continued from page 5 - Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association

Transcription

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Celebrating Our 59th Year
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Spring 2007
Official Publication of the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association
IN THIS ISSUE...
Feature Articles
Brittingham Leads PAA – FC
Furniture Questions – FC
PAA News
President’s Message – 7
2007 Executive Officers – 8
Directors, Committees – 8,9
Members and Benefits – 10,11
Champion Showcase – 11
NW Achieves 30th Event – 16
2007 PAA
Conference
Auctioneer of the Year – 19
Hall of Fame Inductee – 19
Auctioneer Champion – 20
Rookie Champion – 20
Ad Contest Winners – 22
Sponsors Listed – 23
Fun Auction Recap – 24
Conference Speakers – 24
Legislative/PAC
Reports
CA Update – 32
Happy Spring!
iti
s
o u g es an pecia
l
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ear
!
Brittingham First Female to Lead
550-Member Auctioneer Association
The Pennsylvania Auctioneers
Association named Sandra R.
Brittingham, CAI, GPPA, as the
first female president in its nearly 60year history in January.
“My own sense is that it’s a new
template for leadership, and that
probably is not unrelated to gender,
but it ought not get eclipsed by it,”
said Brent Souder, CAI, GPPA,
2006 PAA President, of the new presiding officer
installed at the PAA Annual Meeting in January.
Sandy’s year of leadership will highlight the
60th anniversary of the annual PAA conference;
focus on consummating and promoting an
effective, attractive and innovative website; and
cultivating additional member
benefits.
“She combines outstanding
leadership with an uncanny ability
to administer both well and with a
heart,” said Jay Ziegler, CAI,
AARE, former PAA President and
current member of the NAA Board
of Directors.
THE
BUSINESS IS IN HER BLOOD
Sandy started working in the auction business
as a “runner” of the clerk sheets when she was
about 10 years old in the family auction business.
– continued, page 5
Some Furniture Questions Answered
by Peter Swift Seibert, President, Heritage Center Museum, Lancaster
All too often, the subject of writing or asking
about antique furniture raises more questions
than time or space will allow. Following my
recent lecture at the PAA conference seminar
on Pennsylvania German arts in January, there
were many questions from attendees that
deserved more time than we had in the schedule.
To that end, I thought a little more detailed
follow-up would be useful:
HOW DO YOU TELL A NEW ENGLAND
CHEST FROM A PENNSYLVANIA
EXAMPLE?
Several years ago I lectured at the Henry
Francis DuPont Winterthur Museum on the
subject of Pennsylvania furniture. The speaker
whom I followed was an expert on New
England furniture, and both of us got to
chatting afterwards about our respective topics.
Interestingly, the comment that we both shared
is that neither of us could understand the
painted furniture being covered by the other
person. To me, New England furniture seems
almost painfully restrained in its appearance and
decoration. Her dislike of Pennsylvania furniture
was that it had a business that bordered upon
what she saw the worst in later Victorian design.
Thus we both agreed that studying New
England and Pennsylvania furniture is like
comparing oranges and tomatoes. Yes, they are
both fruits—but beyond that there are next to
no other similarities.
New England painted furniture can be
distinguished from Pennsylvania in both the
actual construction of the object and its
decoration. The English construction techniques
found in New England are hallmarked by
thinner wood, small but fine dovetails and an
overall feeling in design that closely parallels
hardwood furniture. Pennsylvania furniture will
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...
Auction Industry News
Tortoiseshell – 25
Antique Ivory – 27
National Auctioneer Day – 28
Using a Black Light – 29
Cleaning Cast Iron – 30
Giclee Printing – 31
Official Publication of the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association
Sandra R. Brittingham, CAI, GPPA
President
P.O. Box 299
Elysburg, PA 17824
800.577.6801
570-672-9618 fax
email: [email protected]
www
.paauctioneers.org
www.paauctioneers.org
Robert A. Ensminger
Treasurer
Jeanie M. Crowl
Administrator, Editor
PENNSYLVANIA AUCTIONEERS ASSOCIATION
MAGAZINE ADVERTISING RATES/CONTRACT – 2007
NAA Auction Action Event – 32
President Sheridan’s Message – 33
Business Operations – 34
Technology News – 36
Our Advertisers
Alderfer Auction Co. – 36
All Points Sound Co. – 30
Antique Week – 14
Antiques & Auction News – 13
Business Name
Contact Person
Address
Auction Flex – 22
City
State
Auction Zip.com –31
Telephone
Fax
Zip
Castle Antiques – 33
CUS Business Systems – 15
Farm & Dairy – 26
J. Gemberling Labels – 25
Email
Mechanical Requirements: Printed Offset. 133-150 Line Screen. Trim Size 8-1/2” x 11”.
Ad design is available and will be billed separately.
Ad prices are per issue.
Hunyady Auction Co. – 16
Susan Ivankovich –20
Issue
Camera-Ready Art Due
Lancaster Farming – 18
Fall 2007
August 1
LiveAuctioneers – 4
Winter 2007
November 1
Mendenhall School – 11
E. R. Munro & Co. – 3
Issue Date(s) check all that apply
Fall Winter
Ad Price $_______ x ____ (# of issues) = $ _________
NEXT DEADLINE:
AUGUST 1, 2007
The Keystone Auctioneer is published for members of the
Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association, the association of
professional auctioneers in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. Members concerned with the development,
promotion and advancement of the auction profession can
publicize news events, unique auctions, or editorials by
providing details of the information to be published. We
reserve the right to edit materials submitted to meet space
requirements. The PAA disclaims any responsibility for
statements made or opinions expressed in articles appearing
herein unless otherwise stated. Products or services advertised
in The Keystone Auctioneer are not directly or tacitly endorsed
by the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association. The statements
and materials represented in the advertising are the
responsibility of the advertiser. Information printed in The
Keystone Auctioneer comes from press releases, internet
searches, and member input.
2 - Spring 2007 • www.paauctioneers.org
Total Enclosed $ _________
Checks & Money Orders: Payable to PAA
Bill me after each issue _______
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To Purchase Advertising
Please complete and return this form with check to the address above
or fax form (credit card orders only, please).
2007 ADVERTISING RATES/CONTRACT
NAA News
1-800-577-6801 • The Keystone Auctioneer - 3
FEATURE
Brittingham First Female to Lead Auctioneer Association continued from page 1
She was promoted to the clerk and
cashiering side of the business when she
was a little older. There were no women
auctioneers in her area when she was
growing up, so there were no women role
models. Never did she think that
auctioneering would be her profession. After
graduating from Uniontown High School,
she attended West Virginia University and
obtained a degree in Business
Administration. She worked for a short time
for the AC Neilson Company and quickly
realized that she preferred a smaller
business atmosphere.
In 1979 she began working with her
family again in the Rittenhouse Auction
Company. She obtained her real estate sales
license and took classes for the broker’s
license. In 1981 she attended a National
Auctioneers Association convention and met
a few women auctioneers.
“I never thought that women would be
accepted in this business, but after talking
to other women auctioneers, I felt
compelled to go to auction school,” Sandy
recalls. She attended the Missouri Auction
School shortly after that and became an
apprentice and then a licensed PA
auctioneer. She has the best teacher – her
father, Wylie Rittenhouse. She became a
member of the SW Chapter and
Pennsylvania and National Auctioneers
Associations. Here is where she has met
and learned from many professional
auctioneers and has had much support.
She conducts numerous types of auctions
in the southwest PA area including estates,
business liquidations, personal property,
real estate, and charity functions.
In addition to her busy auction activities,
Sandy is married to Mike Brittingham, an
electrician, and together they have three
daughters, Jayme, Joanie and Katy.
Sandy looks forward to being in a
leadership position of our state association
and welcomes input from the membership.
She wants the association to move forward
as it has since she has become a member.
Some Furniture Questions Answered continued from page 1
usually be of thicker wood (pine or poplar)
with large dovetails that are often wedged
in the center and an overall feeling that is
very distinctive from hardwood pieces.
While there are both hardwood and
painted clock cases and high chests in
abundance in New England, we see
relatively few (compared to the total
survival of either type) in Pennsylvania.
Conversely, the surviving number of
hardwood blanket chests is much smaller
in Pennsylvania than the painted softwood
examples.
New England and Pennsylvania have
very different histories, and their furniture
manifests two separate construction
traditions: English and pattern book
inspired work in New England and
Germanic and traditional inspired work
in Pennsylvania.
SO THEN HOW DO YOU TELL A
PIECE OF SOUTHERN FURNITURE
FROM ONE MADE IN
PENNSYLVANIA?
That is a tougher question since many
of the German cabinetmakers who set-up
shop west of Philadelphia in the 1770’s
began to migrate down the Great Valley
into western Virginia and the Carolinas in
the 1790’s. Conversely, there was a late
wave of German immigration from the
Continent into Pennsylvania through the
Port of Baltimore and up through western
Maryland into the Cumberland Valley
during this same period. Thus, there was
a true mixing of styles and forms
throughout the region . There are a few
general clues to look for in determining
southern furniture origins. Generally
speaking, southern forms are often copied
closely from Pennsylvania examples but
with about a ten- or twenty-year time lag.
For example, Wythe County, Virginia
paint-decorated chests clearly are
influenced by the work of the SelzerRanck school of cabinetry/decoration
from Jonestown (then Dauphin and now
Lebanon County) but about a decade later
than their inspiration.
Southern furniture also generally uses
more pine than poplar in construction, but
this is not an absolute. However, if there
is pine used then it is often much thicker
than that found on Pennsylvania chests.
Finally, and again this is a general rule,
southern furniture of a Pennsylvania
German tradition will often either not have
a name on the front of the piece (as in the
case of a blanket chest) or it will be a name
that has been anglicized. We see the parallel
Be sure to visit the
PAA website
in the fraktur tradition for much of
southern fraktur appears in English rather
than German.
I RECALL YOUR
MENTIONING THAT
MANY MINIATURES WERE NOT
SALESMEN’S SAMPLES BUT RATHER
TRUE MINIATURES.
IS
THAT TRUE?
The subject of miniature furniture and
its uses is one that has not been well studied.
Much of the early research on this subject
was done in the 1920’s and 1930’s when
scholars remembered seeing traveling
salesmen bringing miniatures or samples
around in the late 1800’s in order to solicit
business. This memory got married with
the assumption that our ancestors would
never have frivolously spent money on a
miniature “chust for show.”
Research over the last twenty years now
shows that, in fact, many of the
documented miniatures that have survived
from the pre-1850 period were made as
specific commissions for affluent family
members. It should be noted that the idea
of having a traveling salesman to bring
furniture around really was not true in the
early period of our nation’s history. A good
cabinetmaker would have set up business
in a town and then would have waited for
customers to appear . Work was usually
commissioned from him by male clients
(women will not begin to select furniture,
– continued, next page
FEATURE
Some Furniture Questions Answered continued from page 5
curtains and other domestic appointments
until the later 19th century) who would place
an order and then arrange to have it
delivered when completed. Cabinetmakers
were among the “top of the food chain” in
terms of both the hierarchy of
woodworkers and overall numbers of
artisans with the result being that they were
often well-established in towns and did not
need to retain salesmen to go door-to-door.
By the Victorian period, with the advent
of sales catalogs, traveling salesmen did
have miniatures made to aid in selling their
wares. However, even at that point, there
is pretty strong evidence that most
furniture miniatures were made as novelty
items for children rather than as advertising
pieces.
WHAT
ABOUT WOOD ANALYSIS AND
PAINT STUDIES?
The subject of wood analysis is a tricky
matter since a scientific study of a piece
of furniture based just upon a fragment
of wood is only one tool in analyzing the
story of a piece. Assuming that the
fragment is original to the chest, we also
have to take into account several issues.
First is whether the cabinetmaker who
constructed the piece used local or
imported wood (while this is not so true
on this side of the pond, there is ample
evidence to show that board lumber from
America was being shipped to London
cabinetmakers in the 18th century). Second
is whether the wood was new or re-used
from another project. We often see surplus
wood being recycled for the insides of
desks and chests with the result being that
your sample may not be from the same
stock as the remainder of the object.
Remember, too, that carbon or other
dating techniques have such a margin of
error that they cannot be used to date
pieces from the last five hundred years
forward. Finally, in terms of analyzing the
origins of piece, scientists have found it
increasingly difficult to determine the
differences (especially among conifers)
between America and European species
of trees. In saying all of that, use wood
analysis as a partial tool in understanding
the origins of a given piece, but don’t let
it be your only resource.
SO IS THERE MORE TO LEARN
ABOUT PENNSYLVANIA FURNITURE?
Good golly, Miss Molly…there is tons
more that we need to know about
Pennsylvania furniture! We know very little
about the shop practices of traditional
German woodworking shops. How many
items were made in a given week/month/
year? Did some shops decorate their own
chests while others jobbed out the work?
Who carved most of the inlaid
Pennsylvania furniture? Why did some
designs remain popular for generations
and others disappear very quickly? These
questions and many more still need to be
answered about the subject of Pennsylvania
German furniture.
