Saturday, August 27, 2011

Saturday Night Auction



It's been almost eight months since I've been to an auction.  I so enjoy a good one, but I haven't been inspired lately by the items up for auction.  However, I saw something in the listing this time that made me nearly run out the door.  A little peek of what I saw is above. 


Some of the interesting things for sale was a large Florida Fruit crate, a wool Persian rug, decorative balls and two old typewriters.


Above is part of a 1970s pull down map collection from a school.  The mounting frame that holds all of the maps was also included. 


A very pretty textured tile art piece and a caution wet floor sign were also at the auction.  Oh, there were hundreds more items from furniture to books and everything in between. 

Fortunately for me, all but one of the items I wanted to bid on came up for auction within the first 30 minutes.   The school maps, which is the item that made me run to the auction, were the third item up for bid.  I could hardly believe it.



I set a dollar amount that I was NOT willing to go over and I was getting a little freaked out that the bidding went right up to it.


Thankfully, no one wanted to pay more than my pre-specified amount because I won the item and I didn't have to tell myself to go over that amount because ... (fill in excuse.)


Have you ever seen the movie Sleepless in Seattle?  At one point Tom Hanks pulls down a map from a small rack on the wall in the kitchen and he points out Seattle, WA and then Baltimore, MD.   I have always known I wanted a set of these maps, but seeing one in that movie just solidified the desire.


I absolutely had to find a map.  I had to.  It's always been in the back of my mind when I go to antique shops.  I've always figured that someday I'd find just one map shoved in a corner.


I never ever dreamed that I would find a rack and 12 pull down maps for sale.

There has been this giant open wall space in my guest bedroom for nearly six years now.  I figured someday I'd find the perfect thing to go there.  The wall was painted such a funny color that most of the artwork I have just didn't look good in that room, so the wall remained empty.  The map collection, however, looks perfectly at home.

I brought the pieces home, hung the frame (it is crooked, but not too bad for being home alone and not having a level), installed the maps and giggled at my good fortune.

I also won the fruit crate, the Persian rug and a box of miscellaneous framed artwork. 


Unknown Mami

Hope you enjoyed a tiny tour of the auction I attended this weekend.  If you'd like to see more Sundays in my City, please head on over to Unknown Mami's place for the weekly SIMC carnival.  It's always a great time.

Kristin

17 comments:

Tara R. said...

Those maps were a great find. I'm glad you won the bid. The typewriters would have been my pick.

CiCi said...

It is fun to read how much you wanted to find the pull down maps. So your find is a treasure. It looks great on your guest room wall. I would have liked the textured tile art piece.

Anonymous said...

I have never seen a map collection like that before, but now that I have, I think I want one too! They look great in your guest room.

Terri said...

the maps are very cool Kristin! Reminds me of elementary school.

sheila said...

That is an incredibly creative wall decoration! I love old maps, and these are just awesome! Nice!!!!

Mez said...

How amazing! I especially love the type writer!!

Unknown said...

I seriously LOVE that map collection. Oh my gosh. OH MY GOSH! I would love to have one of those in the living room. Such fantastic 'art.' I am so happy you won. Congratulations!

Bill Lisleman said...

I like those maps. Reminds me of grade school.

Claudya Martinez said...

I think those maps are the bomb diggity. Great score.

Theodora Ofosuhima said...

OMG, I wish I was there too. I love those maps, tiles, paint and the typewriter. Great pieces. Happy Sunday.

Bettyann said...

Oh Kristin, I love the maps. I haven't been to an auction in years and we would love to go with you sometime.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

You did so good. I love the things that interested you. As I was reading I thought to myself that those maps sound so cool. How awesome that you got them and they look wonderful on the wall.

Amy DM said...

I do love a good auction. Haven't been to one in years.

Unknown said...

The maps are a great find. Funny I hardly see maps anymore in schools. Maybe that's why our children don't know much about geography. If they had pretty maps, they might learn more.

Keetha Broyles said...

Ooooo la la!!! I am LOVING that map dealy.

Did you get that beautiful textured tile piece?

Ann in the UP said...

Like they all said! Great find, and I'm insanely jealous. I have no place to put them, but they are GREAT!

Erin said...

Those maps are fantastic! Congrats on winning them!
I Love that textured tile artwork, just beautiful!