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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2025 • VOL. 55, NO. 5
Pennsylvania Licensed Auctioneers Celebrate For 77th Year
State’s Auctioneers Association (PAA) Holds Conference In Harrisburg By Kim Douglass The auction industry is one of the oldest industries, and Pennsylvania is part of that history. The Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association (PAA) began in 1948 and is still meeting every year for its annual Conference and Trade Show. This year marks 77 years! From Jan. 7 to 10, the organization met in Harrisburg to celebrate, network, and attend seminars to better the industry and its members. Back in 1948, the PAA was formed to help professionals in the auction industry to continually improve the standard of education, ethics and performance of its members. The PAA is one of the largest auctioneer associations in the country, meeting once a year in Harrisburg, with local chapters meeting multiple times a year. Their conference consists of educational seminars, an Auctioneer Competition, Advertising & Marketing Contest, and a Fun Auction. The PAA is dedicated to making the auction industry stronger. The membership of the PAA is made up of auctioneers, trade members and other auction professionals who are passionate about the auction industry and the auction method of selling. The industry in Pennsylvania is regulated by the State Board of Auctioneer Examiners, which is one of the many Pennsylvania boards that requires a license. What this means is that anyone selling through the auction method in Pennsylvania (online or live) is required by law to hold a state issued license. Focusing on education, the PAA provides continuing education to the many auctioneers who maintain advanced auctioneer certifications or auctioneer licenses
held in other states that require continuing education. This annual conference allows the attendees to better serve their buyers, sellers, and the industry as a whole. Over 200 auction professionals were in attendance, including auctioneers, apprentices, auction students, support personnel, vendors, and presenters. Twenty-five presenters from around the country offered a wealth of information throughout the event. Yes, you read that correctly, 25 presenters! Although the conference hosted speakers from around the country, the highest concentration was from right here in the state from PAA members. The membership of the PAA consists of a wealth of knowledge and take networking seriously. In fact, over half of the presenters are valued members of the PAA. Many readers of Antiques & Auction News would know them. Below is a list and the subject matter on which they lectured. Christian Answini Comic Books Dana Balsamo - Quilts Shawn Carbaugh - Bid Calling Lon Clemmer - Real Estate Darin Cole - Baseball Cards Beth Hillmar - Livestock Matt Hostetter - Bid Calling Sherm Hostetter - Real Estate John Hums - Model Trains Patrick Morgan - Real Estate, Ethics/Professionalism Kevin Smith - Vintage Records Brent Souder - Ethics/ Professionalism J. Meryl Stoltzfus - Real Estate, Bid Calling John Tyminski - Vintage Electronics Additionally, Mike Fisher from the National Auction Association was present for a session
Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Vintage Cards And Decor By Carol Leach Love Valentine’s Day? The Haddon Heights Antiques Center has you covered with a wide variety of vintage Valentine cards and decor. Need a unique and thoughtful gift to give your favorite valentine? The Haddon Heights Antiques Center has beautiful vintage jewelry, elegant glass, antique perfume bottles, linens and hankies, and much more. Gift suggestions will be artfully Continued on page 9
PAA Officers for 2025 are (from left) Executive Director and Treasurer Kim Douglass, President-Elect Brian Oberholtzer, President Michael Calvert, and Vice President Jason Reed.
The 2025 Auctioneer of the Year was Les Beyer.
Here are the PA Auctioneer Championship top 10 competitors. The annual competition is held at the Farm Show in one of the ballrooms and a very popular event.
on Partnering for Profit; Matt Fridg from Auction Pro Marketing shared his insight into AI; Mike Gribbin and Downing “Jake” Jacobs spoke about instruments; Bob Lucas shared his knowledge about historical trinkets; Roxanne Morison spoke on antique dolls; and Tim Sweet from Grove City College discussed efficiently using AI for research. The PAA also hosted a session about legislation and legal concerns presented by PAA Legal Counsel, Attorney Ryan Gonder and the PAA Governmental Affairs Consultant, Jessica Kemmerer. One of the largest trade shows of any state auctioneer’s association is hosted by the PAA during the conference. This year, the list of vendors included some faithful repeat vendors and also some new companies. The attendees were able to interact with companies representing the industries of publishing, sound, recycling, auction bidding platforms, auction marketing, auction accounting systems, insurance, credit card processing, real estate listings, AI cataloging, moving, communications, shipping and more. The event’s vendors included All Points Sound, Antiques & Auction News, ATH Mechanical & Recycling Inc., Auction Look, Auction Techs, Auction Technology Group (ATG), AuctionWriter, Auction Pro Marketing, BidWrangler, Commonwealth University, CRS Recycling Services, ER Munro & Co, Good Sound Co., HiBid, Lancaster Farming, Listernaut, MarkNet Alliance, Continued on page 9
Early Embroidered Hot Pads Sell For $43,050 By Karl Pass “They went to local Chester County collectors who was thrilled to get them,” said Leah Stevens of Briggs Auction Inc. On Dec. 6, the Garnet Valley, Pa., based auction house sold a framed grouping of four 18th century Chester County embroidered needlework hot pads/potholders for $43,050 (including buyer’s premium). In a gilt frame, measuring 15-by-12.25 inches, each was initialed and dated (1776) with foliate design. The pre-sale estimate was $200-$400. They were underbid by dealer Amy Finkel. Similar lozenge-shaped Continued on page 11
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . .
starting on page 2
SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . .
on page 4
AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . . . . on page 6 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR on page 8 AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . on page 9
FEATURE ARTICLE: New Show To Be Held In Phoenixville, PA - Page 5
CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . on page 11