Photo by John Cross
Rob Winter, co-owner of Antique Warehouse in Mankato, said farm auctions and estate sales can be gold mines for those searching for vintage or antique treasures, like this large wardrobe.
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Auctions & Estate Sales
ie safes, Mission furniture, fiesta ware, jewelry, fine china, barn wood, old tackle, beer signs and jukeboxes — you name it and chances are Rob Winter, co-owner of Antique Warehouse in Mankato, has bought it at an auction or estate sale. Odds are also good he resold it for a profit. “Old farm auctions in southern Minnesota are the best ones to go to. There are hidden treasures,” said Winter. “Condition and rarity are what hold the value in collectibles.” Auction homework Auction-goers look to the weekly Mankato “Home Magazine” for auction listings that include items for sale and the auctioneer’s website. “I go to the websites, look at pictures to see what the stuff looks like,” Winter said. “If you can find it on eBay, then you know what they’re selling it for.” Winter has also learned little tips like running his hand around the top of glassware to feel for a chip that you cannot see. He also brings a magnet to test silver and gold. If it’s magnetic, the metal contains iron, tin or steel, which is junk to collectors.
Bidding When you get to auction, you’ll sign in and receive a number. When the auctioneer introduces an item, he will start at the estimated value and then drop the price until someone makes a bid. “Nobody likes to be the first bidder,” said Winter. “If it sits there until it’s dirt cheap, I’ll throw a bid in.” Dollar boxes At most auctions, boxes of random stuff are auctioned for one dollar. The boxes are treasure hunts for bidders who don’t know the contents. Winter’s record is 35 dollar boxes in one auction. Kara Richardson, a glassware collector, visits Antique Warehouse to browse and sell. Richardson once bought a dollar box at auction and discovered a Mickey Mantle baseball card worth $30. “They’re fun, because you don’t know what’s inside,” said Richardson of Mankato.
MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2013 • 25