Sarah alluded to the fact that I was a “lucky b*tch” when I purchased an antique cast iron horse at the soggy-underpants-on-the-concrete auction we attended recently. Her assessment, while harsh, is true. I am indeed a lucky b*tch.
The auction was high-end, and people were bidding like crazy on everything. I figured I would go home empty handed. I did start to raise my hand for a Tiffany Lamp that I thought was selling for $25, when really it was selling for $2500, but luckily I caught myself. Finally, an item came up that I was willing to spend more on and win. It was a cast iron horse still bank/door stop. It was huge and heavy as hell.
This guy had everything going for him. There are cast iron collectors, there are still bank collectors, there are door stop collectors, AND there are horse collectors I could sell this to.
For some reason, I have been operating under the belief that I paid $65 for this guy, but I found a receipt when cleaning out my purse that said $85! What happened at this auction was that the auctioneer would speak so quickly, and people were bidding so rapidly, that you would raise your hand for one price, but be counted for the next highest bid offered. It was insanity. For days after the auction, I sulked about the fact that I had seriously overpaid for this horse. Here’s a text between Sarah and I where I complain about it, and Sarah kindly reassures me:
Well, as it turns out, I wasn’t so “dum” after all. That horse sold for some mad cash!
$300? I was so shocked. And happy.
I messaged the woman who bought the horse to ask about her motivations, and here is what she said:
Hi Erin - The horse is beautiful, in wonderful condition and is an extremely rare shape. The detail in the mane, the tail and the musculature make this iron animal very special. I collect the smaller cast iron bank horses. But this clydesdale a great surprise when I saw it and I knew I’d own it. The price I ended up paying is comparable to a cast iron boston terrier doorstop I own. And finally, I am a horse person; I ride and have loved these animals all my life. “Clyde” will be loved and will guard a prominant door in my home. Thank you for selling him. Catherine
She named him Clyde! I love that. And I love when this whole estate sale/treasure hunting/ebay thing we have going helps people to unite with items they might never have found otherwise. And when it makes us some serious cash, things are even better!
-Erin