Lot # : 702 - THE WORLDS 100 BEST SHORT STORIES

The bidding for this auction takes place online only. The rugs and other items may be viewed by appointment at our Mechanicsville, Virginia gallery or warehouse. All items are offered and sold through The Rug Life LLC (Hereinafter "TRL") shall be offered and sold on the terms and conditions below. By bidding at the auction, the Purchaser/Bidder or their agent (PB) agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions. 1. All items are sold as-is. All sales are final. No returns. No exceptions. 2. A 30% PBs premium will be added to the hammer price of each lot sold. 3. The photographs are part of the description. PB should examine them carefully before bidding. Unless otherwise expressly stated in writing, any description of a Lot is based solely on visual impressions, and is given solely for identification purposes, and does not create any warranty, expressed or implied, or representation by TRL. 4. All items are sold as-is, where-is, how is, with all faults, known, apparent or otherwise. TRL does our best to describe the items. Our descriptions are in no way to be interpreted as a guarantee of any kind as to authenticity, age, condition, attribution, provenance, authorship, completeness, size and/or materials. The descriptions of item(s) appearing in the auction, and in advertising prior to the auction, are believed to be correct. However, ALL DESCRIPTIONS ARE OPINIONS AND NOT FACTS. PB shall be the sole judge of value, condition, age, genuineness, authenticity, defectiveness, attribution, provenance, authorship, completeness, or any other determinative bidding factor. Neither those descriptions nor any oral statements made by TRL, consignors and/or employees concerning any item shall be construed as a warranty, either expressed or implied. 5. PB acknowledges that all items were available for inspection prior to the auction and, by these terms, TRL strongly encouraged PB to carefully inspect each item in which PB had any interest to determine the item’s nature, quality, condition, authenticity, quantity and size. PBs rely solely on their personal inspection and not on information listed in the auction listing or otherwise provided by TRL and employees. PBs failure to inspect, or otherwise to be fully informed as to the nature, quality, condition, authenticity, quantity and size of any item will not constitute grounds for any claim, adjustment, refund, termination of the contract for sale, or refusal to close the sale, against TRL. 6. PB is responsible for all bids transmitted from PBs computer or from PBs Bidder Account. If a Winning Bid is sent from PBs computer or using PBs Bidder Account, PB will be the financially responsible for payment to TRL, either directly or through TRLs online auction platform. 7. PB may not retract a bid that has been acknowledged by TRL or that has been submitted online. PB acknowledges and agrees that it is acting in reliance on tendered bids in the conduct of the Auction, and that bid retraction is disruptive and interferes with the Auction, and that, as an inducement for TRL to accept PBs Registration, and to grant PB bidding privileges, and for PB to bid at the Auction, PB agrees not to withdraw or to attempt to withdraw any bid tendered by PB. 8. PB assume all risks associated with PBs access to the Auction, including the Online Auction Platform, the premises of TRL, and any other physical location associated with TRL or the Auction. Any person may be denied access to the Auction, the Online Auction Platform, and the premises of TRL or any other physical location associated with TRL or the Auction. TRL reserves the right to post truthful reviews of PB, including blocked Bidders, on social media and elsewhere. 9. Shipping and insurance are the responsibility of the PB. PB’s bids are not contingent upon shipping, including, but not limited to, costs. PB must be aware of the shipping costs before PB places a bid on an item. ALL LOCAL PICKUPS MUST BE SCHEDULED WITH JOHN by calling 908- 875-5603. 10. Shipping is not perfect or near perfect. This why all shippers, including but not limited to UPS, USPS and FEDEX, offer insurance. If PBs are not picking up their items, we recommend that PBs insure PBs items with their respective shipper. If PBs are shipping jewelry or art, we HIGHLY recommend that PBs insure these items. AGAIN, IF PB’S ARE SHIPPING JEWELRY OR ART, WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT PB’S INSURE THESE ITEMS FOR SHIPPING. 11. No statements made at the sale, on the invoice or elsewhere shall be deemed as such a representation or warranty or subject TRL to liability. All weights and measurements are approximate. 