WHAT
ABOUT THE INFLUENCES OF
OTHER GROUPS UPON THE
PENNSYLVANIA GERMANS?
That question is equally difficult to
answer, as for every hard and fast rule
there are probably an equal number of
exceptions. There is certainly some
evidence of cross- pollination of
construction techniques between the
German and English cabinetmakers
working in Pennsylvania. In particular
during the early period (and continuing
later in more rural areas), communities
could not support a multiplicity of trades
(or even individuals working within one
trade) to the extent that Germans and
Anglos often patronized a finite number
of artisans.
However, in saying that, we do not
know about those Germans or Anglos (like
today’s folks who buy a BMW or Saab)
chose to leave the area completely for their
furnishings. However, among locals
buying from locals, there does seem to be
some close relationships that developed
between the two groups. In at least one
documented early 19th century Scots-Irish
shop, that of the Hawthorne family
business of Marietta (Lancaster County),
there are surviving examples of blanket
chest that were produced for sale to the
local Mennonite population. Those chests
differ only in the orientation of the dovetails
from the front to the sides of their cases.
SO
WHAT CAN
MORE?
I
READ TO LEARN
I always recommend a few key books.
To learn about analyzing furniture, I
recommend reading John Kirk’s Early
American Furniture (New York: A.A.
Knopf, 1970). This is a critical work in
teaching you the differences between city
and country, high and low style. It stands
the test of time even after three decades.
Monroe Fabian’s The PennsylvaniaGerman Decorated Chest (Atglen; Schiffer
Publishing reprint in 2004 of the 1978
original edition) is the only book on the
subject. While weak on text, the
photographs in the book more than make
up for the deficiencies of attribution.
Finally, Benno Foreman’s essay German
Influences in Pennsylvania Furniture,
printed in Scott Swank’s Arts of the
Pennsylvania Germans (Delaware: Henry
Francis DuPont Winterthur Museum,
1983), is a strong contribution to the
subject of construction and the differences
among different types of Pennsylvania
German furniture.
Ongoing PAA Member Benefit
To encourage PAA members to read and use the PAA news magazine, we have
been offering FREE classified ads!
That’s right … any member can submit a business-card-size ad for publication
in one (1) issue annually of The Keystone Auctioneer at absolutely no cost.
Send, fax or email the information to be printed to the PAA office. The deadline
for the next issue of 2007 is August 1.
PAA IN THE NEWS
PAA Executive Officers 2007
Sandy Brittingham, President
Greetings to all of my fellow PA auctioneers
and friends:
The first board meeting of the PAA was
held in March, and the board of directors
conducted a lengthy meeting and worked
persistently to cover the current business of
the PAA. I hope that everyone is lining up
many auctions for the Spring season.
Dan Trace and the board formulated much of the conference
agenda for 2008. You may not be aware that 2008 is the 60th
anniversary of the PAA! With that in mind, the conference
committee is planning some innovative seminars and contests to
entice everyone to attend and celebrate this important milestone.
Your chapter directors will give you more information as these
ideas develop. Mark your calendars and plan to attend the 60th
Anniversary Conference to be held January 9 – 12, 2008.
Our PAA website is currently undergoing some major changes
with the help of the chairman, Les Zern. He and his committee
have been working diligently. Sue Ivankovich is using her talent
of designing web pages to help in this endeavor. The goal of the
PAA is to use this site as a place to add your auctions which will
send the auctions directly to AuctionZip and beyond. Then, as
you add auctions via the PAA website, you will have access to
updates and information such as governmental and legislative
issues, membership benefits, and items to purchase that will
benefit your growing businesses.
Thank you all for the support that you have given me and
your confidence in me to lead this great association. I feel very
fortunate to work in an industry that offers so much opportunity,
diversity and networking among true professionals. I am
continually amazed at the talent exhibited by our members in
the great work that they do to improve the areas in which we
live and work. In addition to driving the “auction” industry to
new heights of innovation and excellence, our members share
their enthusiasm through networking to formulate best practices,
produce phenomenal results and deliver world-class performance.
See you at the auction!
Your president,
Sandy
Daniel A. Trace, PAA President-Elect
Daniel A. Trace was born in Saegertown, PA, in 1944. He
graduated from Saegertown High School, and then went to
work at the local factory, American Viscos, as
a welder. He worked there until the plant
closed.
He raised and showed both sheep and border
collies. He also had a boat dealership and an
Arctic Cat dealership for a few years. He is
active in the local 4H and county fair as cochairman of the sheep lead line.
Dan is chairman of the Friends of NRA committee, past exalted
ruler of the Elks, life member of the Elks, member of Grace
Methodist church, and past president of North West Fireman’s
Association. He was an EMT, EMT instructor, CPIA, and served
25 years in the local fire department.
Dan graduated from Reppert School of Auctioneering in 1994
and served his apprenticeship with C. Sherman Allen Auctioneer.
He then founded his own auction company and has been a
contract auctioneer and does several benefit auctions each year.
He is past president of the Northwest Chapter of PAA, past
chairman of PAA PAC, and a member of PAA and NAA.
Dan is married to his wife Connie and has 3 sons, a
stepdaughter and stepson and ten grandchildren. His hobbies
include hunting, fishing, NASCAR, and spending time with his
family.
Bill Anderson, Sr., PAA Vice President
Bill Anderson has been extremely active
within the local, regional, state and national
auction industry. Over the past ten years he
has served as president, vice president and
director of the Southwest Chapter. Under his
leadership Bill Anderson Auctioneers has
grown into a good and respectable auction company. He
conducts between 80 to 100 auctions a year along with his son
Bill Jr., including personal property, estates, business liquidations,
and real estate. He has attended many seminars and is always
open to new ideas.
Bill is active in professional areas outside of the auction
business. He has served as president and captain of a volunteer
fire department and still currently serves as administrator. He is
a past Boy Scout leader and a member and president of church
council. He attended Penn State Real Estate and Business
Administrative courses. He worked as district manager for a
large rubber company for 25 years. Along with his auctions he
finds time to conduct many benefit auctions for churches and
for battered women, among others.
He is a senior auctioneer who has contributed to many through
hard work and generosity. Bill belongs to many local organizations
which value his opinion. He is a well-respected member of the
community.
Robert A. Ensminger, PAA Treasurer
Since 1962, Bob has been affiliated with Ensminger
Auctioneers, one of America’s oldest,
continuously operated, family owned auction
companies. He started as a runner at auctions
and worked up through clerk, cashier, and
manager to auctioneer. As a fifth generation
auctioneer, Bob currently conducts an auction business with his
father and brother which was started by his great-great
grandfather February 1, 1836 in Harrisburg, PA.
Bob has also operated Robert Ensminger Appraisers, Real
PAA IN THE NEWS
Executive
Committee
2007
PRESIDENT
Sandy Brittingham, CAI, GPPA
Rittenhouse Auction Co.
90 Belmont Circle
Uniontown, PA 15401
(724) 438-0581
(412) 582-3427 cell
(724) 677-2884 fax
[email protected]
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Daniel A. Trace
Trace Auction Service
13348 Calvin St.
Meadville, PA 16335
(814) 336-4160
(814) 691-1005 cell
(814) 336-3940 fax
[email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT
Bill Anderson, Sr.
Bill Anderson & Assoc. Auctioneers
PO Box 107
Harrison City, PA 15636
(724) 327-3344; (800) 923-6727
(412) 389-1622 cell
(724) 744-0838 fax
[email protected]
TREASURER
Robert A. Ensminger
Ensminger Auctioneers
3557 Elmerton Ave.
Harrisburg, PA 17109-1132
(717) 652-4111
(717) 877-7350 cell
(717) 541-9444 fax
[email protected]
PAST PRESIDENT
H. Brent Souder, CAI, GPPA
Alderfer Auction Co.
501 Fairgrounds Road
Hatfield, PA 19440
(215) 393-3003
(267) 446-8350 cell
(215) 368-9055 fax
[email protected]
ADMINISTRATOR,
MAGAZINE EDITOR
Jeanie M. Crowl
PA Auctioneers Association
PO Box 299, 128 Turkey Hill Rd.
Elysburg, PA 17824
800-577-6801
(570) 672-9618 fax
[email protected]
2007 PAA Committees
Audit: Kim Hemingway, Lehigh Valley, Chair; Chapter Secretaries: Edie Lesh, Central;
Carlene Weaver, NE; Karen Patterson, NW; Audrey Andersen, SE; Linda Lunt, SW
Conference– Dan Trace, Chairperson; 2007 PAA Board of Directors, and Jeanie Crowl
Advertising Committee – Central, John Ensminger, Chair
Auctioneer of Year/Hall of Fame – Lehigh Valley, Kevin Smith, Chair
Auctioneer & Rookie Championship – Southeast, Gerald Rader, Chairperson
Fun Auction – Northeast, Bob Vanatta, Chairperson
Rotation – Northwest, Mike Calvert, Chairperson (Auxiliary Speaker,
Entertainment, Sergeant-at-Arms, Registration Committee)
Vendors//Sponsors/Welcome Booth Coordinator – Southwest, Randy Betton,
Chair
Constitution and Bylaws: Charles Stewart
Education: Mike Ivankovich, Chair, Mike Charnego, Charlene Caple, Sparky James
Grievance: Nevin Rentzel, Chair
Historian, Photography: Bill Anderson, Chair
Member Benefits: John Ensminger, Chair
Membership: Bill Anderson, Chair
Nominating: Harry Bachman, Chairman; Jim Clayton, C. Sherman Allen, Olen Knecht,
Vernon Martin, Larry Lefever
PAC: Bill Howze, Chair; Phil Grosh, Treasurer; Joe Herr (NW); Rich Townsend (NE);
Tom Saylor (C); Jim Clayton (SW); Phil Wesel (SE). Non-Voting: Dan Trace,
Kevin Smith, Jim Young, Bob Vanatta, Scott Wehrly. Ex-officio – Sandy Brittingham,
Jay Layman, Michael O’Rourke
Publication/Newsletter: Bill Anderson, Vice President, and 6 chapter directors
Technology: Les Zern, Chair; Matt Hostetter, Bill Howze, Jay Ziegler, Jerry Lessard,
Kim Hemingway, Mike Calvert, Sue Ivankovich
H. Brent Souder, CAI, GPPA, l., presents the PAA President’s Gavel to Sandra R. Brittingham,
CAI, GPPA, 2nd from l., as 2007 PAA President, while PAA President-Elect Dan Trace and newly
elected PAA Vice President Bill Anderson, Sr., r., look on.
PAA IN THE NEWS
2007
PAA State
Directors
“Spring Out & Join In “
PAA 2007 SPRING
New Membership Drive
Sign up a new member, receive an Official PAA Ball Cap.
Sign up two new members and receive an Official PAA Cap
and Personalized Vest.
Please contact Bill Anderson Sr. for more information.
[email protected] 724-327-3344
Offer good for sponsors of new members from
April 1, 2007 to May 30, 2007
Central Chapter
John Ensminger
Ensminger Auctioneers
415 Bernheisel Bridge Rd.
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 691-5598
(717) 319-1611 cell
(717) 718-8800 fax
[email protected]
Lehigh Valley Society
Kevin D. Smith
2 Carol Beth Ln.
Quakertown, PA 18951
(610) 797-1770
(215) 421-7431 cell
(610) 797-1770 fax
[email protected]
Northeast Chapter
Robert Vanatta
Col. Bob’s Auction Service
4514 New Columbia Rd.
New Columbia, PA 17856
(570) 568-5553
(570) 490-6698 cell
[email protected]
Northwest Chapter
Michael J. Calvert, Jr.
Richmond Auction Service
751 N. Main St.
Meadville, PA 16335
(814) 683-4809
(814) 282-9488 cell
(814) 333-1927 fax
[email protected]
Southeast Chapter
Gerald Rader
PO Box 877
Skippack, PA 19474
(610) 584-8058
(610) 613-2766 cell
(610) 584.7272 fax
[email protected]
Southwest Chapter
Randy A. Betton
Randy A. Betton Auctioneer
25 Nottingham Dr.
Greensburg, PA 15601
(724) 837-7948
(724) 516-5515 cell
(724) 832-1888 fax
[email protected]
PAA IN THE NEWS
PAA
New Members
The Pennsylvania Auctioneers
Association is proud to welcome these
members to the association. PAA would
like to take this opportunity to thank
them for joining their fellow auctioneers
statewide in helping to build a stronger
auction industry. PAA’s members look
forward to a long affiliation with these
new members.
Central Chapter
Anderson, Jr., John E.
Romine, Randy
Tonkovic III, John J.
Lehigh Valley
Felice, Joseph
F & W Publications/
AntiqueTrader
LiveAuctioneers
Pearson Insurance
Newville
Dover
Harrisburg
Glen Mills
Reading
New York City
Wyndmoor
Northwest Chapter
Otto, Jeffrey
Adamsville
Southeast Chapter
Bering, Robert D.
