It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell or dispose of, or offer for sale, in the State of Mississippi, at public auction, or to cause or permit to be sold, disposed of or offered for sale in the State of Mississippi, at public auction, any gold, silver or plated ware, precious stones, cut glass, china, watches, clocks or jewelry, whether the same be their own property, or whether in so doing they act as an agent or employee of others; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to sales at public auction of stock on hand for more than ninety (90) days preceding the beginning of said sale, if the person, firm or corporation owning the same shall have been, for a period of one (1) year next preceding said sale, continuously in business in the county wherein such sale is held or to be held, as a retail or wholesale merchant of such goods, wares and merchandise as are being sold or offered for sale at said auction; provided, further, that the stock on hand of said merchant or merchants, whose stocks are to be sold at public auction, shall not be increased, or replenished, in anticipation of such sale, nor within ninety (90) days preceding the beginning of said sale, nor pending said sale; and provided, further, that said auction sale shall be held on successive days, Sunday and legal holidays excepted, but shall not continue for more than thirty (30) days, at any one time; and, provided further, that the same person, firm or corporation shall not hold more than one such auction sale within a period of one (1) year.