JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Auctioneer Kimball M. Sterling, widely known for selling rare walking canes and outsider art, will open his rug sale to Internet bidders for the first time on March 21. The sale will consist of more than 75 estate carpets that he has held back and purchased from estates and private collections for the past few years.

“I have the sale about once a year for the local folks but I decided to put it on the Internet for the first time,” said Sterling.

Live Auctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.

“There are a lot of good carpets to use in a home and there are a few antique carpets that will be of interest to collectors,” said Sterling.

Estimates range from $500 to $15,000 for a 130-year-old rare Persian Feraghan that measures about 4 feet by 6 feet.

About half of the carpets are room size, and many will be in the 20- to 40-year-old range, he said. There will also be 14 to 18 newer carpets in the sale. All have been cleaned and ready for the home.

Previews will be conducted daily at Sterling’s gallery at 125 W. Market St. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern starting the week before the auction, and the day of the sale beginning at 11 a.m. The auction will begin at 1 p.m. Eastern.

For details call 423-928-1471.

View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet during the sale at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

Click here to view Kimball M. Sterling Inc.'s complete catalog.