Bering, Jr., William
Cahill, George
Morris, Michael
Pendleton, James
Rhoads, Eileen
Shelley, Zach
Siegfried, Frederick
Stoltz, Jordin
Bethel
Bethel
Philadelphia
Elizabethtown
Mount Joy
Douglassville
Havre de Grace
Lancaster
Manheim
Southwest Chapter
Moss, Michael
Thomas, Larry
Marianna
Latrobe
Reimold Outlines Explanation
of Auctioneer, Appraiser
and USPAP
- opinion submitted by R.J. (Gus) Reimold Auctioneer & Licensed Certified
Appraiser, Transfer, Mercer County, PA
(Editor’s note: The Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice (USPAP) are the generally accepted
standards for professional appraisal practice in North America.
USPAP contains standards for all types of appraisal services.
Standards are included for real estate, personal property,
business and mass appraisal.)
First, USPAP are not laws . . . they’re guidelines. Unfortunately,
most state lawmakers use these guidelines to develop their laws.
Second, the reason banks, lending institutions and appraisers
hire auctioneers to appraise personal property is because
auctioneers sell personal property and auctioneers know personal
property value. Don’t auctioneers auction real estate? It’s
against the law for an auctioneer to give value on real estate.
Third, check the Auction PA Code and PA Licensing Act and
see how many times the word ‘appraisal’ or ‘appraiser’ is used
(check page 1.3 in the PA Code).
If auctioneers aren’t careful how we proceed with the use of
USPAP, auctioneers will be governed by real estate appraisers,
appraisal continuing education and appraisal licensing fees that
far exceed auctioneer fees.
At present, auctioneers do not need a license to do appraisals
for personal property. The only time an auctioneer needs to follow
USPAP guidelines is when he or she is involved in a governmentbacked loan appraisal where the personal property exceeds
$250,000 and the government is going to guarantee the loan.
Auctioneers don’t need to be licensed to do personal property
appraisals, and we don’t need to use USPAP. Auctioneers don’t
have to be certified to use guidelines, do we? Auctioneers don’t
have to be licensed to do personal property appraisals.
Let’s keep it that way.
Sometimes it is good to leave a sleeping dog lie.
If an auctioneer needs to use USPAP, pick up a copy and
read it.
Sanford Alderfer to be honored
Sanford A. Alderfer, founder of Sanford A. Alderfer Companies,
will be honored at the Harleysville Senior Center’s Pillar of the
Community dinner, April 20, at the Indian Valley Country Club.
Mr. Alderfer is being recognized for his longstanding service
to the greater Harleysville area. He served on the board of Rockhill
Mennonite Community; Spruce Lake Retreat, Souderton
Mennonite Homes, Christopher Dock Mennonite High School,
and 36 years on the board of Harleysville Savings Bank.
Sanford sees his involvement as a way of giving back to the
community. He truly is a ‘pillar’ of this community in Montgomery
County.
PAA IN THE NEWS
PAA Champion of Champions
Contest Underway
In order to add a new flair to this year’s 60th anniversary conference, and at the
suggestion of the Southeast Chapter, a Champion of Champions Showcase and Bid
Calling Contest is being planned during the Fun Auction on Thursday evening, January
10, 2008.
The goal of this contest is for all past bid calling winners and attendees of the fun
auction to have just that: FUN and celebrate our profession and its 60 years of existence.
We will be inviting the past bid calling champions since the event was begun in 1980 to
participate in the showcase.
As details are finalized, more information will be available in the magazine as well as
on the PAA website.
Make plans now to attend the PAA Conference and Trade Show next January!
Get the Most from Your
PAA Membership
When you enthusiastically support PAA, great things happen! You grow
professionally, your business grows, and the whole auction industry benefits!
Here are several simple ways to help the PAA and yourself!
• Proudly display your PAA membership certificate and logo in a prominent place in
your office.
• Always use the PAA logo on your printed materials.
• Attend your chapter meetings whenever possible.
• Frequently, call someone who is not a PAA member and invite him or her to a
chapter meeting.
• Read The Keystone Auctioneer as soon as it arrives in the mail.
• Share your expertise by writing an article for the magazine.
• Encourage your employees and family members to attend PAA conferences or
chapter meetings.
• Get to know your state and federal representatives and senators.
• When asked to send a letter supporting a particular legislative position, do so
promptly.
• Keep your annual PAA Membership Directory and Resource Guide handy for
contact purposes.
• List all your auctions on the PAA’s website – www.paauctioneers.org - where
you can advertise your sales for free to an unlimited audience.
• Take advantage of the PAA’s educational programs and seminars at the annual
conference.
• Use the ideas you learn at the PAA conference and let others know how they
helped you and your business.
• Volunteer to serve on at least one committee.
• Offer new ideas for the PAA’s future to officers, boardmembers or administrator.
• Make a regular contribution to the PAA political action committee – they’re working
to maintain regulation and licensing you can live with!
• Participate in chapter special events, such as holiday parties, which provide great
ways to keep in touch with your fellow PAA members.
• As much as possible, do business with other PAA members.
PAA Member
Benefit
Thanks to the good work of PAA
Vice President Bill Anderson, Sr.,
PAA members can take advantage
of a hefty discount on goods and
services in Sears’ Automotive
Centers statewide, as well as receive
an oil change and lube for the low
price of $19.95 (regular price
$24.95).
Go to any Sears Automotive
Center, ask for their Commercial
Account Discount, show your PAA
membership card or give them the
PAA toll-free phone number – 800577-6801 – and receive a
minimum of 7% off goods and
services in their vehicle centers and
get $5 off the regular price of an
oil change and lube.
This member benefit has been
arranged for all PAA members
through the courtesies of the
Greensburg, PA-area Sears
Automotive Centers (Doug
Leichliter, (724) 830-1321) but is
available throughout Pennsylvania
on a state level (Frank Justin, (440)
840-2500).
Take advantage now and save!
www
.mendenhallschool.com
www.mendenhallschool.com
[email protected]
PAA IN THE NEWS
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow …Father and Son Buzz Jobs
On Sunday, March 11, Nevin and Levi Rentzel of York County
participated in “St. Baldrick’s Day” festivities at Manchester’s
Union Fire Co.
For those not familiar with St. Baldrick’s, this is a fundraiser
in which “shavees” solicit donations to have their heads shaved
to show their compassion for children who have lost their hair
due to chemo treatments, but more importantly to raise money
for children’s cancer research.
Their local event drew over 100 “shavees,” more than a dozen
barbers/hairstylists who donated their time, local TV stations
to cover the event, and had a goal of $50,000 which will be
donated to Penn State Children’s Hospital.
This now-bald
pair was able to raise
approximately
$4,000 and would
like to thank all the
auction companies,
auctioneers, clerks,
regular auction
attendees, family,
friends, and church
members for their generosity
in donating to this very
worthy cause.
Fighting childhood cancer
is a year-round job, and
shaving heads is only one way
to do it. Here are some
other ways you can help.
Exciting Auctions!
Tribute & Memorial Gifts
Gifts of Stock
Surf & Shop for the Cause
Cell Phones & Inkjet Cartridges
Car Donations
Got something else in mind? We’d love to hear from you.
Please contact [email protected] or call 888-899BALD, ext. 15.
Anyone interested in donating to the Rentzels’ event can still
do so by logging on to:
http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/
event_info.html?EventID=94
Order several today – for yourself and auction personnel!
Permanent Name Badges Available from PAA
You can order your very own permanent, laser-engraved name badge – yours to use year after year at the PAA conference
or any auction-related event (including your own auctions)!
The badges are blue with the white PAA logo and text and beveled edges. You get two lines of text – your name in larger,
upper case letters and a second line (either your company name or city and state) in smaller letters. See sample printed below.
Dimensions: 3-1/2" x 2-1/4.” They affix with a strong magnet- no pins or clips!
only $12 each!
Badge Information:
First line (name as you wish it to appear and designations) ______________________________________________
Second line (either auction company or city/state) ______________________________________________________
Please make photocopies of this page for each additional badge.
Payment Options:
Checks: Payable to PAA (U.S. funds only)
Money Orders: U.S. funds only
Credit Cards: ❏ Visa ❏ Master Card
$ ____________ ($12 x _______ badges)
$ ____________ ($12 x _______ badges)
$ ____________ ($12 x _______ badges)
Name (as it appears on card, printed) __________________________________
Account # ____________________________________ Exp. Date ___________
Signature __________________________________________________________
Return completed form and payment to:
PAA or Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association
PO Box 299, Elysburg, PA 17824
800-577-6801 • (570) 672.9618 fax
[email protected]
(shown smaller than actual size)
PAA IN THE NEWS
PAA Auxiliary Announces
Officers for 2007
The PAA Auxiliary held its annual meeting and seminar in
January at the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association Conference
in Harrisburg on Thursday, January 11.
The auxiliary again sponsored the Wednesday night reception at
the hotel after the PAA Auctioneer Championship at the Farm Show.
A presentation on 300 years of Pennsylvania German Folk Art by
Peter S. Seibert, president of the Lancaster Heritage Museum, was
very well received by auxiliary and PAA members. We had a great
attendance and were happy to share the seminar with everyone.
Officers of the auxiliary for 2007 are Edie Lesh, president;
Joann Slosberg, vice president; and Linda Lewis, secretarytreasurer.
Auctioneers, spouses, auction personnel, if you would like to
become a member, please sign up and join us! Dues are $5 per
year. Why not include them every year in your PAA membership
when he/she renews? Please complete the application and send
to Linda Lewis at the address below.
Please complete and return to:
Linda Lewis, Secretary
PAA Auxiliary
557 Wyoming Avenue
Wyoming, PA 18644
Make checks payable to the PAA Auxiliary. Thank you!!
Name _____________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________
City ______________________ State _____ Zip___________
Phone ___________________
Fax ______________________
Email _____________________________________________
Chapter ______ Auction Co. _________________________
For Sale:
Clerking ticket boxes,
cash boxes, clipboards.
Call Rodger at
717-270-4555.
In Memoriam
Elmer M. Murry of
Lititz passed away earlier
this year. Elmer started
auctioneering in 1953
and was owner and
operator of Elmer Murry
Auctions, Inc., which his
son Richard continues to
operate.
He was a mentor to
many young auctioneers
throughout his life and was a PAA member. Earlier in his life
Elmer was a farmer.
He enjoyed painting folk art in the watercolor medium and
was an enthusiastic storyteller to friends and family.
Dale L. Putt of Akron, PA died unexpectedly in February.
He owned and operated the Dale L. Putt Auction Service for
over 50 years.
He was a member of the Music Box Society, National
Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and the Pennsylvania
and National Button Clubs.
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PAA IN THE NEWS
NW Seminar & Auction
The Northwest Chapter of the Pennsylvania Auctioneers
Association held its 30th annual spring seminar and auction
recently. Approximately 300 people attended the auction which
was held at The Rosemont Banquet Center, Sharon, PA.
Beth Hillmar was the auction chairman this year. On Friday
evening, February 9th, a coin auction was held and an auction of
antiques, collectibles and Amish furniture was conducted on
Saturday. A large crowd enjoyed and bid on a wide variety of
items. Many of the items had been donated, and the chapter
again donated the proceeds to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital,
Erie, PA. The Amish sold their delicious donuts and their proceeds
went to the hospital, as well. Over $2,600 was raised for the
Shriner’s Children’s Hospital from the auction. Total for both
auctions broke past records.
Wayne Patterson was seminar chairman which was held on
Sunday, February 11th, at the Radisson Hotel Sharon, West
PAA IN THE NEWS
Middlesex, PA. The seminar opened with
registration and continental breakfast. Many
interesting topics were discussed at the
seminar: David White and John Hudson
talked on wood identification; Brad Roae,
State Representative 6th District Crawford
Co spoke; Sherman Hostetter made a
presentation on real estate; David Cordier
and Ellen Miller presented a seminar on
online auctions; John Schindell, motivational speaker, on “Selling with Personality Why Behavioral Selling Works”; David Cordier on fine art; and Nanette Catarinella on
staging homes. PAA President Sandy Brittingham attended and spoke at the noon
luncheon. Everyone enjoyed the informative programs. Newspaper advertising donated
by local newspapers was sold at an auction at the noon luncheon. Certificates with
credits were issued to all the attendees.
NW Shriner’s Award
The Northwest Chapter of the Pennsylvania Auctioneers
Association was presented with a trophy registered in the Gold
Book Society of the Shriner’s Hospital for the many donations
given to the Children’s Hospital for the past many years.
- submitted by Karen Patterson, NW Secretary-Treasurer
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural exposition in America,
attracting nearly half-a-million people. The 2008 show dates are Jan. 6-13 and will
feature some 6,000 animals, 8,000 competitive exhibits and 270 commercial exhibitors.
Stephanie’s Poem
Auctioneering
by Stephanie Errigo
The fall of the gavel loosens the cobwebs from the antiques,
The mic lets out a phenomena as the auctioneer speaks,
What item comes next depends on the guys,
Satisfaction comes from an awesome buy,
As every hour passes the auctioneer becomes restless,
Her lovely calls turns quickly to distress,
The afternoon sun has glazed the crowd,
They turn motionless and are no longer loud,
The land is soon up for bid,
Dazzles the market again like it once did,
Night entangles as soon as it can,
Causing the people spring sooner than they did plan.
