Sold... for five dollars

And now for something completely different... we went to an auction on Sunday and what fun it was. We have been to these auctions before but this one was different. We went on purpose. Not for the purpose of buying something in particular but for the purpose of a family outing. I know, we are kind of weird that way.

 

 (she wore these old glasses of mine, with the lenses removed, all day)

We walked through the tables and tables of items and Paul had us write down which items we were interested in and how much we were willing to pay for them. He registered as a bidder, saved some chairs and away we went.

 

 

Athena spied an Indian Head dress right away. She wanted to bid on that. I found a lovely rocking chair for our new front deck with ample space in case my width broadens in my old age. I found some Medalta bowls but I knew from past experience that they go for much more money that I was willing to pay. I thought I wouldn't mind having a bean pot either. There was a huge hutch that I loved but I already have what I need, and it is so lovely.

(my chair)

 

As soon as the auctioneer began he told us that ALL of this stuff came from one person. I couldn't beleive it. I told Paul that is what would happen to him if I weren't here to control his collections. The whole atmosphere of the place was kind of neat. Mostly the people there were antique dealers. The couple behind me was from Edmonton and we soon found out people were there from all over the place. There was a man who looked like he hadn't bathed in weeks bidding on expensive stuff. I HAD to take his picture so you could see what I mean.

The auctioneers' calling is something to hear. If you haven't heard someone call an auction you would be so surprised how fast they speak. Two men tag teamed it. One man had the habit of saying "What? You don't like it anymore?" and the other said "Ooohhh, looky here folks". The rest of the staff moved items to the front, held things up and controlled the bidding by yelling out "Yup!, Yeah! of Yes!" The auctioneers were good at reading people too. When Paul was bidding on my rocking chair the bid was at $150 and I told him that was high enough. He bid again unti $165 and then I shook my head to him and the auctioneer shouted "She told him to stop and he is listening." Another time the bid was between Paul and someone else and the auctioneer told Paul that I said to bid higher. I don't think I did but anyway...

 

 

Then, to my amazement, Paul starte bidding on two boxes of "hippie beads". Two giant boxes of wood beads. He won them for $15. When I asked him what the heck? He said, "They are biodegradable. Athena can use them for her slingshot on the farm." Of course! Good eye. We just bought her a pack of 75 from Peavy Mart for $3 so this was a great deal.

Lunch was horrible as food at these kind of things tend to be. Hotdogs, beef on a bun, pulled pork and chili. I had a hotdog but not before inquiring as to the brand. Costco all beef.
Athena had a bowl of the most bland chicken noodle soup that ever was made. Paul said it tasted like Hutterite soup. After sitting there with us for 4 hours and being just as good as could be, the head dress came up. Dad gave her the number and as soon as they announced it she stood on her chair and yelled out "Five dollars". Then someone bid against her (how dare they!) for $10 and the guy on the floor who "had the money" came right over to her and said "Fifteen?" and she said "YES!". That is when I not so subtly pulled her back down to sitting. Chuckles from the crowd followed. She won and the man came over and shook her hand to congratulate her. Fun stuff. Paul said she was so good sitting there that he would have let her bid until she won no matter what the cost. And, she actually got two of them plus a 1950's electric morse code toy which could be neat.

 

(a box of old comics from the 50s were thrown in, which Athena loved)

 

 

Athena and I left after that and Paul stayed on until 5, and they were not finished by then. You can imagine how much stuff there was to auction off. Paul came home with some more things he had won. Our total was $157 and we got some good stuff, and some not so good stuff sold as a lot. But oh, how fun it was. I just love the auction. Way better than going to a movie. Try it once, just for fun and you'll see what I mean.
 

(Paul came home with no less than 3 bean pots and these bread bowls.

He also got a toy holster with a Ponyboy colt revolver cap gun.

I have a thing for bowls so I appreciated that a lot.

PS Anyone in need of a bean pot?)