Absentee bids let you place your maximum bid on an item before the live auction begins. During the live show, we’ll continue bidding on your behalf up to your max bid — just like leaving a bid with a traditional auctioneer.
When you place an absentee bid, you’ll choose a bid strategy. Your chosen strategy determines how the current bid will be set at the time your bid is placed. Your maximum bid always remains confidential.
The available strategies are:
🐢 Slow & Steady — starts your bid low and lets others chase you.
⚡💥 Power Bid — starts at about half your max to show intent without revealing your top number.
♥️♠️ All In ♦️♣️ — sets the current bid to your full bid amount right away.
The current bid shown on each lot reflects all confirmed absentee bids and updates automatically as new bids come in.
When the live auction starts, bidding will begin at the current bid. The auctioneer will continue bidding on behalf of absentee bidders up to their max bids.
Because absentee bids can arrive seconds apart, the current bid you see may not always include bids still being processed. Refresh the page for the most up-to-date information.
For our full absentee bid policy, please click here.
Bidding Quick Facts
How bidding works
All items have a minimum bid of $1.00.
When "No Bids" is displayed, it means no absentee bids have been placed on this item yet.
Once bids are placed, the current bid will be displayed instead.
For more information on the bidding process, please click here.
Bid Successfully Submitted!
Your absentee bid for Lot 171 - Antique Trade Card For The Hull Brothers Co., Danbury, Connecticut, With Risqué Bathtub Scene And Tavern Interior, Fold-Out Moving Image Advertising Hot Water, Hot Air, And Steam Heating was successfully submitted—thank you for bidding with us!
The current bid displayed will not update immediately. You will receive a confirmation email shortly.
You may continue to place additional bids.
For our full absentee bid policy, please review the Auction Rules.
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Lot 171 - Antique Trade Card For The Hull Brothers Co., Danbury, Connecticut, With Risqué Bathtub Scene And Tavern Interior, Fold-Out Moving Image Advertising Hot Water, Hot Air, And Steam Heating
Lot 171 - Antique Trade Card For The Hull Brothers Co., Danbury, Connecticut, With Risqué Bathtub Scene And Tavern Interior, Fold-Out Moving Image Advertising Hot Water, Hot Air, And Steam Heating
Antique late-19th-century fold-out Victorian trade card advertising The Hull Brothers Co., sanitary plumbers and heating engineers of Danbury, Connecticut. Features a risqué scene of a woman bathing in a clawfoot tub, with the lower panel sliding to reveal a second illustration of the same woman serving drinks to two delighted gentlemen in a tavern or saloon interior. Advertising text promotes the firm’s hot water, hot air, and steam heating systems, as well as stoves, ranges, and furnaces. Color lithography with charming Victorian details. Wear, creases, staining, and surface soil consistent with age and handling.