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PARAMUS — An adorable but terrified long-haired guinea pig retreated to the corner of his cage totally unimpressed that nearly 500 chic residents of Northern Jersey bid against one another to take him home.
The sophisticated New York guinea pig, offered for adoption by radio personality Jean Shepherd, was one of some 150 items up for grabs at the Group 70 Auction Saturday evening at the Bergen Community College.
The first born son of Shepherd's pet guinea pig was marked "priceless" as was the only reproduction of a pen and ink drawing of the Village Voice offices in New York City. The print also by Shepherd was featured on the frontspiece of the Village Voice Reader and in the new book "The Ferrari in the Bedroom."
Guests sipping cocktails and nibbling hors d'oeuvres were allowed about an hour to look over and silently bid on 50 unusual items on display.
Colorful felt covered boxes were provided to hold the secret bids which were later reviewed by auctioneer Edward O'Reilly of the Plaza Art Galleries of New York City who decided the winners.
Cultural Council Aid
The lively fun filled auction supports the activities of the Northern Jersey Cultural Council. The array of merchandise and "happenings" offered at the auction are donated each year and the event is traditionally the biggest fund raiser sponsored by the group which also runs a holiday boutique.
Mrs. Walter Politzer and her husband of Ridgewood offered an Austrian Heurigen Party complete with a cold sunper and wine as their contribution to the auction. The couple stipulated, "All the hosts will need to worry about is the 20 name guest list - the food, wine, serving and cleanup will be taken care of." The suggested price for the "one-up" on Pearl Mesta event was $200.
"Aida” is waiting for you, challenged the Metropolitan Opera Guild Education Department which provided a "priceless” male walk on part in the Met's production of the opera on June 5, 11 or 23. Auctioneer O'Reilly suggested bids be sung out loud and clear.
Concrete Offer
How about a "concrete offer you can't refuse.” Joel Tanis and Sons of Fair Lawn and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brodeur of Park Ridge offered five yards of concrete, wherever you want.it and three cases of decorative lake green bricks.
The Steak Pit in Paramus and radio station WABC joined forces to arrange dinner and dancing at the popular Bergen County restaurant and then a midnight to 2 a.m. visit with all night D.J., Jay Reynolds.
Artist Elwood G. Bengert of Franklin Lakes provided a round marble painting entitled "Seascape with Gulls.” Another area artist, Hy Eisman of Glen Rock offered a real piece of memorabilia — an original "Little Iodine” Sunday comic strip page rendered in color and autographed to the buyer by the famous cartoonist.
Mr. and -Mrs. Anthony Andora of Franklin Lakes teamed up with Manhattan Commodities Corp, of New York City to provide 20 pounds of whole black pepper and a unique imported combination salt and pepper mill in sterling and walnut. Going price was $130.
For the true adventurer there were a few surprise gifts that went up for bid sight unseen. The spirited competition for bargains — ranging in price from $30 for some of the paintings to well over $2,000 for a Volkswagen "bug" — was capped off by a critique and snack of coffee and cake.
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