I went to an auction Saturday, and at some point an hour or so in, I thought I might just go home. I had been outbid in heartbreaking fashion a couple of times, and all I had to show for my frantic bidding was a cute typewriter - the box says it's not just a toy but a working typewriter, but I haven't given it a go - and I was feeling glum. But I stayed strong. In for a penny, in for a pound, I always say, and surely my luck would turn.
Slowly, it did. I got a shoebox full of Christmas stickers and tags.
I hauled in some Gurleys.
And some boxes of greeting cards. Since this was a family that kept everything, there were quite a few greeting cards. And quite a few of, well, everything. Like every piece of clothing they'd ever owned. Every toy. Every decoration. And before long, I heard my favorite auction phrase:
"Anybody got a buck for this?"
Which means the auctioneer is getting tired, and there is still a lot of stuff to go. This is the best part of an auction. You can feel the shift. The big spenders have left. The pace picks up. And the stuff that was going for $40, $50, $100 a lot earlier in the day starts going for only a few dollars. Sometimes one dollar. It's pretty wonderful when it happens.
Good thing I washed up this quilt as soon as I got home, since it came in handy on a rainy NFL Sunday. (Aren't they cute? My two boys.)
Lots of favor cups and candles and such.
These were buried in a huge mystery box of Christmas decorations.
Along with these. I like the ornaments and the paper mache boots.
The elf that works at shows in Las Vegas during the off-season, not so much, but he'll find a home with someone.
I assumed this was simply a cheap, plastic Christmas decoration made in Hong Kong, but I looked closer. I was drawn by the claim on the tag: "Quality. So real ... it even fools the bees." I cannot help but feel something was lost in translation here.
Fascinated, I read on, and found this. Yes, pieces like this date "back to the stone age." My first antiquity!
Tough as it will be to top this, there is a lot more stuff to show you from the auction. Some of it, I dare to say, is even more impressive than a Stone Age decoration, but I'll let you judge.
HeHe - all set for a Flinstone Christmas!
Posted by: Kathy | October 06, 2013 at 10:44 PM
Wow what a great haul B - worth the wait - so will the Elf show up in this years Awards ceremony? LOL
Posted by: Jewels Welsh | October 07, 2013 at 06:48 AM
It was worth staying for! My auction haul this weekend pales in comparison.
Love the stone age historical reference, made me lol!
Posted by: Kate | October 07, 2013 at 11:22 AM
Wow, that typewriter is so neat!! And, what awesome other goodies your brought home!! Enjoy these treasures!! xo Heather
Posted by: Heather | October 07, 2013 at 11:42 AM
Auctions can be really hard to sit through but I agree with that by the end of the day, things that would go for sometimes 10 times as much go dirt cheap. Case in point...I bought the same vintage pink cake carrier that my BFF bought at a show for $35 for $5! I had to wait 7 hours but it was so worth it. So happy to see all the vintage Christmas. It found the perfect home.
Erica
Posted by: Erica | October 07, 2013 at 12:46 PM
"In for a penny, in for a pound". I bet my husband wishes he had a nickel for every time I say that one! Love all of your winnings, and it's more proof that I need to get myself to an auction one of these days!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | October 07, 2013 at 02:14 PM
I'm in awe at your haul. Love it all!!
Posted by: Musings from Kim K. | October 08, 2013 at 06:55 AM
That's my favorite part of the auction too. That's why I always stay til the very end. This past Saturday I won an entire table of old medicine bottles for a buck. Can't beat that.
Posted by: Melissa's Antiques | October 08, 2013 at 08:26 AM
I see some pixies and deer! What great finds my friend! I'm loving the 'new' doll house and barn, too! Wish I was there to tag along with you! Sweet hugs!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | October 08, 2013 at 08:57 AM
Coming to your blog, is like living out my fantasy. I had rather read your tales of auctions, flea markets, garage sales, estate sales more than...well just about anything! Only thing better would be if I could shadow you!
Posted by: janie | October 10, 2013 at 04:23 PM
I love EVERYTHING you got (except, I'm afraid, the Liberace Elf). What a great auction!
Posted by: Anne | October 10, 2013 at 09:23 PM
Holy Buckets! You really did well towards the end! I absolutely love mystery boxes and these were really worth it. I'm a little surprised that quilt wasn't over your son's head...the Steelers are killing me this year!
Posted by: Shelley Germann | October 13, 2013 at 12:11 AM
ooooooooooo-the quilt!!!
Posted by: jennifer | October 19, 2013 at 11:25 AM