Sometimes when I’m at an auction, I’m struck by the sheer volume of a particular item. Usually it’s someone’s collection, those precious manys of something they’ve bought over the years and couldn’t stop. Every now…
Category: Home
An old-fashioned bug sprayer
Posted in Greeting cards, and Home
Every now and then, I come across an item among an array of stuff in a box lot that surprises me. What a surprise I got recently when I pulled an old bug sprayer out…
The two chairs seemed to shimmer under the lights in the auction house. They were silver with rivets along each side and thin curved legs. They were metal, industrial steel, according to the auction house bid…
The shark seemed to be taunting us auction-goers for weeks. I first saw it on a very high shelf at one of my favorite auction houses. The thing was a monstrosity. I tried my best to figure…
C. Jere’s giant can opener & whisk
Posted in Home
You couldn’t miss the huge chrome can opener on a high shelf at the auction house. Or even the bigger wire whisk attached to the wall next to it. Were they art? Or kitchen utensils gone…
Every now and then, I’m struck by some very disparate items on the auction tables and on the floor. At one of my favorite auction houses recently, four things stopped me: Two settees with side…
One thing I’ve learned at auction is that there’s a buyer for everything. Something I wouldn’t purchase in a million years could be snapped up by someone who’s been looking for that same piece since…
Phila. condo with an upscale address
Posted in Home
When the notice of the upcoming real estate sales came in the mail, I looked for houses that were selling contents. Seeing none, I tossed the notice on my desk and ignored it. It had…
The unending row of tables of items on the auction house’s website told the story. Someone had overdone it in their purchase of Asian-themed items. From what I saw, I knew that this auction would last…
Whimsical teapots of Paul Cardew & others
Posted in Art, collectibles, Home, and Kitchen
Every now and then when I’m at an auction, some items on a table seem to just will me to stop. Maybe it’s a shape. Or a color. Or an unusual collection of “something.” Recently,…