Stephanie Errigo
Pat Errigo Auctions
769 Greenwood Rd
Curwensville, PA 16833
Membership in
PAA makes
sense!
✓ Legislative influence – PAA’s lobbying
efforts through the professional
services of Capital Associates, Inc.
makes for regulatory and licensing
victories within the auction industry in
Pennsylvania. Everyday state and
federal government officials are making
decisions that directly affect you and
your auction business which can
dramatically impact your overall
success. Capital Associates, Inc.,
effectively and efficiently influences key
decision makers. They become the
eyes, ears and voice of the auction
profession by using their resources,
relationships and access to government
officials to monitor critical processes
and initiate strategic activities on behalf
of PA auctioneers.
✓ Educational seminars – The annual
PAA State Conference, Trade Show and
PAACE (Pennsylvania Auctioneers
Accredited Continuing Education)
Program offers a host of workshops,
seminars, roundtable discussions,
contests, networking, and CE credits for
all licensed Pennsylvania auctioneers.
✓ Information resource – The Keystone
Auctioneer is an important news
magazine containing auction-specific
articles including technical topics,
marketing, promotion, technology,
business operations, PAA member
news, and the future of the auction
industry in Pennsylvania.
✓ Free auction listing on three
websites - You are able to advertise your
auctions to an unlimited audience for
free! The partnership among the PAA,
Auction Zip.com and the NAA affords
a priceless opportunity for exposure to
your auctions.
✓ Trusted credentials – Your buyers
and sellers look for credentials, and the
PAA logo is recognizable and reputable.
Display
it
proudly, and
your buyers
and sellers will
respond.
2007 PAA CONFERENCE
PAA Members Come Up Winners
at 2007 Annual Conference
Four PAA members were honored in different fields for their
expertise, commitment and skills during the 59th Annual PAA
Conference and Trade Show earlier this year.
Charles L. Wehrly of Wehrly’s Auction,
LLC, Glen Rock, York County, PA,was named
2007 Pennsylvania Auctioneer of the Year by
the 581-member Pennsylvania Auctioneers
Association for his contributions of excellent
leadership, commitment to the auction method
of marketing and high ethical standards.
Frederick L. Toomey, CAI, of Toomey’s
Auction Service in York County and former PAA
President, was inducted into the PAA Hall of
Fame, joining a list of 34 other respected and
distinguished Pennsylvania auctioneers since
1990.
David R. Conley, of
Rentzel’s Auction Service of York, was judged
the best bid caller in the 2007 PAA Auctioneer
Championship held at the State Farm Show in
Harrisburg, competing against several dozen
other auctioneers for the coveted title.
Kylee Hostetter Reeder of Hostetter
Auctioneers, Beaver Falls, PA was the winner in
the third annual ‘Rookie Auctioneer
Championship,’ a competition for newer
auctioneers to showcase their bid calling skills.
2007 PAA AUCTIONEER OF THE YEAR
Charles L.Wehrly was born August 23, 1935, and graduated
from Susquehannock High School in 1953. He has been married
to Ruth H. Wehrly, and the couple celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary on June 2, 2006. They have a son Scott who is a
partner in the auction business, a son Mark, a daughter Diane,
and a daughter Holly who is deceased.
Charlie attended Reisch School of
Auctioneers in 1967 and served his
apprenticeship under Auctioneer Austin
Mohrline from York. He performed
auction sales in fire halls from 1969 to
76, then built an auction building in 1976. Additionally, the
Wehrly Auction Company does on-site sales of real estate,
household goods, antiques, and farm machinery, as well as benefit
auctions for 4H, Boy Scouts of America and others.
The first sale the Wehrlys conducted for St. Jude Children’s
Hospital in 2004 netted $1,500 for neckties; they expanded the
concept in 2005 and raised nearly $5,000; and, finally, in 2006,
a St. Jude cake and craft sale realized $7,700.
He has served as president of the Central Chapter and
represented Central as director to the PAA. Charlie is also an
active member of the National Auctioneers Association and
attends many conferences.
Charlie has been a supervisor in Codorus Township for 18
years and is active in his local church.
The PAA Auctioneer of the Year award is a high honor
bestowed on an individual auctioneer who has shown excellent
leadership, high ethical standards, willingness to share with others,
participation in community affairs, and outstanding contributions
to the PAA and the auction profession in 2006.
2007 PAA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
Frederick L. Toomey , CAI,
was inducted into the Pennsylvania
Auctioneers Association’s Hall of
Fame at the PAA Conference and
Trade Show in January.
The PAA Hall of Fame was
established in 1990 as a lifetime achievement award by foresighted
auctioneers to recognize, honor and promote the outstanding
contributions auctioneers make that improve and evolve our
society and communities through the auction industry.
Following is the introduction which Ralph Zettlemoyer,
longtime friend and fellow auctioneer, presented on Fred’s behalf.
“Tonight’s recipient has quite a background … and I would like to
share some of his life with you.
He went to school to become an auctioneer in the mid-70’s. This
man and his wife attended their first PAA convention shortly after they
conducted their first auction and that summer traveled to Boston to
attend the NAA convention. He took the CAI course and got quite
involved with the state association. He held offices in his local chapter
and served as PAA President.
Still remembering their first state convention, I introduced myself to
them, wanting to make them feel welcome and tried to take them
‘under my wing.” Little did I know then this was the start of a long, close
friendship. I’ve seen their auction business grow and I’d like to think
that I helped them in some small way with my ideas and opinions
during our discussions. Since that first convention, Pat (Zettlemoyer)
and I have spend a lot of time with them over the years at conventions,
evenings of entertainment, weekends at our chalet, a vacation after the
Denver convention, and even family weddings. That’s why I’m pleased
to do this presentation this evening.
– continued, next page
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2007 PAA CONFERENCE
PAA Members Come Up Winners continued from page 19
Now, let’s get back to the details. After this recipient graduated from
high school, he joined the US Navy. He had the privilege of playing
drums in the Navy band and played for President Kennedy. He served on
a destroyer and was on a ship off the cost of Cuba during the missile
crisis.
When he returned from the Navy, he married his sweetheart, worked
as an electrician and air conditioning mechanic for 30 years before
retiring. He served on his local borough council, church council, is a 30year member of the Lion’s Club, a 32nd degree mason, and is involved in
many other community organizations.
Getting back to the auction business, after he retired from his fulltime
job, he and his wife opened an auction center to conduct weekly auctions.
This man donates his time to many local charities, doing benefit auctions.
He has held auctions for 30 years for a local hospital, sponsors an
annual Christmas party for the Make-A-Wish children and their families,
and he donates his auction facility to many local charities and
organizations.
Collecting firearms and antique cars and trucks is a passion. He
serves as liaison between the Pennsylvania State Police and the PAA and
has presented seminars on firearms in Pennsylvania and New York.
He and his wife have two sons and two beautiful granddaughters.”
2007 PAA AUCTIONEER CHAMPION
David Conley of Mt. Wolf was named Pennsylvania State
Auctioneer Champion for 2007, the 28th auctioneer to win the
competition since 1980.
More than 30 of the best auctioneers in the state competed
for this coveted title at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show, drawing
men and women from across the Commonwealth, who were
judged by a panel of 8 judges. The contestants were judged not
only on their bid calling ability, but also on their overall
presentation, speech, appearance, and salesmanship.
In the final round the contestants drew a second time for
placement and sold two additional items. From this round a runnerup was chosen as well as the champion. This year’s runner-up is
John M. Hess of Manheim, Lancaster County, PA.
Judges for the competition include Bill Sheridan, NAA
President, Shelley Ashcroft representing Lancaster Farming,
Olen Knecht (NE Chapter), Bill Anderson, Sr. (SW Chapter),
Larry Whyte (SE Chapter), Charles Wehrly (Central), Tim
Rocco (2006 champion and NW Chapter), and Bill Bartus
(Lehigh Valley).
David and his wife Aimee have been
married for 5 years. They have son Noah,
3 years old, and a daughter Gracie, 6
months. Both Dave and Aimee grew up in
the York area and have just moved to Mt.
Wolf, York County, PA.
Dave is a 1992 graduate of York County
Vo-Tech, a 1993 Graduate of Reppert’s School of Auctioneering
in Decatur, IL, and a 1993 graduate of HAAC’s four-credit
auctioneer course. In 1994 he was licensed and bonded as an
auctioneer in PA and received journeyman machinist papers in
1995 while working in a machinist career.
He has worked as an auctioneer for Rentzel’s Auction Service
since 1994, becoming a full-time auctioneer in August 2000.
Previously Dave was employed at Mt. Royal Auction, Dover,
PA, from 1995-2001, Billet Industries from 1997-2000 and
A.C.S. Tool from 1991-1997, where he worked as a machinist.
Dave has served as Central Chapter vice president, president
and state director.
He is a member of Community Bible
Church in Marietta and the Early American
Steam Engine Association.
His hobbies include collecting antique
farm items and John Deere items. Dave
also enjoys attending auctions when not
conducting one of his own.
2007 PAA ROOKIE AUCTIONEER CHAMPION
A brother and sister turned a shared passion for the auction
industry into a back-to-back win of the PAA Rookie Auctioneer
Championship, a great opportunity for newer auctioneers to
showcase their bid calling skills. This year’s rookie champion
was Kylee Hostetter Reeder of Beaver County, PA.
Kylee’s brother Matt Hostetter was named Rookie Auctioneer
Champion in 2006. Likewise, Kylee’s and Matt’s father, Sherman
Hostetter, succeeded in capturing the state title in 1992.
The rookie contest provides a great opportunity for newer
auctioneers to showcase their bid calling skills. In order to
2007 PAA CONFERENCE
compete as a rookie, an auctioneer must be licensed for less
than 24 months.
Kylee graduated from Blackhawk High
School in June 2005. Currently Kylee is
an active member of the family auction
business started in 1955 by her
grandparents, Sherman and Doris
Hostetter, and presently owned by her
father, Sherman Hostetter, Jr. Even as a
young girl running around “helping” at
the personal property sales, Kylee had aspirations of working
with the family and in the auction business.
At the tender age of 13, Kylee graduated as one of the youngest
students ever from Reppert Auction School in Auburn, Indiana,
much to her parents’ delight. Kylee has prided herself on
continuing her education and has spent numerous hours achieving
the CES (Certified Estate Specialist) and the GA (Graduate
Auctioneer) designations as well as pursuing auction industry
information within various related classes and seminars. She has
actively participated annually in both the PAA and NAA conventions
PAA Auctioneer Champions
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
John Lindley
Harry Anderson
Richard Moyer
John Martin *
Robert Clinton
James Gibson, Sr.
Kerry A. Pae
Larry Lefever, Sr.
David Yearsley
Ed Miller
Ken Hansell
Bradley Smith
Sherman Hostetter, Jr.
Michael Fortna
Gerald Pennay, Jr.
Nevin Rentzel
C. Sherman Allen
Frank Trunzo
John Rutt II
Thomas Abruzzese
Mark Ferry
Randy Betton
Ryan Groff
H. Brent Souder
Matthew S. Hurley
B. J. Jennings
Tim Rocco
David Conley
Prosperity
Georgetown
Spring City
Lancaster
Ottsville
Pottstown
Harrisburg
Quarryville
Kemblesville
York
Perkiomenville
Brogue
Beaver Falls
Annville
Hop Bottom
York
Conneaut Lake
Apollo
Ephrata
Bath
Latrobe
Greensburg
Manheim
Sellersville
Greencastle
York Haven
McKean
York
for as long as she can remember and is surely one of the youngest
lifetime members of the National Auctioneers Association.
Kylee is also employed as a salvage auto auctioneer with her
brother Matt at the “Insurance Auto Auction” in Bakerstown,
PA.
One of her favorite things about the auction business is bid
calling because she enjoys the challenge and anticipation of seeing
what she can accomplish while she is “up front.” In her first
taste of competitive bid calling she missed the top ten in the
Ladies’ Division at the 2006 NAA Conference and Show by less
than one point. In January at the PAA convention, Kylee won
the 2007 PAA Rookie Bid Calling Championship and placed 8th
in the overall competition. Her family feels this is quite an
accomplishment for a 19-year-old young woman and is extremely
proud to boast holding the Rookie Championship title for two
years in a row.
Kylee also enjoys helping charitable organizations throughout
the tri-state area by participating with her dad and brother in
dozens of fundraisers which raise in excess of a million dollars
annually. She is active in every aspect of the auction business
and helps with everything from listing the auction, gathering
information, marketing, auction set up, bid calling, clerking and
cashiering to auction settlement.
Last September Kylee married her high school sweetheart,
Daniel Reeder, and together they have a beautiful daughter,
Peyton Grace, who is a joy to the entire family and hopefully
part of the 4th generation of Hostetter Auctioneers. Kylee’s
husband Daniel is also a full time member of the family auction
business and an apprentice auctioneer working toward his auction
license and PA real estate salesperson license.
Their dreams are to grow their family while continuing to
grow in the auction industry.