12. All prints, lithographs, giclees, serigraphs, photomechanical prints and etchings that are offered in TRLs auctions are all copies of the original works and may be signed by the artist in one of two manners. The first manner is signed. This means that the artists signature has been copied along with the piece. This piece was not individually signed by the artists own hand, but rather the artists signature was added to the print plate or print lay out. The second manner is hand signed by the artist. This means that the artist signed this copy, usually in a limited-edition numbered series, by the artists own hand. In this case, we will usually describe where this signature is located on the piece and the type of instrument used to sign this item. PBs failure to understand this well-known distinction of signature types shall not constitute a reason to cancel a sale after the auction has concluded. 13. All prints, lithographs, giclees, serigraphs, photomechanical prints and etchings that are listed in TRL’s auctions are all copies of the original works. Even if the piece is hand signed by the artist, these pieces are always considered “after” the artist or “attributed” to the artist. TRL also states that the PBs should understand that these pieces are not original works by the artist. PBs shall be the sole judge of authenticity, attribution, provenance, value and authorship. 14. Some of the items in our auctions come with Certificates of Authenticity (hereinafter COA). TRL does not produce these COAs and we state that we acquired all these COAs with the items. TRL does not guarantee the accuracy or veracity of any COA. It is the PB who must authenticate the COA before a bid is placed in the auction. Failure by a PB to authenticate a COA prior to bidding does not constitute a reason to cancel a sale after the auction has concluded. 15. It is the rules of TRLs online auction platform, Invaluable.com, that any absentee bid cannot be cancelled within 2 hours of the start of the auction. Therefore, it is TRL’s responsibility to enforce this same rule. 16. All estimates or appraisals of value, as might be listed at the auction or elsewhere, are statements of opinion as to the range of the price a willing PB might pay for the item at auction, or in the open market. The actual price paid at auction or subsequently, may vary substantially from the estimates. TRL shall not be liable for any such differential. If and to the extent the High Estimates and Low Estimates are used in an auction, they are merely a guide. PBs may not rely on High Estimates or Low Estimates as a prediction of the Hammer Price or the value of any Lot, or for any other purpose. High and Low Estimates are not a guaranty of price or value, and are not an indicator of the possible re-sale value of any Lot. High Estimates and Low Estimates do not include the Buyer’s Premium. 17. All appraisals obtained by TRL are estimates of insurance replacement value only and are a qualified opinion only. The actual price paid at auction or subsequently, may vary substantially from the appraisals. TRL shall not be liable for any such differential. 18. Some lots in the sale may be subject to a reserve. The reserve is a confidential minimum price. 19. All items are sold to the highest PB. The TRL has the right to not accept any bid. Bidding may be reopened at the TRL's discretion. The TRL reserves the right to withdraw any item and to reoffer the item at another time. 20. All items purchased from TRL must be paid in full within 3 days after the auction date. If the invoice is not paid within 3 days after the auction, TRL may, at its own discretion, consider the sale void. 21. All items purchased from TRL must be removed by the PB within 21 days after the auction date. Items left after 21 days will incur a $10/day storage fee per item. After 21 days, TRL may, at its own discretion, consider the sale void. 22. All items not being picked up at our Mechanicsville, Virginia Gallery, can be shipped by companies from our suggested list of shippers. TRL will charge a $20.00 fee to package each item and deliver it to the PBs choice of shipper. PB must contact the shipping company directly after the auction to arrange shipment, and payment for shipping. 23. TRL strives to deliver all rugs in a clean condition to the winning PB. TRL washes many of these rugs at their facility. This is done after the auction, but before pickup. While TRL does a more than adequate job of cleaning these rugs, TRL will not be able to get any rug 100% clean, nor will it be able to fully remove every stain or blemish. TRL predominantly auctions pre- owned rugs, and there is to be an expected amount of wear, abrash and minor staining on these rugs. 24. Some of the rugs that are auctioned by TRL are made with antique vegetable dyes, or dyes that are not colorfast. Therefore, the colors in these rugs will sometimes bleed when they are washed. If PBs are concerned with this, please inform us before we wash PBs rug. TRL will not offer any refund for a rug due to bleeding of dyes that occurred after we washed PBs rug. 25. Shipping, insurance, packaging and handling of purchased lots is at the risk and expense of the PB. TRL shall not, under any circumstances, be liable for the loss, theft or damage to item(s), including, but not limited to selection of shipper, the acts or omissions of any shipper or the acts or omissions occurring in packing for shipment. Failure by the PB to arrange or pay for the shipping shall not constitute a reason for cancelling the sale, or refunding any monies for the any bids that the PB won. 26. Payments accepted; Cash (in house only) - Credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express & Discover) - PayPal, Venmo, Wire Transfer or Cashier’s check. 