As an Auctioneer for the past 16 yrs, I have seen a lot of really great items come over the auction block, and sell way above or below their value. Some times bidders don't know what the item is and therefore misjudges the value. Other times a seller or Auctioneer may state the item incorrectly. This is where knowledge or books come in handy. Sometimes a knowledgable friend comes in handy too. I have a collection of books for just about everything you need, as any collector should.
We have all hear about the picture that sold at an Auction for $5.00 turned out to be a hidden Rembrandt, or the door that was discovered to be the original door from some famous castle. Don't we all hope one day we will be the lucky person to purchase an items and it turns out to be some lost or one of a kind item. Then we can all go home with loads of money in our pockets.
I have had a few of these lucky finds myself, (just not in the loads of money category). I went to this small weekly Auction out in the country of upstate South Carolina. The Auction barn was an old stable barn, with old hard church benches for seats. It was very crowded with farmers and local folks. The sellers were locals, selling items they had picked up at yard sales or cleaned out of barns. As the selling started, an older lady was selling her collection of corn decoration items, everything from plates to bowls, glasses, salt and pepper sets ect. Some of the items were old, she stated she had been collecting them for years. As the help unwrapped the items I noticed some really nice pieces and decided to bid on them, I went to the table to get a better look and the man at the table told me these were not what I thought they were, meaning I thought they were some pieces of McCoy. He said he was very familier with McCoy and there was no McCoy on the table. I continued to watch the bidding, I bid $9.00 and was the high bidder. As I approached the table again the man said it was not what I thought it was and that I had paid to much. I picked out a few items and went back to my seat to carefully wrap my secretly great purchases. I stayed a little longer but nothing I want come out. I paid my bill and started home eager to research my prizes.
My purchases consisted of a Shawnee corn pattern 10 0z handled pitcher, perfect condition, valued at $175.00
An unmarked McCoy corn pattern dish valued at $35.00. I sold these pieces to a dealer for $125.00
I have had other deals: At an estate auction I purchased a head vase for $5.00 valued at $125.00, I still have this one as these are harder to come by in such great condition.
At a yard sale I purchased a WWII trench lighter for $1.00 in working condition. I had no idea what it was, the man holding the yard sale told me what it was and that it belonged to his father.
At a hole in the wall thrift store I purchased a first addition "Gone with the Wind" book for $1.00. An auctioneer friend of mine had sold one at his Auction for $400.00.
And my best purchase was a Hull Vase for $100.00 valued at $1800.00
This is why Auctions are such great fun and you can always find great deals.
If you have had some really great finds at an auction, place a comment and lets us know, I love hearing about those wonderful finds.
What's it worth???
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