Reminder: Railroad Memories auction ends Friday
Having just entered my bids in Railroad Memories’ auction no. 76, which I wrote about on June 7 (“Trainspotters: Railroad Memories auction leaves the station on Friday, June 18”), I thought I’d remind my fellow railroad enthusiasts that a specialized auction like this is the ideal way to build a collection or get a unique gift for the collector in your life.
Why?
When you cruise antique malls and flea markets – not to mention the world’s biggest flea market, eBay – unless you are Johnny-on-the-spot, you are either picking through someone else’s rejects or competing against a slew of other people in search of the same thing you are. What’s more, you’ll spend a good long time picking through lots of junk to find anything good.
An auction like Railroad Memories’ not only features choice stuff, but there will be fewer bidders to go up against – and they’ll mostly be railroadiana collectors like yourself.
What’s more, in a Railroad Memories auction, you e-mail your bids using a simple online sheet, or you can fax or call in your bids: It’s not only relatively low-tech but refreshingly old-fashioned. This would seem to discourage the bidding wars that other auction houses foment through online live bidding and that many folks – myself included – truly hate: You have to fight the urge to overbid in the heat of the moment, and may even regret it when you actually win.
In my opinion, that takes a lot of the fun out of collecting.
By contrast, in a collecting field where steam power is romanticized, a Railroad Memories auction is, ironically, low-pressure. “Bidders may call to find out the current high bid only after they have placed their bids,” their Web site indicates. Among the other terms of their auction: “Highest winning bidder will be awarded the lot for 10% above the 2nd highest bid. EX: Winning bid is $50, second highest bid is $30. Winning bidder pays $33 for the lot. If the spread between the two top bids is less than 10% the winning bidder pays his full amount bid. If only one bid is received on any one lot the winning bidder pays the minimum bid only. We encourage you to bid the most you are willing to pay, this saves time and usually is the most successful.”
That last sentence is key: To me, “the most you are willing to pay” means you give it your best shot and then chill out. As I mentioned, I’ve submitted my best bids; now I’ll just wait to see what happens. Maybe they’re already too low, or maybe someone will go higher before the auction ends. But it’s strangely calming not to receive e-mails with “YOU HAVE BEEN OUTBID” in the subject box, or to feel compelled to stay up late to snipe the last highest bidder.
Anyway, as I wrote in the June 7 post, this auction also has lots of wonderful stuff for people who DON’T collect railroad memorabilia specifically: like collectors of glassware, tableware, silver, advertising, ceramics, tools and hardware, stock certificates and ephemera. (All you family genealogists: If you have railroad men among your ancestors, this auction’s for you too!) It may be too late to receive a catalog in time for the auction, but it’s a beauty, and great resource material, so consider subscribing (which will save you the 10 percent buyer’s premium if you win in an auction).
Meanwhile, Railroad Memories owner Susan Knous mentioned a few “stars” this time: “A Denver & Rio Grande brass top bell bottom lantern (lot 404) with clear cast globe – real treasure in great condition for this 1880s-era lantern: Not many of these have survived, so they are always desirable,” she explained. “We are also proud to be offering a St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba brass top bell-bottom lantern (lot 420), also with a clear cast globe: One of only a handful are known in collections today, so this one will be interesting to watch. Great Northern fans will find a Great Northern Express call card sign (lot 134), beautiful medallion silver serving pieces, porcelain signs and more.”
The auction closes on Fri., June 18, at 5 p.m. Mountain Time. Visit www.RailroadMemories.com to view the lots and register to bid.
Images provided courtesy of Railroad Memories.
Related posts:
- All aboard! Railroad Memories auction ends Fri., Nov. 6
- ‘Travel by train’ this Father’s Day: Railroad Memories auction ends Fri., May 13
- We’re almost there! Railroad Memories auction ends Fri., Aug. 26
- Trainspotters: Railroad Memories auction leaves the station on Fri., June 18!
- Collector alert: Railroad Memories auction ends Fri., Oct. 8
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