27. If a winning PB has not paid for their item(s) within three (3) days of the end of an auction, TRL may automatically charge the PBs credit or debit card, that is listed within the online auction platform. By entering the TRL auction, no matter which online auction platform it may be, the PB agrees to having their credit or debit card charged for any items that they won during that auction for items that PB may bid on. 28. Any right of the PB under this agreement or under the law shall not be assignable, and shall be enforceable only by the original PB and not by any subsequent owner or any person who shall subsequently acquire any interest. No PB shall be entitled to any remedy, relief or damages beyond return of the property, rescission of the sale and refund of the purchase price; and without limitation, no PB shall be entitled to damages of any kind. 29. All paid items left over 21 days, either at our offices or at UPS/FEDEX/USPS, will be considered abandoned, and no refunds will be issued by TRL. 30. If a PB fails to pay for a purchased item, or otherwise does not comply with these Terms and Conditions, the PB shall be in default. In addition to all remedies available in law, the PB shall be liable for the entire Purchase price. Additionally, at the option of TRL, TRL may either cancel the sale and retain all payments made by PB as well as retain all item(s) of PB in our possession as security against payment of the sums in default, and/or we may re-offer the item(s) for sale, at auction or privately, without reserve. PB shall be liable to TRL for the additional fees, commissions and costs on both sales (including handling, storage and court costs and attorney's fees) resulting from the cancellation or resale of the item(s) and in the event of resale, and any deficiency which may result. PB will have no right to any profit from such resale. 31. By registering for TRL auction, PB agrees that any telephone number or email provided may be used to contact the PB about future auctions by TRL only. The PB may opt out of any of these notices at any time. 32. Limited Guarantee: TRL makes every effort to accurately describe all items offered in its sales/auctions. The descriptions carry a limited guarantee. It is a guarantee to protect any PB against major discrepancies that would have a major effect upon the value of the item. Under no circumstances do we guarantee against anything less than a major discrepancy that would have less than a major effect upon value. This limited guarantee covers authenticity, major restoration or repair not described or clearly visible, damages not disclosed in description or clearly visible in pictures, counterfeits, reproductions or major fabrications not disclosed in the description or not clearly visible in any pictures posted. Examples of what we do not guarantee against are imperfections, slight damages, abrash (fading in rugs), loose threads, holes less than 1 inch in diameter in rugs, handling marks, natural imperfections, undisclosed blemishes, finish differences, wood-to-metal fit issues, surface cracks or chips in wood, dings and dents, bore condition, and other similar differences that are inherent in the art, rug, book, antiques and collectibles industry. It is the PB's responsibility (present, absentee or online PBs) to determine by inspection, by themselves or by a hired professional, to know the exact condition of each item prior to bidding on the item. Should TRL deny an authenticity issue dispute of the buyer, and the buyer is not satisfied, the buyer may, at his or her own expense, obtain the written opinion of two mutually agreed upon recognized experts in the field of the disputed item. The final decision of those experts will determine any refund consideration. This limited guarantee is only available to the buyer of record. Please also refer to Post Sale Return Policy at end of terms. Except as stated by this limited guarantee above, TRL will not be held responsible for typographical errors. Neither we nor any consignor, make any guarantees, warranties, or representation, expressed, or implied, regarding any auctioned item or the correctness of the online listing or other description of