TOP 10 WINNERS 2007
Place
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Name
James Benton Pendleton
Brian Burke
Kylee Hostetter Reeder (Rookie)
Sue Houck
Theresa Burke-Dudock
Michael P. Weaver
Patrick Burke
Michael J. Martin
John M. Hess
David Conley
City
Mount Joy
Tunkhannock
Beaver Falls
Reedsville
Meshoppen
Allenwood
Meshoppen
Lancaster
Manheim
York
PAA Rookie Auctioneer Champions
2005
2006
2007
Phil Grosh
Matt Hostetter
Kylee H. Reeder
York Haven
Beaver Falls
Beaver Falls
2007 PAA CONFERENCE
Ad Contest Winners 2007
One Color: Personal Property/Estate
Liquidation
Hostetter Auctioneers
One Color: Farm Machinery and
Equipment
C. Sherman Allen Auctioneers
One Color: Residential Real Estate
Fortna Auctioneers
One Color: Farm Real Estate
Shamrock Auctions
One Color: Collectibles/Antiques/
Specialty
One Color: Real Estate/Personal
Property Combined
Multi-Color: Personal Property
Sanford Alderfer Auction Co.
Multi-Color: Farm Machinery &
Equipment
Multi-Color: Residential Real Estate
Matthew S. Hurley Auction Co.
Multi-Color: Farm Real Estate
Fortna Auctions
Multi-Color: Collectibles/Antiques/
Specialty
Barry S. Slosberg Auction Co.
Multi-Color: Real Estate/Personal
Property Combined
Personal Property/Estate Liquidation
(non-commercially produced)
Farm Machinery & Equipment
C. Sherman Allen Auctioneers
Residential Real Estate
Farm Real Estate
Shamrock Auctions
Collectibles/Antiques/Specialty
2007 PAA CONFERENCE
Real Estate/Personal Property
Combined
Rittenhouse Auction Co.
Commercial/Industrial
Fred Peters
Commercial/Industrial Real Estate
Fortna Auctions
Newspaper Display
Barry S. Slosberg Auctions
Specialty Catalogue
Auction Firm Promotional
Stationery
Business Card
Internet Website
Yoder and Frey Auctioneers
Photography
Barry S. Slosberg Auctions
BEST OF SHOW
DVD Auction Firm Promotional
THANKS TO COMMITTEE AND JUDGES
On behalf of the members, executive committee and board of directors of the
Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association, we would like to thank the chair and the 2007
PAA Advertising Contest Committee for their diligence in carrying out this year’s contest.
According to contest chair Tim Rocco of the Northwest Chapter, his committee was
a TEAM effort. He would like to recognize Jim Finn who helped organize the entries
and present the awards during the luncheon, as well as the Erie Ad Club who professionally
judged the advertising submissions.
There’s always extensive behind-the-scenes work and effort to any worthwhile event,
and the 2007 PAA
Advertising Contest
is an excellent
example
of
volunteers working
together for the
good of the larger
body.
Thanks again to
all PAA members
who coordinated the
contest, submitted
entries, helped with
the
selection
process,
and
participated in the
2007 Photography Winner in the PAA Advertising Contest – Barry S.
awards program.
Slosberg Auctions.
PAA sponsors generously help to
underwrite cost of annual conference
The PAA Board of Directors would like
to recognize again and publicly thank the
22 generous firms and individuals who
contributed to this year’s sponsorship
program.
Without these funds, our conference
could not stay affordable, and registration
fees would certainly increase.
Platinum
1. 1-800-THE-SIGN
2. Sanford Alderfer Companies
3. AntiqueWeek
4. Central Chapter,PAA
5. LiveAuctioneers.com
6. E. R. Munro and Company
7. Northeast Chapter PAA
8. Pearson Insurance Associates
Gold
1. Auctioneere.com (Philip D. Wesel)
2. Tom Hall Auctions, Inc.
3. Hunyady Auction Company
Silver
1. E. R. Munro and Company
Donor
1. Harry H. Bachman, Auctioneer
2. James E. Lewis
3. Nevin B. Rentzel, Auctioneer
4. Southeast Chapter PAA
Contributor
1. Craig M. Brown
2. Clayton Auctions
3. Larry Martin
4. Rittenhouse Auction Co.
5. Lesh Auction Co.
6. Olen R. Knecht Auctions
7. Wm. Rittenhouse Agency, Inc.
Rust not, my lady: The Statue of
Liberty should never rust. Teflon has
been placed between the steel
framework and the copper skin of the
restored statue.
For sale: The first item available for
sale in a vending machine in the US
was chewing gum. The dispensing
machines began to appear in train
stations in New York City in 1888.
Dive in: The term ‘dive’ – referring
to a sleazy hotel or bar – is a nickname
that first came up in the mid-1800’s
in New York City when citizens had
to ‘dive’ below street level to get to the
seedy saloons operating in the
basements of run-down row houses.
Relatively speaking: Remember, your
relatives had no choice in the matter,
either.
2007 PAA CONFERENCE
2007 Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association Fun Auction
This year’s PAA Fun Auction was a great success due to
overwhelming chapter, advertiser and vendor support. Many
quality and exciting donations were received to bolster a grand
total of over $19,000.
Some of the highlights included newspaper ads from $250 to
$950; a water crock with the PAA logo from the Southwest
Chapter for $275; 3-night stay at the Sheraton for $230;
auctioneer sign for $600; quilts for $450 and $500; Ford pedal
car $200; 2-day turkey hunt $250; ’08 conference registration
$325; portable auction stand from the Northwest Chapter for
$900; condo weekend $350; trap shoot $395; and a website
design $500.
The team of Nevin Rentzel and Olen Knecht sold the last 8
neckties in existence many times for a total of $1,190! These
neckties have raised thousands of dollars for our association.
The Central Chapter has issued a big ‘thank you’ to everyone
who was instrumental in carrying out the necessary plans to set
up the fun auction, who contributed time and effort in acquiring
goods and services to be sold, and who supported the PAA by
donating items, selling them and purchasing items.
Thank you to everyone from the Central Chapter who
provided their help and expertise and also to the HACC auction
students for helping with the auction.
Harry H. Bachman and Blaine Rentzel
Fun Auction 2007 Co-Chairmen
PAA 2007 Conference Speakers
Listed here for your information and future reference are the names and addresses
of all speakers and participants in the 2007 Annual PAA Conference.
Panel on Coins
Merv Adams
208 Maple St.
Millersburg, PA 17061
717-692-3076 phone
717-692-4313 fax
Mike Charnego
117 Miller Ave.
Homer City, PA 15748
724-388-2247 phone
724-479-0336 fax
[email protected]
Bob Ensminger
3557 Elmerton Ave.
Harrisburg, PA 17109
717-877-7350 phone
717-541-9444 fax
[email protected]
Automobilia
Dave Bausch
252 N. 7th St.
Allentown, PA 18102
610-432-3355 phone
610-820-9368 fax
[email protected]
Art Deco Graphics
Sue Berman
2140 W. Walnut St.
Allentown, PA 18104
610-432-7187 phone
610-432-4192 fax
[email protected]
Escrow Accounts
Jeffrey Reich
Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Reich
111 N. Lime St.
Lancaster, PA 17602
717-394-7182 phone
717-394-7085 fax
[email protected]
Musical Instruments
Barry Slosberg
Slosberg Auction
2501 E. Ontario St.
Philadelphia, PA 19134
215-783-0215 phone
215-425-7039 fax
[email protected]
Matt Ceresini
Central Dauphin H.S.
437 Piketown Rd.
717-703-5360 phone
717-703-5730 fax
[email protected]
Samuel E. Kibler
Central Dauphin H.S.
437 Piketown Rd.
717-703-5360, #407 phone
717-703-5730 fax
[email protected]
State of Antiques
Michael Ivankovich
3694 Concord Rd.
Doylestown, PA 18901
215-345-6094 phone
215-345-1760 fax
[email protected]
Internet Auctions
Steve Johnson
Auction Zip.com
105 S. Richard St., #B
Bedford, PA 15522
814-623-5059 phone
866-522-6324 fax
[email protected]
Joe Koval
105 S. Richard St., #B
Bedford, PA 15522
814-623-5059 phone
866-522-6324 fax
[email protected]
Guest Speaker
Honorable Mark K. Keller
PA House of Representatives
HB 202020, 5 East Wing
717-783-1593 phone
717-705-7012 fax
[email protected]
Antique Prewar Toys
Ted Maurer
1003 Brookwood Dr.
Pottstown, PA 19464
610-323-1573 phone
[email protected]
Farm Machinery
Blaine Rentzel
PO Box 222
Emigsville, PA 17318
717-577-1888 phone
717-764-5492 fax
[email protected]
Ralph Zettlemoyer
8543 Claussville Rd.
Fogelsville, PA 18051
610-703-3876 phone
610-395-0227 fax
[email protected]
Woody Zettlemoyer
Zettlemoyer Auction Co. LLC
PO Box 215
Fogelsville, PA 18051
(610) 395-8084
(610) 395-0227 fax
[email protected]
PA German Folk Art
Peter Seibert
Heritage Center Museum
13 W. King St.
Lancaster, PA 17603
717-299-6440 phone
717-299-6916 fax
[email protected]
Real Estate Auctions
William Sheridan, CAI
Sheridan Auction & Realty
740 S. Cedar St.
Mason, MI 48854
517-676-9800 phone
517-676-4440 fax
[email protected]
Pest Control
Ed Van Istendal
Tomlinson Bomberger
3055 Yellow Goose Rd.
Lancaster, PA 17601
717-989-4299 phone
717-537-4151 fax
[email protected]
AUCTION INDUSTRY NEWS
A Short Primer on Tortoiseshell
By definition, tortoiseshell is the horny,
translucent, mottled plate covering the
carapace of the tropical hawksbill turtle.
The plates, too thin for most purposes in
their original form, are usually built up in
layers that are molded or compressed after
the surfaces have been liquefied by heat;
thus a firm union is effected after
resolidification. Inlays can be imbedded
in the shell with a hot iron. Tortoiseshell
has been used in veneering since ancient
times; its chief use today is in the
manufacture of toilet articles and
decorative objects. It is imitated in
products of celluloid and horn, but the
laminated structure of most genuine work
aids in identifying the real shell.
THE DECORATIVE SHELL
Tortoiseshell, the much-admired
decorative material, derives not from a
land tortoise but from certain species of
marine turtles, principally the relatively
small hawksbill. Recognized by the
misnomer tortoiseshell, the substance has
been renowned for its beauty since early
times, principally for small articles, boxes
and cases, hair combs, fans and jewelry,
and ornamental veneers and inlays on
furniture. According to the Shorter
Oxford English Dictionary (1965), the
word tortoiseshell was coined in 1601.
The substance tortoiseshell is referred
to as a “natural plastic” or “thermoplastic,”
because of its ability, when heated, to be
worked, stamped, pressed, or refashioned,
retaining on cooling any desired shape to
which it has been molded. It can also be
engine-turned. Tortoiseshell takes and
retains a high polish
- it is this particular
quality that endeared
it to the most noble
in society during the
18 th
and
19 th
centuries. Because of
its expense, only the
wealthy could afford
hence
the
Tortoise Shell & it;
Coral or Carnelian introduction
of
Patch Box, Snuff - stained, clarified horn
Pique & Cameoin imitation of
possibly 1770’s80’s, approx. $995. genuine tortoiseshell
and later, mottled celluloid, both
considerably cheaper substances.
Tortoiseshell has long been popular in
China and other parts of the Orient.
Wealthy citizens of ancient Rome sought
decorative objects of tortoiseshell and
brought to Italy from the Far East by way
of Egypt. Spain was one of the first
European countries to use tortoiseshell
commercially in decoration and inlays,
using it on chests and cabinets as early as
the 15th century.
CHARACTERISTICS
PROCESSING
AND
a horny, organic substance covering the
skeletal back of the turtle and known as
the upper side or carapace. An adult
carapace is comparatively smooth. It is
made up of 13 plates or shields, 5 in the
center and 4 overlapping on each side.
These are composed principally of keratin,
a fibrous protein similar to cattle horns
and hooves and to the human fingernail.
The plates are valued for their rich, warm,
yellow, translucent color, marbled and
spotted with reddish, chestnut-brown
tints, giving an almost three-dimensional
effect. The underside, plastron, is
composed of 12 ventral plates of a
Tortoiseshell is not actually a shell but
LAW LABELS OF APPROVED DuPONT TYVEK
MATERIAL
LAW LABEL SPECIALISTS
STOCK LABELS – SAVE money by typing in your own registration
numbers. As low as $29 per 250; $49 for 500; $84 for 1,000.
FINISH LABELS – Printed with numbers and, if desired, name and
address. $94 per 1,000.
ORDERING NOTE – For finished labels, SEND ALONG SAMPLE.
Check or money order MUST accompany order. Please add $4
on ALL orders for shipping/handling charges. C.O.D. orders
accepts. Please allow 7 days for delivery of stock labels; 10
days-2 weeks for finish labels.
