§ 1-17. Auction sales of jewelry — restrictions.

(a) General prohibition.

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons or corporation to sell, dispose of, or offer for sale, in the City of Baltimore, at public auction, or to cause or permit to be sold, disposed of, or offered for sale, in the City of Baltimore, at public auction, any new articles of gold, silver, plated ware, precious stones, watches, clocks, or jewelry, whether the same shall be their own property or whether they sell the same as agents or employees of others.

(b) When permitted.

Provided, however, that this section shall not apply:

(1) to judicial sale or sales by executors or administrators; nor

(2) to sales by or on behalf of licensed pawnbrokers of unredeemed pledges in manner provided by law; nor

(3) to the sale at public auction of the stock on hand of any person or persons or corporation that shall, for the period of 1 year next preceding such sale have been continuously in business in the City of Baltimore as a retail or wholesale merchant of gold, silver, plated ware, precious stones, watches, clocks, or jewelry, and that shall also have held trader's license for such business during said period; provided, further, that such sale at public auction of the stock on hand of such merchant or merchants shall be held only subject strictly to the conditions in § 1-18 of this subtitle.