The 3-minute interview: Roger Lowe
By: Ben Giles
Examiner Staff Writer
November 18, 2009
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| Roger Lowe is senior vice president of communications for the Red Cross. (Courtesy photo) |
The American Red Cross is putting some of its history up for sale. Recently, the humanitarian agency began online auctions selling a warehouse of treasures in an effort to raise funds; items include posters, World War II nurses outfits and the "Rose Percy" Doll, completed with Tiffany jewelry accessories. Lowe, of the Red Cross, discussed why the organization was selling these items now.
What kind of artifacts are being sold?
The Red Cross is selling a number of artifacts that are not essential to the Red Cross history, but are linked to it. It's a way to allow people to support the Red Cross and buy a piece of our history, and support our humanitarian mission. It's almost as though we're looking at all the things we've accumulated over the years and going, "Do we really need these things?"
What collections is the Red Cross holding on to?
We're keeping all of the good stuff. The best of the best of the Red Cross collection we'll retain and keep displayed by the Red Cross. We honor donor intent, and so all of the best and most historically significant art and objects in the Red Cross collection will remain with the Red Cross.
When are the auctions?
There are actually two online auctions. Rasmus Auctioneers is selling some of the smaller items, and Heritage Auction Galleries is handling some of the larger objects. The smaller one actually concluded late last week; the larger one is starting [this week], and there will be several batches over the next few weeks.
Why sell now?
Some of these materials we've had for years and decades, and we've been storing them in a warehouse that we're closing. We're doing this in part to reduce cost at a time when we, like many other organizations, deal with some financial challenges. We hope to raise up to $200,000 with these auctions and will save $3 million by closing the warehouse.
- Ben Giles
