Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-08-23
AUCTION STORIES
Unexpected Prizes That Have
Been Won by Bidders.
A GREAT BARGAIN in EGGS.
How Two Specimens OF tho Great AUX
Species Were Bought For 50 and
Sold For S2.0oo--An Old Picture That
Had Valuable LINING.


Had a Valuable Lining.
"Of course have met with good
many interesting experiences during
my career as an auctioneer." relates
Henry Stevens In n London magazine,
but the most striking OF them all oc-
Cured. think. in connection with
great auk's egg.
Some years ago n young fellow rode
over to an obscure furniture sale 1t
the country village in the hope OF Sc
curing bargain TO help in furnishing
a home I'm view OF his intended mar
riage. And bargain he did get,
though not Of the kind he originally
thought Of.
"One or the lots put up for sale was
basketful OF shells. eggs and other
ornaments which had attracted the at
tention OF an old lady who happened to
be present. Just rs they We're on the
point OF being knocked down to her
the young man was struck by the ap-
pearance OF two large eggs I'm the bas-
ket. and, thinking he might as well
have them MS curiositfes. he started to
bid. with the result that the lot was
Knocked down 10 him for so.
Upon examining the eggs II oc-
eurred to him thht he might be sblc
to make profit on their sale He nc
cordingly wrapped them up I'm a hand
kerchief and brought them to me.
"As soon as they had washed Off the
CRIME which covered them discovered
that they were eggs OF no less a bird
than the great aux. and MS result OF
their sale q few weeks later / handed
the astute young bargain hunter
check for $1,000.
"At another sale which 1 conducted
there was an old picture so covered
with dirt and CRIME that It was almost
impossible to see what II was like.
This was hung upon the wall in
prominent position. but did, not appar-
emily find favor I'm the eyes OF any OF
the dealers who were present. No re-
serve price was placed upon this pic
ture, which had been put into the sale
by local pawnbrolker TO whom IL had
been pledged and not redeemed
IN spite OF every effort on the part
or the auctioneer, It was eventually
knocked down to young man who
had looked into the sale quite casually
In order to waste half an hour during
! which he had TO wait for train. Talk
ing great fancy to the frame. which
vas OF oak. blackened with age. he
hazarded q bid Of So. Mt which price
II was knocked down TO him without
any competition.
''As he did not want the picture. he
asked the nuctionecr whether he would
mind trying to got bid for II II he
cut IL out OF the frame. and. being an
swered In the affirmative. he took out
his knife and neatly cut through the
canvas all round the edge.
"1mnginc the nstonishment OF him
sslf and all present when. hidden be.
mind the canvas. he discovered five
| bills for 500 each Evidently the pic
| are had been used TO conceal the saw
| 1878 OF some previous owner. who had
| died without disclosing the secret md
whose hard won fortune Thus came
into the hands OF total stranger.
Il should quote MS very interesting
sale Mt Rutland Gate, where there
were only the remains OF the furnL
tur. n firm having been allowed TO
tnko what they chose TO their rooms
il was accordingly after the nature OF
rummage sale. but In one cupboard
"fiich had been overlooked were what
tie Junior clerk described ns three
eilter cups. The auctiOnecr was sit,
ting IN his Office when n gcntlemar
IrpVp IN I'm tupc,r, ,.oI, arvf,,,.
spDnk about these cups. for which he
Odee'd no less than $1,000.
The auctionecr was so much sur
prlscd that he thought his visitor must
have some reason for this high bid,
and he wisely determined not TO take
the 1rst offer he received. on don't
think they Will take that he said. and
with this answer the gentleman had 10
be- content. An expert was called on
20 examine the so called cups. ana he
discovered them TO be I'm reality six
tccnth century chalices. for which Inc
himself made an offer OF 81. 100 The
three cups were subsequently sold for
$3.50 Lut 1t was only by the slightest
chnnce that they had not gone for
c,"ro song.
II shall never forget an incident
which occurred I'm connection with the
sat o. some valuable shells. The bid
c!ng for one large shell in particular
"as 'auch more brisl than lid an.
ucipa;ed, but the r,sSs.. FOR this be-
tTmc apparent when a. last It was
knocked down 90 gentleman ~
very excited condition. who directly
1t ~as handed Co him nGng It upon the
ground and tfImplcd j.; 10 atoms. AZ
tho same time shouting ont IN n loud
voice that now that Ub, was destroyed
be- possessed tie only specimen in the
81, Grid