A lamp in search of an identity (0)
5/17/12 •
I had arrived at the auction house late on purpose. This was the day of one of its Modern Design sales, so I knew I could afford very little on the tables, floors or walls. I always go to browse because this auction house usually has some very arresting pieces for both this sale and [...]
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A pecking chicken paddle toy (0)
5/16/12 •
I was picking over some disparate items in a box at auction when I spotted a round paddle board with wooden chickens on the top. It reminded me of the paddle ball toys I’d played with as a child. You know the one – you hit a red rubber ball against the paddle and try [...]
The end of candy-making at Weber’s (0)
5/15/12 •
I love chocolates, especially turtles with their uber-delicious caramel and pecans all layered together and mixing it up into one sweet taste. So, when I learned that an auction house was selling the remains of a New Jersey candy store that specialized in chocolates and other goodies, I just had to go. It was named Weber’s [...]
Vintage gear for the little ones among us (0)
5/14/12 •
The only thing missing was the baby. Week after week, baby gear kept appearing at auction. First, I saw a heavy wooden cradle with rockers at both ends. Then, I began seeing carriages and strollers, potty chairs and rocking chairs. Everyone seemed to be tossing out these vintage pieces all at the same time – maybe [...]
A bat mounted in a case (0)
5/11/12 •
“Did you see the bat?” my auction buddy Janet asked, walking up to me as I was looking over some items on an auction table. I felt like ducking just in case a bat was flying overhead in this cavernous and dimly lit auction house. We were near a wide open door that offered some natural light, but [...]


I started going to auctions to fuel my love for African American art – but at a bargain. I love the old masters: Lois Mailou Jones, Jacob Lawrence, Hughie Lee-Smith. I wanted to find their works and discover other veteran artists whose works may have been hiding in an attic or basement, and forgotten.

