Reflections from an Auction Filled Weekend

This weekend was wide open for us--and we quickly filled it with an auction on both Saturday and Sunday.  This is prime time to select good area auctions--and to find two good ones in one weekend can be a challenge most of the year--but not in the beginning of beautiful June weather.

First auction was way west of Chicago off of Highway 34.  A large house built in late 1800s that had always been in the same family. A grocery store magnate built it for his sisters and it has been in the same family all these years.  The auctioneer was one I was not familiar with--but it was a father son duo with a few other relief auctioneers.  A tree shaded yard and 12 flatbed wagons--plus rows and rows of furniture welcomed us--and our good parking place right across from the house.  There were about 150 bidder cards--and many of the other patrons knew one another--including a large handful of dealers.  I am not known in that part if Illinois--and I love floating around and listening to snippets of conversation:

1.  "I don't know what got those five chickens--we do have some fox around here though."
2.   "Call Ron in the city--he'll know what these kind of trunks bring."
3. "Barbara-how high do you want me to go on that box of fabric?"  "Not more than 15 bucks."  (box won for $22.50.)
4. "What time do they start serving lunch?"  "Not till 10am-but you can have a bismark from the BP right now if you want."
5.  "How long till they get to the furniture?  It is going to get way hot and I want to work in the garden some today."
6. "Did you see the wood-work in the house?  And the walk out attic?  I only dream about woodwork and an attic like that."
7.  "Let's rent out our house and buy this one."

Gotta love it.  What a crossroads of humanity.

We were diligent and did not bid on "just stuff" that we might have bid on a few years ago.  Shops, malls and shows are chock full of "just stuff"--and we are looking for the unusual.  Even if we come home with less inventory--I want it to be sellable.

Loot for the day-- several goodies including two fabulous  did I say FABULOUS  painted Scandinavian trunks--one dated 1867 and one dated 1814.  Just love a good country auction.

Next post:  Sunday's loot.

(zucchini blossom photo at top of blog?  In France and Italy you find these treasures in farmer's markets.  They are INCREDIBLE stuffed with all sorts of fillings or even fried up with a dipping sauce.  Can't find them in northern Illinois markets though--)