details!
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