J. GEMBERLING
1713 Route 522 North, Lewistown, PA 17044
Phone & Fax: (717) 248-0867
Cleaning Antique Ivory
BEFORE HANDLING ANTIQUE IVORY
Ivory is very porous, and the porous characteristic of ivory
means that antique ivory will absorb the naturally occurring oils
from your hands. Antique ivory will also absorb moisture and
dirt. Clean white untreated cotton gloves should be worn while
handling antique ivory.
Don’t use fabric softeners when drying white cotton gloves
used for handling antique ivory. Remnants of fabric softener will
contaminate the gloves, and it could be transferred to your antique
ivory pieces. Wash white cotton gloves used for handling antique
ivory in mild laundry detergent, rinse the gloves well and air-dry
the gloves or dry them in a dryer on a low setting without fabric
softener.
DISCOLORED ANTIQUE IVORY
Ivory deepens in color with age, and
antique ivory has a beautiful patina that gives
antique ivory a lovely and unique
characteristic. If your antique ivory has
darkened or yellowed due to age, don’t try
to lighten it. The color of antique ivory is
often used as an indicator of age, and the
patina protects the ivory. Darkening is a
natural part of the aging process of ivory,
unique beauty of antique ivory.
Victorian antique
ivory carved rose
brooch, vintage
1900.
and it adds to the
DUSTY ANTIQUE IVORY
Even with the best of care, everything eventually becomes
dusty, even items displayed within a case or cabinet. Antique
ivory can be dusted using a soft paintbrush such as a fine-tip
sable hair artist’s brush. A fine-tip brush will enable you to reach
crevices and indentations where dust can gather on antique ivory
pieces.
to professionally clean dirty antique ivory.
Perform the following cleaning methods with the greatest
caution and at your own risk! If your antique ivory pieces
aren’t cracked or dyed, you can clean them with a solution
containing half water and half ethyl alcohol. Dip a clean cotton
swab in the alcohol and water solution, dab off any excess liquid
on a clean rag or paper towel, and gently clean an inconspicuous
area before proceeding to clean the entire piece. If the alcohol
and water solution successfully cleans the dirt from the antique
ivory piece, continue cleaning the entire piece, carefully and
meticulously. Be sure to dry each section of ivory as you clean it
so the water doesn’t soak in.
HYDRATING IVORY
Ivory can become very dry and brittle,
and dry ivory can become cracked and
permanently damaged. Hydrate antique
ivory twice a year by wrapping it in a soft Delicate pierced
white cloth soaked in pure mineral oil. Allow ivory fan.
the antique ivory piece to remain wrapped in a dye-free oiled
cloth for about eight hours. After unwrapping the antique ivory
piece, carefully wipe off any excess mineral oil with another soft
white cloth.
STORING
AND
DISPLAYING ANTIQUE IVORY
Don’t make the mistake of placing antique ivory pieces under
bright lights or in areas of direct sun. The sun can cause bleaching,
and the heat can cause extensive drying and cracking.
Consider monitoring the humidity when storing or displaying
antique ivory pieces. The humidity should be no greater than
seventy-percent, and the temperature should remain moderate
and constant. High humidity can cause damaging mold spots to
form on antique ivory as well as expansion and warping. Since
ivory is extremely porous, this type of damage may be irreparable.
DIRTY ANTIQUE IVORY
What may appear to be dust at first glance could actually be
dirt that has settled firmly upon antique ivory pieces. Dusting
with a paintbrush won’t sufficiently clean antique ivory that is
truly dirty. There are a few methods of cleaning dirty antique
ivory that are gentle, safe and effective. Try one of the following
methods of cleaning your dirty antique ivory
pieces.
It is best to try dry methods of cleaning
dirty antique ivory before using cleaning
methods that involve the use of water or
other liquids. Since ivory is porous, water
or other liquids can cause antique ivory to
Antique Edwardian expand or even crack, so use extreme
carved ivory cigarette caution when cleaning ivory with liquids. If
holder 1890-1910.
ever in doubt, take your dirty ivory pieces
The holder is
b e a u t i f u l l y to an ivory specialist for professional
decorated with cleaning and care. Jewelers who deal in
carved flowers.
antique ivory or conservators may be willing
Top 6 Ways to Test Antiques with a Black Light
1) Detecting Porcelain Repairs
Before buying or selling a nice piece of porcelain, always take
it into a darkened room with either a handheld or key chain
black light to test for repairs. A good repair job might not be
readily visible without assistance but will become obvious under
a black light since glue used in repairs will fluoresce. Modern
paints will glow under the black light as well, so you can also
detect touch-ups, repaints and embellishments with ultraviolet
light.
3) Examining Works of Art
Since modern paint will fluoresce under a black light, you
can also easily inspect paintings for touch-ups and repairs.
Hairline cracks in oil paintings can also become more visible
when examined under ultraviolet light. If you’re a serious art
collector, or want to become one, it’s wise to buy a book specific
to art inspection to learn more about how ultraviolet lights can
be used to test for authenticity and repairs before purchasing a
pricey work of art.
2) Testing for Reproduction Glass
Both green Depression glass and Vaseline glass will glow under
a black light due the uranium oxide content in the glass. American
colorless pressed glass made before 1930 is said to fluoresce
yellow, while reproductions generally do not. Some people report
that American brilliant cut glass also casts a yellow hue under
ultraviolet light, others say it glows pale violet or blue. Given
the discrepancies, make sure to follow up with further research
to ensure cut glass authenticity.
4) Testing Ephemera
Old postcards, books, signs, photos and other paper products
made before the late 1930s rarely glow under a black light.
However, chemical bleaches and dyes used in modern papers
will fluoresce under ultraviolet light. Knowing this helps to detect
forged documents and distinguish reproductions in all types of
ephemera. Before purchasing a rare paper memorabilia,
however, have it examined by an expert who will have knowledge
and tools beyond black light testing to aid in authentication.
Tortoiseshell continued from page 25
uniformly pale translucent, amber-yellow color without any
mottling or streaks. Known as blonde tortoiseshell or yellowbelly, it is the finest and the most expensive part of the animal,
more highly prized than the 24 marginal plates, which, also a
pale amber color, have some brown streaks or staining called
demi-blonde. The carapace rarely exceeds two feet in length.
It and the other plates arrive at the workshop already separated
from the animal. The plates vary in size, the largest being about
16” x 8"and approximately one-eighth of an inch in thickness.
Each horny plate develops annually, a new larger layer over the
existing layers, which creates growth rings, similar to tree rings,
optically giving a rippling or watermark effect. Microscopic
examination reveals small spherical reddish particles. The layers
of shell may be separated fairly easily, enabling the maximum
use to be made of this expensive material. The markings are
clearly defined and lack the fibrous lines seen on horn. The
plates, when separated from the carapace, are of irregular shapes
which need to be flattened by heat and pressure and smoothed
with a rasp, removing all the superficial irregularities. An
important attribute of tortoiseshell is its malleability. When gently
heated by either immersing in hot water or using smokeless
charcoal, it softens and may then be molded and shaped, retaining
the desired form on cooling. Thicker or larger plates can be
obtained by fusing together softened smaller plates of similar
markings and cooling under pressure, thus minimizing wastage.
A superficial film on the horny surfaces softens and liquefies in
wet or dry heat, causing the pieces to unite with great strength
naturally and without the need for adhesives, technically known
as scutes. Temperatures must be carefully controlled; excessively
high temperatures darken or blacken the material, reducing its
value and desirability.
5) Dating Textiles
Many modern fibers like rayon and polyester, including sewing
thread, will fluoresce under a black light. This helps to date
quilts, vintage clothing, stuffed animals, rag dolls, and other
items made using cloth. However, additives in modern laundry
detergents can cause old fabrics to glow under ultraviolet light if
they were cleaned with these products. It’s wise to consider
manufacturing techniques, design, provenance, and materials
used in construction in addition to black light exam results.
6) Authenticating Cast Iron
Many valuable vintage banks, mechanical toys and doorstops
from the early 1900s were made from cast iron. These genuine
articles with original paint are still quite valuable to avid collectors.
Since most modern paints will fluoresce, you can use your black
light to check for reproductions and painted repairs on cast iron
pieces prior to making an expensive mistake. If the paint doesn’t
glow, look for other signs of age and wear to make sure the
piece is really as old as you think it is.
$5 Ticket Brings $250 at
St. Jude Auction
A pedal car that was raffled by the Southwest Chapter at the
2007 PAA Conference and won by Central Chapter member
Scott Wehrly was sold at Wehrly’s annual St. Jude auction
recently. The item raised $250 and was one of the highestpriced items sold.
The auction raised $5,600 this year, bringing Wehrlys’ 4year total to $18,600 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Sprucing Up ‘Heavy Metal’ – Cleaning Cast Iron
According to an online source, here’s one method of cleaning
cast iron:
1. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection while cleaning cast
iron since the methods require using caustic chemicals.
2. Begin by spraying the pan with oven cleaner and putting
it in a plastic bag.
3. After a day or two, take it out of the bag and scrub it
down with a brass brush.
4. If all the grease doesn’t loosen up right away, repeat the
process, concentrating cleaner on stubborn spots.
Executive Officers continued from page 7
Estate Broker and Appraiser of real and personal property
appraisals since 1986.
In another life back in the 1970’s, he worked as a field auditor
for the PA Department of Revenue, Bureau of Field Audits,
including sales tax, liquid fuels tax, cigarette tax, and beverage
tax.
Bob received a BS in Business Administration (Accounting)
from West Virginia University. Courses included 36 semester
hours of accounting, 30 hours of economics, and other courses
in business law, marketing, management, insurance, and real
estate. He received his Certificate of Proficiency from HACC
(Auctioneering) in 1987.
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ALL POINTS SOUND CO.
951 So. 15th Ave., Lebanon, PA 17042
(717) 270-4555
CHANGEABLE LETTER SIGNS FOR SALE
5.
6.
7.
8.
If you have several dirty items, soak them in a solution
of one and a half gallons of water to one can of lye mixed
in a plastic container.
Allow them to soak for about five days, then remove the
pieces and use the same brass brush method to scrub
them clean.
Removing mild rust should be done with a fine wire wheel
on an electric drill.
Crusted rust can be dissolved by soaking the piece in a
50% solution of white vinegar and water for a few hours.
‘You Tube, Brutus?’
Friends:
It’s so hard to get good help these days. Then when something
goes wrong, you sit down with the responsible party (or
irresponsible, as the case may be) and try to sort things out in a
positive, professional manner.
“How did the wrong starting time for the auction end up in
the subject field of yesterday’s e-mail?” you inquire politely.
“Pilot error” your mail managing software suggests, cyber
digits aimlessly fingering its gigabytes.
“How did two different versions of the text, one with the
correct starting time and one that omitted the starting time
completely, get entered into the system?”
“Glitch,” comes the petulant reply.
“I’ve noticed that the entire system is rather slow lately. Any
thoughts?”
“Insufficient memory.”
“I’m not following you.”
“Size matters.”
“I see. By the way, I’ve noticed that you and Adobe Reader
seem to be spending a lot of time together these days.”
“9.0.”
“We do have a policy regarding fraternization.”
“Right.”
Do you ever speak in complex sentences?”
“Nope.”
“Let’s try to be more mindful of our obligations in the future.
Evaluations are coming up in April.”
“Whatever,” comes the final reply before the software slips
back to its desktop. You stare off into cyberspace, remembering
the days when print promotion sufficed, and every nook and
cranny of Pennsylvania was filled with wonderful antiques and
collectibles that hadn’t been hauled to the “Antiques Roadshow”
to ‘idol’ in queue, a megastar wannabe, preening for the judges
in hopes of imminent discovery.
Whatever happened to Ruth Webb Lee?
Where have you gone, Seymour B. Wyler?
“Wallace, Wallace. Wherefore art thou, Wallace?”
Is nutting sacred?
-another submission from our anonymous,
mentally adroit PAA member
Brain Power
GICLEE PRINTING
The Definition: Giclee (zhee-klay) The French word “giclée” is a feminine
noun that means a spray or a spurt of
liquid. The word may have been derived
from the French verb “gicler” meaning
“to squirt.”
The Term: The term “giclee print”
connotes an elevation in printmaking
technology. Images are generated from
high resolution digital scans and printed
with archival quality inks onto various
substrates including canvas, fine art, and
photo-base paper. The giclee printing
process provides better color accuracy than
other means of reproduction.
The Process: Giclee prints are created
typically using professional 8-Color to 12Color ink-jet printers. Among the
manufacturers of these printers are
vanguards such as Epson, MacDermid
Colorspan, & Hewlett-Packard. These
modern technology printers are capable
of producing incredibly detailed prints for
both the fine art and photographic
markets. Giclee prints are sometimes
mistakenly referred to as Iris prints, which
are 4-Color ink-jet prints from a printer
pioneered in the late 1970s by Iris
Graphics.
The Advantages: Giclee prints are
advantageous to artists who do not find it
feasible to mass produce their work, but
want to reproduce their art as needed, or
on-demand. Once an image is digitally
archived, additional reproductions can be
made with minimal effort and reasonable
cost. The prohibitive up-front cost of mass
production for an edition is eliminated.
Archived files will not deteriorate in quality
as negatives and film inherently do.
