Two weeks ago I went to the local weeknight auction. The weeknight auctions are junkier than the monthly Saturday auctions -- less coins and art, more paper and tin.
Although the weeknight auction is more my speed, I am still not crazy about the whole auction thing. Kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth, even if I win the bidding.
Sometimes ESPECIALLY if I win the bidding. I always think “Why in the world did I bid on that?” even if I am only bidding my usual five dollars.
And, unlike a yard or estate sale, where if I see it first and can get my hands on it first, it's MINE. Not mine-if-I-bid-more-on-it-than-you, just mine.
I've discussed it before, here and here. No need to revisit.
Although, of course, being junk-desperate, I revisited.
And this is what I came home with.
First up: this poor old violin. I didn't get a good look at it prior to the bidding, and didn't realize just how terrible its condition was. No strings, piece broken on the bottom, only two pegs on the handle, and something rattling around inside.
I paid $5, and got mocked by the auctioneer for buying it. Geez. Like I need to go to an auction house to get made fun of. Maybe someone would want it for an altered art project or something. Trying to think creatively here.
Then this hat box, full of hats I know nothing about and without a mannequin head on which to position them for Etsy photographs.
I really don't know what I was thinking.
I think this soft pink velevet-y sequined one distracted me.
There were two of these Harper's magazines from the late 1800s. Again, more paper ephemera I have quite a stash of and no idea what to do with.
Sell as is? Sell just the illustrations?
I still plan on eventually listing all this stuff, so we'll see what happens.
Because that broken violin? I researched it on Etsy (there was actually one listed that was broken into three separate pieces!), priced it accordingly, and sold it in less than a week for $35.
Bazinga, Mr. Auction Man!
