Iron Horse Auction Company, Inc. to Conduct Estate Auction of Dr. Pressley R. Rankin, of Ellerbe, NC

ROCKINGHAM, N.C., March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- It was announced today that Iron Horse Auction Company, Inc. of Rockingham, NC has been contracted by the Estate of the Late Dr. P.R. Rankin of Ellerbe, NC to offer his impressive Native American, North Carolina and American Natural History Artifacts and Collections at public auction.  Dr. Rankin was a US Army and US Air Force Veteran, serving during WWII and the Korean Conflict as a flight surgeon. He was a fifty plus year member of the Mt. Gilead Masonic Lodge. He practiced medicine in Ellerbe, where he was loved and respected by all.  He was honored by being selected as a Citizen of the Year by the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce.  Because of his love of trees, he cultivated tree farms on his land in Richmond, Montgomery and Moore Counties.  His dedication to the environment earned him the distinction of being named Tree Farmer of the Year for the State of North Carolina.  His love of the outdoors took him on hunting and fishing trips throughout North America, Central America, South America and Africa.  His love of collecting started at a very early age. During his travels throughout the world, he acquired many special and unique items relating to geography, anthropology and botany. Because he wanted to expand and share his collections, he founded the Rankin Museum of American Heritage in the mid' 80's in the community of Ellerbe, NC. The Rankin Museum of American Heritage is recognized as one of the premier museums of its kind in America. It houses items that are so rare and special that the Smithsonian Museum spent considerable time in Ellerbe conducting studies and research. His collections at the Rankin Museum will insure that future generations will have knowledge of local history and a better understanding of their greater world.

Thomas McInnis, Vice President of Iron Horse Auction Company Inc. says, "It is a great honor and privilege to offer Dr. Rankin's collections to the public.  This is a rare opportunity for other history enthusiasts to add to their collections and continue to preserve our natural and local history. One of the rare items we are offering is an American Indian Bird Stone from Beaufort County, NC."

Fossils, specialty-cut lumber, historical documents and other estate items will be offered in an Online Only Auction March 14th at 8am through March 28th at 6pm.  The artifacts, furniture, artwork and pottery will be offered in a Live Auction on March 26th at 10am with Online Interactive Bidding available.  For a catalog of auction items and more detailed information, please view our website at www.ironhorseauction.com.

Iron Horse Auction Company, Inc. is a second-generation, full-service auction company operating since 1983.  We provide auction services throughout the Southeastern United States.

If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview with Thomas M. McInnis, please call Amanda Young at 800.997.2248 or email Amanda at [email protected].

SOURCE Iron Horse Auction Company, Inc.