Another tremendous advantage of giclee
printing is that digital images can be
reproduced to almost any size and onto
various media, giving the artist the ability
to customize prints for a specific client.
The Quality: The quality of the giclee
print rivals traditional silver-halide and
gelatin printing processes and is commonly
found in museums, art galleries, and
photographic galleries.
The Market: Numerous examples of
giclee prints can be found in New York
City at the Metropolitan Museum, the
Museum of Modern Art, and the Chelsea
Galleries. Recent auctions of giclee prints
have fetched $10,800 for Annie Leibovitz,
$9,600 for Chuck Close, and $22,800 for
Wolfgang Tillmans.
LEGISLATIVE / PAC
Legislation on the Radar Screen
Legislative Update – March 2007
Jay Layman & Mike O’Rourke
Capital Associates, Inc.
Two separate bills have been introduced
that will directly affect auctioneers and the
auctioneering industry, both positively and
negatively, if enacted into law.
THE GOOD NEWS
House Bill 69 would simplify
preparations an auctioneer must make
with respect to the selling of mounted
game. The bill amends Title 34 (Game)
to define “mounted specimen” and
includes a provision that would allow
licensed auctioneers to sell mounted game
without a permit from the Pennsylvania
Game Commission.
House Bill 69 was introduced by Rep.
Mark Keller (R-Perry), a licensed
auctioneer and member of the PAA, and
was referred to the House Game and
Fisheries Committee.
THE BAD NEWS
House Bill 22 would significantly
complicate the sale of handguns at an
NATIONAL AUCTIONEERS ASSOCIATION
2007 AUCTION ACTION ON
CAPITOL HILL LOBBY DAY
MAY 22-23, 2007
HAMILTON CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL - WASHINGTON , DC
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The 110th Congress has begun work with many new members on Capitol Hill. As a
result of so many new members being elected, as well as wanting to establish a larger
presence on Capitol Hill, the NAA will host the first annual Auction Action on Capitol
Hill Lobby Day. You have the opportunity to listen to speakers, participate in advocacy
training and meet with your members of Congress.
PURPOSE
• Establish a presence on Capitol Hill by building relationships with Members
of Congress and providing a resource for them to turn to when considering
legislation that impacts the auction industry;
• Educate members of Congress about the auction industry and the impact it
has on the U.S. economy, thus stressing the importance of the auction method
of marketing;
• Allow NAA members to become familiar with the legislative system and learn
how they can make an impact on the outcomes of legislation.
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE
Any NAA member can attend this event. All Auction Action Network (AAN) Leaders
are highly encouraged to attend this event. PAA Member and PAC Chairperson Bill
Howze of Reading will attend the lobby day on behalf of the Pennsylvania Auctioneers
Association.
COST ASSOCIATED
WITH
PARTICIPATING
There is no cost associated with registering for this event. The NAA will be hosting
an evening reception on May 22 and will host a breakfast on May 23. All other expenses
are your responsibility, including airfare, ground transportation and hotel.
For further information, contact Erica R. Brown at [email protected].
auction. The bill amends Title 18 (Crimes
& Offenses) by adding that no person may
purchase, sell, or “cause to be sold to a
person in PA” more than one handgun
within a 30-day period. A violation of this
section would result in a $300.
The bill further requires that a seller of
a handgun must notify each prospective
purchaser of the 30-day limit and of its
subsequent penalties. In addition, a seller
is required to request that the Pennsylvania
State Police conduct a handgun purchase
history check on a prospective purchaser.
House Bill 22 was introduced by Rep.
John Meyers (D-Philadelphia), a
Philadelphia legislator who is concerned
with staggering crime and homicide rates
that began in February 2006, just days
prior to Governor Rendell’s annual budget
address and have continued to the present.
During Governor Rendell’s budget
proposal presentation in February 2007
before the Pennsylvania General Assembly,
he proposed a number of gun control
measures, particularly: making possession
of a stolen gun a felony; requiring police
notification whenever a gun is lost or
stolen; allowing local communities to
restrict the distribution and use of
handguns; and limiting gun purchases to
one per month.
With the backing of the Administration,
not to mention growing public support
on both the state and national levels, there
is little doubt that House Bill 22 and similar
gun control measures will receive further
attention during this legislative session.
STATE AUCTIONEERS BOARD
APPOINTMENT UPDATE
There are currently no nominations
pending to the State Board of Auctioneers.
However, there are several vacancies that
PAA is monitoring closely to assure that
qualified nominees are appointed by
Governor Rendell. Capital Associates is
conducting an assessment on the status of
these board vacancies and the anticipated
process/timeline for appointments to the
board. A report will be sent to PAA
President Sandy Brittingham.
Stay tuned for further information on
this important matter to the profession.
NAA NEWS
INVESTING IN OUR
FUTURE
Dear Friends:
As most of you know, the National Auctioneers Association and
its Foundation launched “Investing in our Future,” a comprehensive
funding initiative that will positively affect all auctioneers by funding
relevant research, a national public awareness campaign, the
development of a virtual museum and improvements to the Hall of
History through necessary renovations. Investing in our Future
will generate the resources to bring these critical programs and
services to auctioneers across the country.
As part of the national program, NAF is challenging all state
associations to join the drive at a meaningful level. Over the
next five years, the Foundation is asking each state association
to pledge $5,000 per year or $25,000. For some, this will be
too little; others may consider this just right. I also know that
some of you may be shocked at this challenge; however, look
deeper at what each state will receive in return for their support.
States that pledge $5,000 per year will receive:
• Critical state-based research will be delivered four times
per year throughout the five-year pledge period delivering
state specific data, useful in identifying emerging trends
for use in your members’ marketing and promotional
activities. If states attempted to compile this information
independently, each brief could run as high
as $25,000. Pledging your support will bring
twenty (20) individually tailored reports to
your state over the next five years, and into
the future. Also, it does require a greater effort
and participation level by the states in
completing the quarterly and annual survey.
• Each state will receive important information on the national
public awareness campaign to share with state association
members who can capitalize on strategic activities of the
program. By simultaneously timing your promotions with
the awareness campaign, members can exponentially impact
their market penetration.
• A special section for your state in the National Auctioneers
Virtual Museum and modifications to the Hall of History
will provide a centralized repository to display historical
state information and memorabilia, maintained by the
foundation in perpetuity. This will ensure that the
preservation of your state’s history will remain protected
and showcased for all to view.
Please think of your pledge not as a gift, but rather an
investment in your future and a means of increasing your state
association’s value to its membership. As NAA President and a
personal donor, it is my hope that you will give this request the
consideration it warrants and vote to join me in this worthwhile
investment in the auction profession.
William L. Sheridan, CAI, AARE, GPPA
NAA President
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Five Myths About Worker’s Compensation
When an individual is injured in the course of his or her
employment, worker’s compensation pays for medical treatment,
rehabilitation, and lost wages. Pennsylvania law holds employers
liable for compensation for personal injury without regard for
the employee’s negligence.
Here are five myths about worker’s compensation:
household goods at some of my auctions. At one of the
auctions, he tripped over an ottoman and damaged the
ligaments and cartilage in his knee. He’s had several
operations to fix his knee but he couldn’t return to work
when the moving company called him back. He’s been
off work for over two years now.
Myth #1: I don’t have any employees
Small business owners may think that the son or daughter
who works summers or the brother-in-law who needs to pick
up some extra money on the weekends aren’t really employees.
However, for worker’s compensation purposes, an employee is
any individual who works at the direction of the business owner.
Even volunteer labor must be compensated for injuries sustained
on the job.
My son and his college roommate were home on break
with nothing to do. I asked them to help me move some
auction items from the back of a customer’s pick-up.
The roommate sprained his ankle stepping off the back
of the truck. It was nothing serious. But the bill for xrays, some pain medication and an ice pack in the
emergency room was more than I paid for room and
board in my first semester of college.
Myth #4: A worker’s compensation policy will reveal to the
IRS that I have people who work for me from time to time.
Ordinarily, there is no need for the Internal Revenue Service
to know whether you have a worker’s compensation insurance
policy.
In the event of an audit, the existence of a policy might prompt
the auditor to ask questions about your payroll; however, it is
more likely that other factors in your business and financial picture
will prompt those questions.
I’ve heard the horror stories. Expensive medical care.
Long recuperations. Dozens of doctor’s appointments.
Rehab. People may not have lost their businesses and
livelihoods over an accident or injury, but the time and
expense involved getting out from under it was very costly.
Myth #2: The people who work for me have their own
insurance
This myth is especially misleading because it may be partly
true: individuals often do have their own medical insurance.
However, a business owner might think his workers—from
volunteers to hired subcontractors—are insured when, in reality,
they aren’t.
Even if a worker has other insurance, when an injury occurs
on the job, it’s worker’s compensation that pays the bills first.
My sister-in-law has a good accounting job with great
benefits, which is fortunate because she has some problems
with her back. A few months ago, I hired her as a cashier
for one of my auctions. Sitting all day on a folding chair
caused her back problems to flare up. She was off work
for almost two weeks while she got physical therapy.
Myth #3: My general liability policy will cover injuries on
the job
A general liability policy covers accidents or injuries involving
your customers. However, state law requires you to have worker’s
compensation coverage to protect the individuals working under
your direction.
Both types of insurance protect you, the employer, from huge
out-of-pocket costs for things like medical care, therapy,
prescription drugs, and time away from work. A single workrelated injury, if severe or debilitating enough, can mean thousands
of dollars worth of medical bills payable over many years.
A neighbor of mine was laid off temporarily from his job
with a moving and storage company. While he was out
of work, I offered him a job moving furniture and
Myth #5: Worker’s compensation insurance is an expensive,
specialized type of insurance.
The cost of worker’s compensation insurance is based on
your estimated annual payroll. The larger your estimated annual
payroll, the higher the cost of the policy. If you have no payroll
(friends or family volunteer their time) you will pay a minimum
charge of about $500 per year. This allows you to be able to
meet the state’s requirement for worker’s compensation coverage
and enjoy the peace of mind this protection brings.
Of course, your insurer will want to see a copy of your standard
contract and understand any special circumstances that apply to
your business.
E. R. Munro and Company has been protecting small businesses since
1885. From commercial liability policies for one-person operations to
complete insurance programs for companies including property, automobiles
and workers’ compensation for employees, call E. R. Munro and Company
toll-free at 866-313-0429 and ask for Greg Magnus at Ext. 157.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Item misspellings – how spelling may
make or break an online auction
INCORRECT SPELLING CAN SPELL DOOM FOR A SELLER AND A BARGAIN FOR
A BUYER.
Do you remember learning in grade school the importance of correct spelling? Even
with spell check and word processors, you must be careful to check your spelling.
Correct spelling is critical in school, business, medical, and any professional field.
Did you ever think that spelling could affect your online auctions? Spelling makes
huge differences in online shopping and auctions. As a seller, if your item is misspelled
you will get less visitors and therefore lower bids on your items. On the other hand,
misspelled items will yield the best buys for buyers.
Here’s why: Unlike at a physical retail store or any shopping that’s not done online,
consumers can recognize products by their labels, product placement, brand images,
logos, by asking for it by name, etc. When it comes to online auction sites, however,
people can only find your item by searching for it by name, or less often by just browsing
a particular category and “running” into it. When searching by name, if your listing is
misspelled by just one letter, someone who searches for it by its correct name has less of
a chance of seeing your item.
For example, let’s say you were selling some diamond jewelry and you listed it as
‘dimond’ jewelry. A search for dimond will yield information about a library, a shopping
mall and a manufacturer of steel roofs in New Zealand!
Likewise, if you have a nice Cartier watch and list it as a ‘Carter’ watch, folks will find
Jimmy Carter and children’s clothing.
One of the best conveniences of online auction selling is that potential buyers are
searching online because they want to buy … you don’t have to find them because
they’re searching for you. If you’ve misspelled your item, you hurt your sale so much
because it’s not easy for potential buyers to find you. Misspellings can spell doom for a
seller and yield great buys for a smart buyer. There will be the occasional occurrence
when both buyer and seller list and search under an incorrect name. If getting top dollar
for your item is your goal, then you want as many people as possible seeing your item
and correct spelling is critical.
Oh, and by the way, let’s pay attention to accurate spelling in everything related to our
auction advertising, marketing and promotion. It’s just good business cents, er, sense.
English has many unusual, inconsistent and just plain weird words that can trip us up.
Here is a list of some common misspellings and their correct counterparts:
Wrong
equiptment
collectable
minature
momento
alright
seperate
recieve
recomend
cemetary
definately
ocassion
excede
alot
existance
independant
Right
equipment
collectible
miniature
memento
all right
separate
receive
recommend
cemetery
definitely
occasion
exceed
a lot
existence
independent
Delegating for
Results
This is an extremely important issue for
auction company owners for many
reasons - least of all being the fact that
you cannot do everything on your own
nor can you create a workplace within
which people can maximize their
contribution unless they are given the
opportunity.
The steps outlined below will help you
achieve the results you are seeking in your
auction business through delegation:
1. Clearly define the job you need
done and pay particular attention
to the results you expect. Avoid at
all costs describing the process to
be used - leave that up to the
employee.
