I put on a hat, sweatshirt and two coats, and braved the wind chill today for a chance to get some bargains and maybe even some local history during an
auction at Becky's Drive-In Theater in Lehigh Township
.
I got to stay there about four hours and spent $4. What could I possibly get for $4?It's the first day of trout season in Pennsylvania, and I hooked a bag of tackle, including unopened packages for hooks, bobbers, spinners and some flies for my fisherman son: $2. A large box filled with spools of thread and tins of sewing notions, enough that I can mend clothes and stuffed dog toys for the rest of my life: $1. A box of milk glass vases, glasses and planters: 50 cents. And one of those stupid things you just gotta buy because you had one when you were a kid -- a "stretched" Coke bottle along with assorted kitchen decor items: 50 cents.
The item that drew the most bidding attention while I was there was a long, narrow, wooden, black and white Bethlehem Steel sign. I would have loved to have it for my little collection of Steel stuff gathered as the fourth and last generation of my family to work there. The sign went for $260, far more than I could spend, to a man from Northampton who also is making a collection of Steel memorabilia because of his family's ties to the company.
Richard Gubish, formerly of Bethlehem, said he was drawn to the sign because both his father and grandfather had been Bethlehem Steel firefighters. So, I was glad the sign is going to a good home where it will have a special place.
My stepfather is a coin collector and attended that auction, which was conducted apart from the other goods. He managed to grab a few modest things for his collection, but saw some lots of coins fetch some premium bids, including 44, 1942 Mercury Dimes for $465, and A bag of silver quarters, 1939 to 1964, go for $4,450.
The excitement of the day turned somber, though, when auctioneer Herman Green was stricken and had to be taken for medical treatment. His immediate family rallied around him and others on his staff resumed the auction. They soon decided they could not continue. One of Green's workers said the sale would likely be rescheduled at a later date.
I hope his condition is not as serious as it seemed, and he will recover soon. In working with him on my preview story about the auction and being there today, he is a person who is enthusiastic, has a wonderful sense of humor and a very devoted family. My thoughts are with all of them.