DANVILLE - Milbra Judd is like a kid at Christmas, proudly sorting through her Bobby Short treasures and discussing the merits of each.

When a package of the late singer's possessions arrived at her home on a recent Saturday, she was so excited she had the boxes opened before 8 a.m.

"I just had so much fun doing this," she said, looking at the 80-plus items arranged on a table.

Now, Judd wants to share her excitement with the rest of Danville.

She will put the items up for sale on April 7 at Judd's Auction Gallery, owned by her daughter, Marilee Judd.

Milbra Judd had won the items while bidding by telephone during a Christie's auction in New York on Feb. 16. She won a set of three African-American painted figures; a framed embroidery showing an African-American family at a dinner table and six smaller framed works; and a 30-piece group of African-American ephemera, including sheet music, postcards, photos, books and rare advertisements.

She decided to sell the items, not for the money, but "so people in Danville can have something to remember him by - even if they (buy) a little birthday card." She kept a series of photos in an art deco frame for herself.

Short died in March 2005 at age 80, having reached international fame for his smooth singing style and piano playing.

"It's fabulous," Floyd Schramm of Oakwood said, looking over the display. "She's very fortunate to get it. There'll be a lot of interest in that, for sure."

Schramm, owner of Spring House Antiques, has been selling and buying antiques for years at shows across the country. He said he probably will attend the Short auction.

Jack Van Camp of Danville also expressed interest in the various cards, books, photos and advertising items, joking, "I especially like the Josephine Baker." He was referring to an old magazine featuring the singer - who's topless - on the cover.

Van Camp, who collects many things, said he's interested in the black memorabilia, but added, "I suspect it will be out of my price range."

He said he's a fan of Short's, mostly because the singer is a Danville native.

Judd has preserved the items by putting them in acid-free coverings and has searched the Internet for information about the people in the photos. For example, there are several photos of Alberta Hunter, a black singer and dancer, and Judd has printed out a biography.

She has put some of the photos in new frames because the original ones were in very poor condition.

One of her favorites is a program from the Cotton Club featuring Ethel Waters and Duke Ellington; it's probably from the early 1930s. A Topsy book from the 1800s and a Black Sambo book in Spanish are two unique items.

There are four reference books about black memorabilia and art that Short used to research his huge collection.

She also has a letter sent to Short and his response, as well as other correspondence addressed to him. "There's all kinds of stuff with his name on it," she said.

Some of the items have a Christie's sticker on the bottom. All of the goods from the Christie's auction will have letters of authenticity.

A couple of Danville residents brought in Short-related items to be sold, such as an autographed record album.

Will there be a big crowd for the auction?

"I have no clue," Judd said. "I hope a lot of people will come.

"It's something they'll not get to do again."

COMING UP

An auction of items owned by the late Bobby Short will be held April 7 at Judd's Auction Gallery, 810-812 N. Vermilion St. The items will be on view that day. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the auction will start at 6 p.m., probably lasting about an hour and a half. Wine, cheese and crackers will be served.