Teresa's Auction Generates Global Buzz

Post from the WSJ.

By Dawn Wotapka

Photo: A.J. Willner Auctions

We recently wrote about the upcoming auction involving “Real Housewives of New Jersey” personalities Teresa and Joe Giudice: The contents of their lavish 10,000-square-foot New Jersey mansion are scheduled for auction on Aug. 22.

It was originally a local affair. Auction house A.J. Willner says it received so many inquiries from around the world, it decided to add an online component.

Potential bidders can register at Proxibid, a website that does as many as 800 auctions a month and reports bidders from 175 countries. (Zimbabwe hasn’t been active lately.) Items involving celebrities - or, in this case, reality-TV personalities - can command a premium, says Bruce Hoberman, Proxibid’s president. A $750 silk Mets jacket once owned by convicted Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff commanded $14,500 in November.

Photo: A.J. Willner Auctions

The suit of armor is expected to be one of the more popular items.In this case, it is unclear exactly what will be up for grabs. The Giudices, who filed for bankruptcy protection, formally objected to the auction, says Mike Sklar, a partner with A.J. Willner. A hearing is planned Aug. 16. The couple-who could not be reached because their phone is disconnected–says some of the items scheduled for auction were purchased after the bankruptcy petition, while others belong to relatives, Mr. Sklar says. Such objections are typical, he adds.

If a judge allows the auction to proceed, Mr. Sklar says he’ll rush to inventory the Towaco, N.J., mansion and what’s left of its fancy contents. Items possibly up for grabs include a grand piano–expected to be popular –a suit of armor, snow plow and foosball table.

Mr. Sklar says he hadn’t seen the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” show until recently. “I have no idea who these people are but obviously other people do,” he says. “I’m not really a reality TV person. It’s not my cup of tea.