By RACHEL SHALLENBERG
Editor, Auction Exchange

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — For more than 40 years, the Washtenaw County Fairgounds in Ann Arbor has upheld a reputation as a great venue for arts and antiques. The tradition was continued on Feb. 27 with the third Super Auction.

The Super Auction was created by David Helmer of Braun and Helmer auctions.

“I wanted to create something in Michigan that would have a Midwest appeal. An auction that people would travel for,” Helmer said.

Helmer knew people had valuable items to sell, but were lacking the right venue to properly showcase their merchandise.
He feels that each auction has built off of each other. With each auction, attendance improves, the kinks get worked out and most importantly, “it’s passed the credibility test, our auction is not a gimmick,” Helmer said.

The Super Auction takes some of the industry’s best auctioneers and allows them to auction some of their best, fresh-to-the-market, merchandise to a captive audience. For example, Scott Vander Kolk, of Golden Gavel Auction Service only brought four items - four good items. Golden Gavel had motorcycles for sale; such as a 1974 Honda CT90.

“We are actually selling what people want to buy,” Helmer said. “The key is to represent people’s stuff. We want to have great stuff and represent our sellers well.”

The goal is also to conduct the auction in a concise, organized format. “It’s a five-hour auction, three rings at a time and it’s over - it’s fantastic,” Helmer said.

Braun & Helmer had farm toys with John Deere; a military and Civil War session and a third ring with sports cards and memorabilia that drew attention from across the country, including vintage, rare baseball cards. There was also a Braun & Helmer ring with Frank Baum Oz books, a ring with antique lighting, rugs and furniture and other antiques.

American Eagle Auction & Appraisal had a ring with trains, bronzes and Franklin Mints and another ring with guns, knives and casino memorabilia. American Eagle had especially good results on a World War II bomber jacket and a World War I, 1916 Pickelhaube helmet.

Belhorn Auction Service had two different rings with American Art pottery. They also had a third ring with small, jewelry and coins. Peter Gehres of Belhorn Auction Service, said they were pleasantly surprised at how well the contemporary pottery sold. Belhorn also had four Royal Doulton, Beatles Toby mugs that sold for $575. They also had a Newcomb College cabinet vase that sold well.
Schmidt’s Antiques had an antique tool session.

Dennis Beals had a jewelry and badge ring. Beals was exceptionally pleased with the box lots of jewelry he sold, noting that the sterling lots did the best. Beals, who has been a part of all three Super Auctions, said there haven’t been too many changes from one to the other, except they just keep getting more efficient. “It’s certainly going to be an event to be recognized across the Midwest, if it’s not already,” Beals said. He feels honored to be asked to be a part of it. Beals deals in estate liquidations, therefore, 99 percent of the merchandise is ‘fresh-to-the-marketplace,’ the Super Auction is an excellent venue to display these items.

Jade Montrie of Montrie Auction and Estate Service had a ring of postage and stamps. They had good results with several Graf Zeppelin stamps and a Declaration of Independence stamp also did well.

“I think it’s a nice venue to showcase higher-end antiques and collectibles, in front of a well-attended auction oriented crowd. Most people are very auction-familiar and it gives them the opportunity to find many different antiques in one timeframe,” Montrie said of the Super Auction.

Kraft Auction Service had advertising, promo cars and motorcycles. Overall, the auctioneers were pleased with the results. Ken Lindsay of American Eagle Auction said prices were up 15-20 percent of what he expected.

Vander Kolk encourages everyone to attend the auctions, even those who have never been around the industry before. Vander Kolk, Helmer and Gehres created an informational website to help novice auction goers all the way up to the most experienced in the industry.

The Auctioneer Channel is a social networking website for those who are looking to learn more about the industry or those who just want to see what other auctioneers are up to. The Auctioneer Channel filmed each auctioneer at the Super Auction and posted short videos about each one on the website. The site also has coverage of auctions from across the country.

“I think the Super Auction is the most significant series of auction events in the history of our profession. It’s unique, diversified and the public supports it. It’s a walking auction convention. It’s an opportunity for the public to see multiple auctioneers and to see the unique types of items on the market today,” Ken Lindsay said of the Super Auction.

The next Super Auction will be in August at the Washtenaw County Fairgrounds. Look for more information and ads in The Auction Exchange and Collector’s News.

Additional details are available by calling 734-368-1733 or visiting www.thesuperauction.net online.