dumb-bidding

from Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
DUMB-BIDDING, contracts. In sales at auction, when the amount which the 
owner of the thing sold is willing to take for the article, is written, and 
placed by the owner under a candlestick, or other thing, and it is agreed 
that no bidding shall avail unless equal to that; this is called dumbidding. 
Babingt. on Auct. 44. 
    

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