Oct. 22 Auction from Estate of Hudson Valley Icon Franny Reese to Benefit Scenic Hudson

Items owned by environmental hero will appeal to collectors and those seeking memory of remarkable woman

( WAPPINGERS FALLS/HUDSON VALLEY) - Two New York State governors -- George Pataki and Mario Cuomo -- heralded the accomplishments and stature of environmental powerhouse Franny Reese upon her tragic death at 85 from an auto accident in July 2003.

"A pioneer... New Yorkers are forever indebted to her." -- Gov. George Pataki

"A legacy even the highest level of public official would be proud of." -- Gov. Mario Cuomo

ANTIQUE FURNITURE, SILVER, RUGS, PORCELAIN, MANTEL CLOCKS... TIFFANY, GALLE, WEDGWOOD, MINTON AND EASTLAKE PIECES AMONG MANY STYLES AND MAKERS Property and works of art from Franny Reese's Hudson River estate Obercreek in Dutchess County will be auctioned on Sunday, Oct. 22, beginning at 11 a.m. Preview hours are Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the day of the auction from 9 to 11 a.m. The auction will be held in a heated tent, with food concessions during the Sunday auction hours.

Among the items to be auctioned are: * Furniture including 18th-century Georgian to 19th-century Eastlake items * 18th- and 19th-century silver by American and English makers * 18th- and 19th-century porcelain, including complete dinner services * More than a dozen mantel clocks * Oriental rugs * Victorian clothing

EXPERT UNDERSCORES EXCITEMENT OF AUCTION David Redden, Scenic Hudson board member and noted auctioneer, said, "This sale is a marvelous opportunity to bid on works of art that belonged to one of America's great ladies and come from one of the Hudson Valley's great houses. I look forward to joining collectors from all over the region as we compete for these dear souvenirs of Franny's remarkable life."

Select items also may be viewed at Scenic Hudson's Web site, www.scenichudson.org.

BIDDING, PAYING AND PICKING UP The auction will be conducted by Litchfield County Auctions, Inc., of Litchfield, Conn. Bidding will be on-site, but bidders may leave bids (absentee bids) and return to the auction later to claim their items if their bid is a winner. Items should be picked up during or after the auction, including Monday, Oct. 23. Payment is due at time of pick-up and should be made by cash, credit card or by checks known to either the auction company or Scenic Hudson. Buyers pay a 20-percent premium (above purchase price) to the auction company. Additional questions on bidding, paying or picking up should be directed to Annette Fox, Litchfield County Auctions, 914 923 4220.

REESE A CHAMPION OF PROTECTING THE VALLEY Scenic Hudson's board chair from 1966 to 1984, Frances "Franny Reese" (1917-2003) was a champion of efforts to protect the valley's treasured landscapes. During her tenure, Scenic Hudson was instrumental in halting construction of a massive hydroelectric plant on Storm King Mountain in the Hudson Highlands and preserving views from Olana, the Columbia County home of Hudson River School painter Frederic E. Church.

"No one had more of an impact on the mission of Scenic Hudson than Franny. It's safe to say that without her leadership and drive, we would not be the largest, most powerful and most effective environmental organization focused on the Hudson Valley," said Ned Sullivan, Scenic Hudson's president.

"Purchasing some of this wonderful property would be a great way to honor Franny's contribution to the valley and help us continue preserving the landscape that she fought so hard to save. We are extremely grateful to the Reese family for making the auction possible," added Mr. Sullivan.

Obercreek is located on New Hamburg Rd. (County Route 28) in Wappingers Falls, approximately one-quarter mile west of the intersection with Route 9D.