the authenticity of authorship, physical condition, size, quality, rarity, importance, provenance, exhibition, literature or historic relevance of the property or otherwise. It is the PB's responsibility to initiate contact with TRL and make a request for additional information regarding the auctioned items prior to bidding. Submit all questions regarding upcoming auction items at least 48 hours prior to the date of auction. We will make every effort to answer all submitted questions in a timely manner. We will do our best, but cannot promise, that questions submitted within 48 hours of the auction date will be answered prior to the auction. All items will be available for preview approximately one (1) week prior to the auction. 33. Post-Sale Return Policy: TRL makes every effort to ensure the auction item descriptions are accurate and that they fully disclose any exceptions to condition, this includes pictures of the items. Pursuant to the Limited Guarantee listed above, any buyer who has made their payment within the due date of 5 calendar days who wishes to report a problem, must notify TRL within three calendar (3) days of receipt of their purchased item. Buyers who have not made their payment within the due date of 5 days may not return any items under any circumstances. No lots purchased by floor PBs (including those PBs acting as agents for others) may be returned. Please refer to TRL limited guarantee herein. A Return Authorization Number (RA#) must be issued by TRL before a PB ships anything back to our address. Any items arriving without a return authorization will not result in a refund to the PB. The item in question must be shipped at the buyer’s expense, with the RA# on the outside and inside of the package, with full insurance, so it arrives at TRL within one week of the aforementioned authorization. Any returned item must be returned in the exact condition it was in when we sent it out or no refund will be given. 34. Privacy Policy: This privacy notice discloses the privacy practices for The Rug Life LLC (TRL) and www.rug-auction.com. This privacy notice applies solely to information collected by this website or by Invaluable.com on behalf of The Rug Life LLC. This policy will notify any PB of the following: What personally identifiable information is collected from a PB, how it is used and with whom it may be shared, What choices are available to a PB regarding the use of PBs data, The security procedures in place to protect the misuse of PBs information and How PB can correct any inaccuracies in the information. We are the sole owners of the information collected on our website. We only have access to/collect information that PB voluntarily give us via email or another direct contact from that PB. We will not sell or rent this information to anyone. We will use PBrs information to respond to a PB, regarding the reason PBs contacted us or to notify a PB about a future of a TRL auction at Invaluable.com. We will not share PBs information with any third party outside of our organization, other than as necessary, to fulfill a PBs request, e.g. to ship an order. Unless a PB ask us not to, we may contact a PB via email or text message in the future to tell a PB about new auctions, specials, new products or services, or changes to this privacy policy. A PB may opt out of any future contacts from us at any time. A PB can do the following at any time by contacting us via the email address or phone number is given on our website, or by typing STOP at the bottom of any text message or by clicking the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of any mass email. A PB can also contact us to see what data we have about a PB if any, change/correct any data we have about a PB, have us delete any data we have about a PB, Express any concerning a PB, or have about our use of PBr data and Security. We take precautions to protect PBs information. When a PB submit sensitive information via the website or through Invaluable.com, PBs information is protected both online and offline. Wherever we collect sensitive information (such as credit card data), that information is encrypted and transmitted to us in a secure way. While we use encryption to protect sensitive information transmitted online, we also protect PBs information offline. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, billing or customer service) are granted access to personally identifiable information. The computers/servers in which we store personally identifiable information are kept in a secure environment. If PB feel that we are not abiding by this privacy policy, PB should contact us immediately via telephone at 908-875-5603 or via email john@rug-auction.com. 35. Modification: No modification or amendment of these Terms and Conditions shall bind TRL unless contained in a writing signed by TRL, except as may be posted, published or verbally announced at time of sale. 36. TRL has no relationship with any third-parties or subsequent PBs of Lot(s), and no third- party or subsequent PBs may rely on any statements or descriptions made by TRL, nor will TRL have any liability to such persons or entities. PBs agree to indemnify TRL and to hold TRL harmless from and against any and all claims made by third-parties or subsequent PBs of any Lot(s) purchased by PB. 37. No Credit Card Chargebacks: PB agrees that PB will not, under any circumstances, initiate a credit card chargeback with respect to any purchases at the Auction. PB further agree that if, in violation of these Terms and Conditions, a credit card chargeback is initiated, these Terms and Conditions will be conclusive evidence of PB’s agreement not to initiate a credit card chargeback. PB acknowledges and agrees that on the presentation of these Terms and Conditions to the bank, credit card company, or other financial institution that issued the credit card on which charges were made, such bank, credit card company, or other financial institution will reverse or deny any credit card chargeback, and will re-credit all amounts to or for the account of TRL. If, in violation of these PB Terms and Conditions, PB initiate a credit card chargeback, even if successful, PB will remain liable for all purchases made at the Auction, and PB will be responsible for all costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees and collections fees incurred by or on behalf of TRL in challenging the credit card chargeback and in collecting payment. PBs agreement not to initiate a credit card chargeback is a condition to PBs Registration as a PB, and for the privilege of bidding at the Auction, and is being made as an inducement for TRL to accept PB’s Registration and to permit PB to bid at the Auction. TRL is relying on PBs agreement not to initiate a credit card chargeback in accepting PB’s Registration and in permitting PB to bid at the Auction. 38. Successors and Assigns: These Terms and Conditions shall be binding on all the heirs, assigns of the PBs, and inure to the benefit of TRL's successors and assigns. 39. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue: These Terms and Conditions will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, including its statutes of limitations, but without regard to its rules governing conflict of laws. All claims, disputes, and other matters between the parties will be brought in the state or federal courts sitting in and for the Hanover County, Virginia, which courts will have exclusive jurisdiction, and will be the exclusive venue, for any and all such claims, disputes, and other matters. This Jurisdiction will also apply to any slanderous or libelous statement(s) made by either party against the other party. By submitting a PB Registration and placing a bid, PB irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any claim, suit or cause of action relating to these Terms and Conditions, the Auction, or the transactions contemplated hereunder, will be brought in the state or federal courts sitting in and for the Hanover County, Virginia; (ii) consent to the jurisdiction of such courts for any such claim, suit or cause of action; (iii) waive any objection that PB may have to the laying of venue of any such claim, suit or cause of action in such courts; and (iv) waive any objection to the bringing of such claim, suit or cause of action in such courts on the grounds of forum non conveniens. 40. PBs are not entitled to Incidental or Consequential Damages, to the extent that PB smay be entitled to any remedies in connection with the Auction, the sole and exclusive remedy available to PB is a return, from TRL, of (i) the Hammer Price actually paid, and (ii) an amount equal to the Buyer’s Premium. Under no circumstances will TRL be liable for incidental or consequential damages, including, without being limited to lost profits or reduced productivity. PB further acknowledges and agrees that PB is not entitled to specific performance or other equitable relief. 41. PBs agree to accept all notices and service of process relating to dispute resolution or lawsuits filed by TRL at the address provided by PB on any registration forms required to be executed as a condition of bidding in our auction. If PB changes their address, they must notify TRL by certified mail. Once payment has been made, TRL will package and deliver PBs purchased item to one of the following shippers for a flat fee of $20.00. PB must contact the shipping company directly after the auction to arrange shipment, and payment for shipping. We recommend. ALL LOCAL PICKUPS MUST BE SCHEDULED WITH JOHN by calling 908-875-5603. The UPS Store: 10286 Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060-3064 - (804) 755-4877 - store4812@theupsstore.com FEDEX: 8800 Staples Mill Road, Richmond, VA 23228 - (804) 261-2103