Live Auction!

Have you ever been to a live Auction?  You'd think that with all the PBS Antiques Roadshows Michael and I have watched in the last 14 yrs or so that we have been to many auctions, but that isn't the case.  While we were in Sabetha, Kansas (for the annual Wenger reunion) we found out about a live auction that was taking place through Hartter Auction at the old Armory on Main Street in Sabetha.  We decided to go and check it out!

I was so excited I couldn't stand it!  Before walking in, you have to register/sign up for a number if you want to bid on anything.  Michael and I both signed up for a different number so we could both bid on different items.  We walked around before the auction started to see what treasures we would be interested to bid on.  Wow, there was so much to look at!  Old tools, old barber shop items, old coins, furniture, jewelry, household items, comic books and more!

The first box I put my bid in for was a box of misc. stainless steel looking items.  I mostly wanted the one vase in it - but I already knew I would not go very high in my bid.  I ended up getting the whole box for $1.  There were some real treasures in there including a whole tea service set, a beer stein from Germany and a silver plated bowl from Oneida!

Michael and I were able to talk with other bidders when we weren't focused on making bids.  We made friends with Kevin and Sharon from Missouri ~ who are dealers and have been doing this sort of thing for over 20yrs!  They had some good advice for us and great stories as we continued on in our auction experience.  They do have an e-bay site ~ so make sure to go check it out!  They are great folks and have great seller reviews on e-bay!

One of the items I really really wanted is an old print stamp set.  As you might know from reading my craft blog post, I am into stamping, scrapbooking, cards and crafts.  When I saw this set and found that all alphas and numbers were accounted for, I couldn't keep my eyes off them!  I was prepared to bid up to $40 if I had too!  I ended up getting them for $15 and it also included a couple of lithographic tins too!

I did also bid on a couple of boxes of costume jewelry ~ and when I got back to the house, while I was showing off my treasures, some of Michael's cousins were interested in some of it and ended up buying some pieces!  So, basically, I made all the bidding money back for the jewelry items.  (I can see now why dealers are in this whole auction / reselling business!  It did make me think about maybe learning more about doing it myself!)

I will say that I really enjoyed going to my first auction and totally plan on attending more in the future!  I have attached a link for any of you thinking about going to an auction in the future!   Here it is:  Good Advice before going to an Auction.

Happy treasure hunting!

~Joyce

Our new friends Sharon & Kevin