Harter Auctioneers, Muncie, Indiana

Yesterday we attended an estate sale in Muncie, Indiana hosted by Harter Auctioneers. It was held at the suburban home of a gentleman who had passed away, and all of his possessions including the home were auctioned off. We always feel bad going to these types of auctions because it is a little depressing seeing all of someone's possessions spread out across the lawn in boxes and flats on tables, a lifetime of memories vanishing to the four winds in just a few hours. We are always able to console ourselves with the thought that we can obtain a few precious articles and then find them new homes where they will be displayed and cherished. Of course, it is at this sort of auction that a sharp eye can occasionally find unbelieveable deals overlooked by the crowd.

Due to the volume of items, the boxes and flats were arranged on large tables all across the front yard. The items were sold by selling choice box per table, with each table holding perhaps 10-12 boxes or flats. One box might be food from the kitchen, another a few pieces of depression glass, and another might be filled with old wrenches.

The weather was exceptional, and we brought a few folding chairs with us to relax in the shade as the auction progressed. There was a small concession with hotdogs, hamburgers, and soda avaiable, with cheap prices and lots of good cheese on the hotdogs.

There was a total of 4 pieces of vintage Roseville pottery, but sadly two of them were damaged. A large snowberry ewer had been busted on the spout and glued back together, it went for $5.00 to a guy who said he would display it on his mantle turned so that the damage would not be seen. The other piece we did not get was a very large Etruscan vase with a base chip, the high bid came in at $80.00, which is what we would have tried to get out of it considering the damage. It went to a reseller who had either overlooked the chip or simply did not care.

1949 Roseville Etruscan tray 93-7

We did manage to pick up a seldom seen Roseville Etruscan tray 93-7 from 1949. It was in great shape, and was spotted in a box of ashtrays. Although not an extremenly valuable piece, we consider it a good find, especially for the low price. No one else appeared to have recognized it as Roseville pottery, and so it came home with us for a song.

Roseville Apple Blossom Tea Set

The exact opposite occurred with this Apple Blossom tea set. Each piece is showroom perfect, including a mint lid for the teapot, and they were sold as a set in a flat. The value was obvious to every resseller, and they would not let it go cheap. Fortunately, we knew the retail value of a pristine set and so we ran over the competition and this set came home with us.

We also picked up a few other items such as Viking glass to round out the day, and it was the sort of relaxing auction we love to attend, and made us happy with our chosen business. Although there was not a large amount of vintage and antique Roseville art pottery, it was a good time.