business.

Ms. Robin Sheppard, with auctioneering experience, a furniture studies course from Sotheby's and real estate background as well, and Mr. Stephen Lusher, antique dealer, have combined their skills into Circa Auctions.

The increase in exempt companies, and ultimately employees, has resulted in a growth in potential buyers, said Mr. Lusher. And the end of the recession has resulted in an upswing in the market as well, he added.

With 250 lots up for bid, there first auction is slated Saturday, October 22 at "Bowmore'', 38 Pitts Bay Road at 10 a.m. The premier item up for bid is an 18th century Bermuda cedar gate leg table. There are several other Bermuda cedar items as well as Oriental items, silver -- English and American, and porcelain for auction, said Mr. Lusher, an antique dealer for 11 years.

The merchandise can be previewed Thursday and Friday prior to the Saturday sale.

How much the items will garner is unknown. "They will sell at market value on that day,'' said Ms. Sheppard. Some of the items have a reserve, or minimum bid, she added. The commission for Circa Auctions will be 20 percent of sales.

Circa Auctions will primarily deal in antiques but not exclusively. They hope to run an auction of local art with proceeds earmarked for a local charity.

They propose faster, more efficient auctions and plan to have bidders use numbered cards and complete the 250 lots in about five hours. Sotheby's can complete one or two lots per minute, noted Ms Sheppard. They also plan to include detailed descriptions in an auction catalogue. As well as auctions, they also offer estate sales and appraisals.

AUCTION ON -- Ms Robin Sheppard and Mr. Stephen Lusher, co-partners in Circa Auctions, plan to offer clients antique and contemporary furniture as well as collectibles through the new business. Their first auction is slated October 22, at "Bowmore'' on Pitts Bay Road.