Before the real estate boom in this town, there was a man that invested his money in a few gas stations in good locations. He was a very nice man, well known locally and enjoyed collecting antique country store advertising.

His house was a huge well built old house. As the years passed, his wealth increased due to selling the land where those little gas stations once stood. Most all antique dealers in the tri-state area and beyond knew this collector. Then, he decided to do what so many collectors wish they could do. His collection became too big for his house, because he loved to collect so much, so, he built a huge building for his collection. He had it built beside the house he lived in. To get to the house, one had to drive down a long drive, so, it was a private entrance. Only the lucky ones that were acquainted with this collector knew of the treasures down that lane.

That building was this man's pride and joy. There were actual antique mall showcases of antique advertising. The walls were filled with huge old signs from stores gone long ago. Time came when this man passed away and his wife, decided to sell everything in the home and his collection displayed in his collection building so she could live in smaller quarters.

I will always remember that sale. It was a 2 day sale, on the site. You had a catalog to refer to because the auctioneer called hard and fast to be sure most of the estate could be sold in those two days. The preview was amazing too, because you could view the building as this man had it displayed. I am sure I will never see another collection such as that one again. I attended both days auctions and bid as though I were a millionaire myself, and yet was outbid every time. I am sure, if that collector was able to look down from Heaven as this auction unfolded, he was sure to be smiling a huge smile.

Not really smiling about the prices, after all, the man was a millionaire. No, he would have been smiling due to people attending from everywhere across the country to see what he loved enough to build a building for. His smile would have been huge if he watched as the items were placed in the winning bidder's hands, knowing that person felt the same as he did when it was in his hands. The key to enjoying what you collect is not keeping records of what you paid, instead, it is the joy of what you feel when you view your collection. Auctions are held everyday, but some auctions will be in our memories always. I will always remember the auction of the man that loved too much.

RC Antiques on Ruby Lane