Going, going, and almost gone

Last weekend was the second auction to settle the estate of Spokane collector, Dan Eagle. Eagle was a long-time advertising rep for the paper (he retired years ago) and he had a good eye for what would be rare or collectible.

I dropped by the sale for a couple of hours both days and picked up a few more vintage magazines and a couple of books. I have a hard time passing up old ephemera, but luckily these weren't as "stinky" as the last lot I bought.
Among the more unusual items sold this weekend were boxes of glass eyes from a turn-of- the-last century optometrist.

There were more Spokane Fire Dept. helmets and nozzles, and still more railroad lanterns and locks. A very early printing press, as well as several books on printing and type were also sold.

More travel posters and even the brass plaque from the downtown Sears and Roebuck store were on the block. Another lot of old irons, including toy irons that sold for as much a $100 each.

I bought another Guernsey sign because it had the name of the dairy on it. The first sign I bought didn't. (I can't help it, I have a thing for old signs.)
I had to take a little ribbing about the fact that the sign featured a cow and a bull, but I guess it means people are reading the blog and that's a good thing right?

The auction was important because so many of the things Eagle picked up would have been lost if he hadn't. A lot of history, and quite a few dollars, changed hands over the weekend. I think there is one more auction coming up and that ought to be the last.

(Click below to see more photos from the event.)