By RACHEL SHALLENBERG
Auction Exchange Editor

ADRIAN, Mich. — In May of this year, Hudson, Mich., lost a community service leader and an avid railroad collector, Jim Findlay. Findlay settled in Hudson 71 years ago at a time when there were two  railroad depots and two railroad lines through town. When the depots closed, Findlay wanted to use one of them as a community building. But there was a lack of interest in preservation and the building was torn down. Findlay vowed to keep railroad history alive by collecting memorabilia, and he did for more than 60 years.

When Findlay died in May, his family was left with the decision of what to do about his collection. His son, Dave and the rest of the family decided it would be best to auction off the collection. Dave and his wife, Teresa, have been dealers in the industry for more than 30 years and vividly remembered one auctioneer that stuck out to them in their travels — Jim Tomaszewski, of JM Auction Service. On Oct. 9, the Findlay family sat back and watched as their father’s collection of railroad memorabilia was auctioned off by JM Auction Service. Auction goers traveled from Georgia, California, Florida and New York with 57 phone bids. The turnout was better than expected.

Prices listed do not include a buyer’s premium.

A Lake Shore railroad book sold for $265; railroad crossing signs sold for $300; US Works plaque sold for $300; DH & SW globes went for $450; an unmarked globe sold for $300.

A complete Lionel train set sold for $200; FR & GH foreman badge sold for $750; a streetcar token sold for $240; old train passes from various dates sold for $400; T&W wall clock sold for $800; a Boyne City Gaylord & Alpena Railroad lock sold for $1,000; another lock with Plant System on it, sold for $1,375 and a Copper Range Railroad lock sold for $350.

A set of railroad keys sold for $200, a picture with a train in it sold for $300, an SUT lantern sold for $300; a postcard album sold for $200; a Boyne City Gaylord & Alpena lantern sold for $950; several presentation lanterns sold for $450 and $600. An inspector’s lamp marked Florida East Coast sold for $175; a whistle sign sold for $150; a cast iron bell sold for $350; a railroad signal sold for $695.

An 1866 railroad map sold for $100; a C & MLS bell bottom with a brass top sold for $550; a Monon Route Bell bottom sold for $325 and a F & PM railroad sign sold for $1,000.

One highlight of the auction was an old conductor’s badge.
“There was a conductor’s badge that really took us by surprise. It brought over $1,000. We didn’t think it was going to bring that kind of money,” Tomaszewski said.

Findlay also had a locomotive headlight that brought $2,000.

Overall, the auction with more than 1,000 lots was finished in just over seven hours.

“My time and the customer’s time is worth money. We start out at a slow pace for about 20 minutes, and then we really speed it up,” Tomaszewski said of the speed of the auction. His quick bid calling is part of what drew the Findlay family to JM Auction Service. Dave remembered being at an auction near Adrian, Mich., at the beginning of the year, “It was a Saturday morning at an old Michigan farmhouse with barns, situated on a knoll, up a rutted dirt drive overlooking a bumpy dusty dirt road. Cars parked on both sides, north and south. Lots of people were full of anticipation. There was stuff everywhere; wagons were full, it was the same way in the garage. While previewing the auction, I asked the auctioneer how many rings he’d be having. Although busy, he stopped and said, ‘no problem, we’ll have one ring and it will be done and people will be on their way by mid-afternoon.’”

Tomaszewski has perfected his delivery over his 20-plus years of auctioneering. He started out in Ohio and moved to Michigan years ago. His business keeps growing, but he is quick to point out, “It isn’t me, it’s by the grace of God. He’s in the driver’s seat.”

The Findlay family was more than pleased with the results of Jim Findlay’s railroad collection auction. Look for more JM Auction Service auctions in The Auction Exchange and Collector’s News.

For more information, call 517-266-4655 or e-mail jmauctionservic@aol.com