2. Give enough authority to the
employee to allow him to
accomplish the task he has been
asked to complete. Asking an
employee to take on a job and then
not giving her the authority to
complete it is wrong. If you have
some reservations or concerns
about the person’s ability, then
break the job down into smaller
parts, adding on the next piece as
they proceed.
3. Monitor the work progress, but
don’t take control or hover. Give
your employee plenty of room and
the freedom to use their skills and
learn as they go.
4. Provide feedback along the way.
Ask how things are going, then give
people the chance to express
themselves. When they feel their
opinion counts, it is a lot easier for
you to suggest and them to accept
adjustments.
5. And finally, reward and recognize
both the effort and the results
achieved.
By following these steps, you should
be able to not only achieve the results you
are seeking, but to also build a healthy,
dedicated employee willing to take on
much more responsibility in growing your
auction business.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Is the Back of Your Business Card Blank?
A big business mistake many people make is spending a lot of
time and effort on a new business card and not utilizing the space
on the back. Look at that stack of cards in your drawer with the
rubber band around them. Most are printed one side only.
Marketing space gone to waste.
You can use the back of your card to expand and reaffirm your
selling sentence (which should be prominent on the front of your
card). Business cards with nothing on the back are wasted
opportunities to sell.
You can use the back of your card to explain the high points of
your business, quote happy customers or list the services you
offer.
If your company slogan (Selling Sentence) is “The Power of
Auctions,” use the space on the back to list what sets auctions
apart from other selling methods. Another solid impression about
you and your business.
Some folks put calendars on the back of their cards. Might be
Stand Out from All the
Rest … Write a Business
Thank-You Note
The point of this article is that a personal ‘thank you’ goes a
long way to making a good impression and helping people feel
better.
Personally and in business, develop the thank you habit.
While it is generally expected to send a written thank-you for
gifts and special favors, it is also appropriate to send one for
employment interviews and new business contacts. However, the
most powerful thank-you note is the one that’s unexpected.
Here are some ‘thank you’ points to consider
1. You should hand write it. With the exception below, don’t
use your computer to print it or the address label, and
please don’t use email for this most personal communication.
2. If you have that nifty computer font that was made from
your own handwriting, you could slip the card in your printer.
Be sure the font really looks like the way you write. Didn’t
know about this? There are several companies that do it here is a link as an example only: http://www.theory.org/
~strthrwr/fonts/custom
3. You can use plain paper, or you can use a thank you card.
Some folks have personalized cards created, some buy them
at the stationery store. You can use a fold over card, a
single hard card in an envelope or a postcard. It’s not the
messenger, it’s the message.
4. Be brief. All you are saying is, ‘Thank you.’ And say it only
once.
5. No need to gush, be personal, say thank you and why.
6. Be sincere.
When you send a thank you note, it will have a great impact …
because no one else does it!
handy but doesn’t accomplish much in selling your services. Think
billboards. You wouldn’t put a calendar on your billboard. Don’t
put it on your tiny billboard.
There’s no need to fill the back of your business card edge to
edge. Judicious use of white space front and back is the mark of
a professional. Just like the aisles in high-end stores are wider
than ones at the Everything for a Dollar place.
Be sure your name is on the back somewhere. The back is an
ad for you, a mobile marketing piece. Without your name, the
contract may be lost. Don’t repeat anything else from the front,
but be sure your name is on both sides.
What you put on the back does not have to be in color. This
does two things ... saves money on the printing and separates the
front from the back, because the front has color (and is probably
glossy).
Look at the collection of cards other people have given you.
Few utilize the back for anything, let alone planned marketing.
You stand out from the crowd when your business card is a
professional marketing piece, both sides.
Keeping employees
motivated when the
auction schedule heats up
Every now and then, especially at certain times of the year,
things just heat up due to a crowded auction schedule, a particularly
difficult client or the loss, temporary or permanent, of auction
company employees. The pace quickens…and there is no sign of
it letting up. People feel extremely pressured to keep up...and
over time, frustrations grow.
Keeping people motivated and on board during times like this
can be hard, but it can be done. By focusing on the following
areas you should be able to keep employees engaged:
• Keep your staff informed - provide information and explain
to them what is happening and when it’s likely to ease off a
bit.
• Acknowledge the situation with your employees and take
steps to improve it if possible.
• Recognize the effort people are making - privately and publicly
and offer small rewards. (It is amazing what a note of thanks
and a plate of cookies or pizza for lunch communicate.)
• Ask your employees what they need from you to make the
situation better - and take action on the suggestions. If you
can’t act on a suggestion make sure you help them
understand why.
• Identify and drop low priority work.
Remember, in cases like this your actions will be watched and
seen. By being proactive, you can lay the foundation for a very
healthy work environment when work becomes overwhelming
and nerves get frazzled.
PAA IN THE NEWS
Can you sell a fire truck?
-contributed by Sherrie Higinbotham-Butchko, Southwest Chapter
And so it began May of 2005. Our answer to the attorney
handling the
estate was, “Yes; we’re professional Pennsylvania auctioneers.
We can do it.” Little did we know what an unforgettable project
this would be.
The attorney then asked if we could do an appraisal for an
estate that had vehicles that were vintage, classic and antique to
include cars, trucks, equipment and fire trucks. Our response
again was, “Yes.” How many and when, of course thinking a
small number (less than 100). To everyone’s surprise, two months
later and after an exhausting inventory, over 763 vehicles were
in the estate which
included over 135 fire
trucks alone.
The deceased had
made plans and was well
on his way in establishing
a fire truck museum.
Imagine the surprise in
opening building after
building of fire trucks
parked bumper-to-bumper and door-to-door. There was every
type of fire truck from pumpers to ladders to rescue vehicles
from the 1920’s to the 1970’s. Names we had never heard of
before … Seagrave, Howe, Hahn, American LaFrance, Bean,
Supthen, Federal, Ward LaFrance, and many more. The
challenge was staggering and very exciting.
The hardest part was the inventory, makes, models,
manufacturers, type, equipment, condition, location, titles, bills
of sale, certificates of origin. What an education, but lots of fun.
Then the word began to get out, slowly at first, “A Fire Truck”
auction and “A Vintage Car” auction.
Then the advertising began. Auctionzip.com, Antique Week,
Farm & Dairy, fireman’s publications, both local and nationwide
newspapers (USA Today), special interest Internet chat boards.
Everyone began to take notice. The collector’s community took
notice and the interest grew. Help came from many newly found
friends and collectors and the secret was out. The first of two
sales was organized and prepared.
Sale 1: Consisted of 141 vintage parts cars stored “in” and
around an obsolete USX
mine training complex in
Greene County in
Southwestern PA. Yes, I
said in. The conditions
were so unsafe that a
decision was made to limit
this sale to a sealed bid
sale. The entire lot of
complete and partially
dismantled vehicles was
offered in one lot to a
limited clientele that had
the ability to remove and
clean up after themselves.
DER and EPA concerns
were very important.
Inspections
by
appointment
were
arranged.
Airtight
contracts were explained. Good solid bids were received. A
contract was awarded and the sale came to a close. So far
everything is going great.
Sale 2: This sale was conducted near Brownsville, PA
(Washington County) on March 16th, 2006, consisting of 50
pieces of obsolete equipment including trucks, cars, loaders,
grinders, dozers, and three cranes all packed in tight at an
abandoned mine facility. Again, these items were offered to a
limited clientele because this site was unsafe for the general public
to be invited. Most equipment and vehicles were dead and would
never move under their own power so this was again a specialty
sale. Advertising was done and a sealed bid sale conducted and
vehicles dispersed to
several different bidders.
Again few if any
problems, and things went
well. Everything was
removed within 30 days.
Sale 3: March/April
2006. This was the first of
two (2) fire truck sales
which
included
approximately 65 fire
trucks, heavy equipment vehicles and fire equipment (ladders,
hoses, reels, pikes, accessories). This sealed bid sale was scheduled
and extensively advertised locally and to the fire truck community.
The biggest problem was that the majority of the trucks were
parked bumper-to-bumper, door-to-door. A very important part
of the terms and conditions of this sale was making the buyers
understand the delayed removal schedule. Because very few of
the trucks had been started in years all trucks were towed from
the building. We have to move the first row to move the second
row to move the third row and so on. But within thirty days all
trucks were gone and we had one large 240 x 100 warehouse
empty and ready for our first vintage car sale.
Sale 4: Memorial Day May 2006. The first vintage car and
truck sale is ready. The warehouse and parking lot was lined
with 110 vintage vehicles that everyone dreams of owning. There
were Model A’s. Model T’s, 1918 Buick Runabout, Classic
Lincolns (30’s, 40’s, 50’s), Studebakers, vintage pick-ups, 1911
PAA IN THE NEWS
Sears car, convertibles of
all makes and years,
unusual Army jeep,
English taxi Cab, vintage
and classic kit cars. We at
our expense had them
cleaned, polished and
started as many as
possible.
The sale was scheduled
for Memorial Day and a very large crowd was expected and
prepared for. A full time security company was contracted to
control the crowd, park cars, and direct traffic for three days (2
preview days and sale day). We expected 500-700 people on
sale day, and we got 1000+ on Monday for 110 vehicles. To
accommodate such a large crowd, we constructed a large stage
in one of the warehouse garage doors to sell the outside cars
and then turn around to sell the cars housed inside the warehouse.
The weather was picture perfect for sale day. Three auctioneers,
Ray Butchko, Sherrie Higinbotham-Butchko, and Don
Chesney (Don Chesney Auctioneering) sold 110 vehicles in 3
hours 50 minutes or one vehicle approximately every two minutes.
The sale site was cleared within 7 days.
Now we encountered our first big problem. We had 2 more
sales scheduled with 200+ cars located in Dunbar, PA, for August
2006 and 65 more fire trucks located in Denbo, PA, for
September 2006. After conducting four previous sales, you would
think this would be an easy task.
EXCEPT FOR THE FIRE
and used cars by our original
auction contract ending date
of October 1, 2006.
Sale 6: This sale was
scheduled for Sept 12 and
included 210 vintage, classic
and used cars. Because of
unforeseen problems with
this last sale (such as the fire
and clearing of the parking lot delays), this sale had to be more
extensively advertised in newspapers, radio and direct mailers to
attract potential buyers. The weather as in all previous sales was
perfect. Over 600 buyers registered, and we estimated over 800
people were present at the sale. The first vehicle, a 1967 Nova,
went up for bid at exactly 10 AM. Four hours later, three
exhausted auctioneers, Sherrie, Ray and Don, sold the last
available vehicle in the estate with a strong crowd remaining.
Because of good prior planning and excellent registration, not
one bad or insufficient funds check was received. One person
bid on the wrong vehicle, but the vehicle was later offered and
sold to the back-up bidder. We personally stayed on site for the
next week with the security company to insure that all vehicles
were safely removed.
Because the executor of the estate had the right at time of
sale to accept or reject all bids, I am happy to say of all the
vehicles offered for sale (641), there were only 40 no-sale vehicles,
none of which were top end. Many of these were sold after the
sale when a fair value was agreed upon with the high bidder.
The contract ended in October 2006 with a meeting with the
executor and his attorney. All proceeds were delivered, paperwork
completed and keys returned.
What a project to remember. WHAT’S NEXT?
The sale site for the August vintage car sale located in Dunbar,
an old wooden shopping center owned by the executor, burned
to the ground. Luckily, the warehouses containing the remaining
200 vintage cars were spared, but the parking lot had piles of
burned rubble and couldn’t be cleaned up until the fire marshal
completed his investigation. Now is the
time to be creative. We switched sales 5
& 6 so our next sale is the remaining 65
fire trucks.
Sale 5: 65 vintage fire trucks and
related equipment. The sale was prepared
and advertised for August 5, another
picture perfect auction day. This sale was
a walk-through that took 3 hours.
Removal time was 2 weeks to clear and
Sign up a new member, receive an Official PAA Ball Cap.
because most vehicles were not road safe,
Sign up two new members and receive an Official PAA Cap
they had to be hauled or towed out.
and Personalized Vest.
During this time, the sale location in
Please contact Bill Anderson Sr. for more information.
Dunbar was cleared by the fire marshal,
[email protected] 724-327-3344
and the rubble was removed and the site
Offer good for sponsors of new members from
turned over for sale use.
We now had less than 30 days to
April 1, 2007 to May 30, 2007
organize and sell the 200+ vintage, classic
“Spring Out & Join In “
PAA 2007 SPRING
New Membership Drive
Jeanie M. Crowl, Administrator
Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association
P.O. Box 299, Elysburg, PA 17824
800.577.6801
[email protected]
Celebrate National Auctioneer Month in April . . .
send a press release, arrange an interview, sponsor an open house,
or speak to a community group about the Auction Method of Marketing.

continued from page 5 - Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association

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The Largest and Finest Magic Auction and Flea Market In Northern

Tentative Program Schedule - Nebraska Auctioneers Association

public auctions public auctions stoner`s auction

PUBLIC AUCTIONS PUBLIC AUCTIONS

PUBLIC AUCTIONS PUBLIC AUCTIONS