This is Part 8, and final post of a multi-part series on a Country Auction that took place in Specktown, Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 18 June 1977. The auction was for the purpose of disposing the personal and real property of William “Bill” Dietrich and Helen [Hoffman] Dietrich, who had owned the real property since 1920 when they purchased it from the estate of Helen’s grandmother, Hannah [Rickert] Riegle who died on 11 July 1919. Hannah had purchased the 6 acres and improvements early in the 20th century so at the time of the sale, it had been in the family for more than 70 years. It was also the home where Helen grew up and was her home prior to her marriage to Bill.
Today’s post features some of the prices realized from that auction. The total amount for personal property exceeded $30,000. The real property was sold separately the same day, and the transaction was recorded in the county records.
For all published posts to date, click on A Country Auction in Specktown, 1977.
The following listing of sample prices realized is taken from the auction records, copies of which were provided to the family. Many of the items selling for less than $1.00 were omitted in this listing. Unfortunately, there are no descriptions available of the items.
Many of the household items were purchased new by Bill & Helen, and were many years old and well-used. At the time of the auction there were several out-building or barns on the property including a smokehouse, a large barn, several smaller barns, and an outhouse. The contents of these out-buildings were auctioned along with the contents of the house.
Over the years, Bill Dietrich attended country sales and auctions at neighboring Specktown properties and thus he became a collector or accumulator of “stuff” that had no everyday day use on his own property. Helen was constantly chiding him about the embarrassment that this would cause to her if he “went first” and she would have to “make sale” of what was in those out-buildings.
The irony of all this is that the one single item of personal property that brought the most money was a corner cupboard that for years hung on the porch off the kitchen. It was regularly stuffed with junk that no one knew what to do with. One summer day Helen decided to remove the cabinet and in doing so, it crashed to the porch floor, between the ladder and the wall. Fortunately, she was not injured, but she hauled the cabinet to one of the barns. What she didn’t know, and probably Bill didn’t either, was that the cabinet was made locally and had a authentic milk finish which had not been altered in the many years it was hanging on the porch wall. It brought $1025.00. Bill lived to know how much it sold for and was quite amused; Helen died about five weeks after the auction, so it is doubtful that she understood much about what happened at the sale.
Scale, $4.50; Ladles, $19.00; Marker & Wooden Square, $6.00; Wooden Handles, $11.00; Hoes, $3.00; Drawing Knife, $14.00; Miners Picks, $3.50; Hoes, $2.50; Ax, $1.00; Wire, $2.50; Miners Hats & Lights, $5.00; (2) Miners Lights, $12.00; Shoe Repair Outfit, $1.00; (2) Miners Lights, $10.00; Miners Lamp, $11.00; Wooden Mallet, Bucket & Plane, $4.50; Powder Horn, $3.50; Saws & Squares, $2.00; Stone Hammer & Pipe Wrench, $2.00; Eggs, $4.00; Apple Picker & Tool Box, $2.50; Wagon Seat, $25.00; Scrapers, $1.50; Tongue, $7.50; Hand Saws, $2.50.
Mower Knives, $2.50; Railroad Irons, $1.50; Ladles & Digging Iron, $2.50; Hooks & Horn, $4.00; Clock Weights, $2.00; Locks & Meat Hooks, $1.50; Tubs, $2.00; Chisel, $3.00; Hand Saws, $1.00; Green Tool Box, $5.50; Corn Shellers, $16.00; Bushel Boxes, $1.50; Barrel, $3.00; Horse Shoes, $1.00; Brooded Stove, $ .25; Belting, $2.50; Cream Separator, $1.00; Contents of Building, $6.00.
Lot of Hinges, $5.00; Wheels, $1.00; Pig Trough, $1.00; Rib Saw & Single Tree, $1.50; Buck Saws, $21.00; Wheels, $3.50; Horse Plow, $10.00; Pig Troughs, $3.00; Baskets & Tub, $3.00; Buck Saws, $11.00; Horse Cultivator, $8.00; Harrow, $10.00; Pipe, $6.00; Rake, Hoe & Shovel, $1.50; Stakes, $1.00; Fence Stretcher, $2.00; Pick, $1.50; Mail Box, $1.00; Contents of Building, $1.00; Chain, $1.00; Box & Nail Keg, $1.00; Sign, $2.00; Shoe Lash, $3.00; Stakes, Pins & Points, $3.00.
Step Ladder, $ .10; Harrow, $5.50; Miner Bits, $10.00; Oak Table, $1.00; Sofa Bed, $1.00; Extension Ladder, $30.00; Straw Bales, $1.25; Dump Rake, $7.00; Push Mower, $ .25; Pipe & Baby Buggy, $3.50; Handle for Plow, $6.00; Tongue, $4.50; (4) Wheels, $60.00; Chicken Feeder & Waters, $1.00; Ladder, $1.00; Apple Stewer, $1.00; Handle, $13.00; Axles, $2.50; Tripod, $1.00; Milk Can, $4.00; Tires and Wheels, $2.00; Flower Crocks, $ .50; Barb Wire, $5.00; Single Trees, $13.00; Gas Cans, $1.25; Milk Can, $3.00; Hub Caps, $1.50; Brick Siding, $6.00; Wooden Barrles, $2.50; Wooden Pulley, $ .50; Bug Buggy, $2.00; Baskets & Globe, $4.50; Light & Jack, $1.00; Chisel & Bar, $1.50; Oil Can & Oil, $1.50; Hose, $2.00; Anti-Freeze, $3.00; Seeder, $1.00.
(2) Crocks, $7.00; Shovel, $3.00; (3) Crocks, $7.50; Crocks ($3.00); Sledge Hammer, $3.00; (2) Crocks, $7.00; Digging Iron, $1.00; Crocks, $8.00; Basket & Pots, $3.50; Grinder, $8.00; Feed Box, $1.00; Stomper, $1.00; (8) Crocks, $16.00; Digging Iron, $5.00; Hydrogen, $2.00; Grind Stone, $7.00; Digging Iron, $4.00; Ax, $5.00; Hatchet, $32.50; Hatchet, $2.50; Hatchets, $3.00; Butter Churn, $10.00; Grain Cradle, $17.50; Ax, $35.00; Hatchet Blade, $12.00; Hatchet, $2.50; Canes, $1.00, Quakes, $3.00; Traps, $5.00; Digging Bar, $4.00; Stands, $2.00; Shelves, $1.00; Fork, $4.00; Candle Holder, $4.00; Stirrer, $1.00; Stand, $8.00; White Shelf, $9.00; Truck, $26.00.
Miner Carn, $3.50; Waffle Iron, $3.50; Hinges & Mock Crystals, $1.00; Rakes, $2.00; Oil Can & Bottle Capper, $1.00; Boxes & Bottle Capper, $1.50; Glasses & Bottles, $2.25; Shovel & Hoe, $1.00; Handles & Nails, $1.50; Seater & Peeler, $17.50; Planters, $2.50; Shelf, $6.00; Wicker Rocker, $10.00; Corn Popper, $18.00; Coffee Grinder, $12.50; Glasses, $1.50; Butter Churn, $11.00; Lot Nails & Sandpaper, $1.00; Ax, $12.00; Flower Planters, $13.00; Comb Case & Griddle, $8.00; Brace & Bits, $5.00; Tricycle, $5.00; Sifter & Glasses, $1.50; Planters, $2.00; Jars & Glasses, $1.50; Planters, $2.00; Stands, $8.00; Horn & Wet Stone, $1.50; Hatchet, $4.00; Handles, $1.00; Screws & Miner Boxes, $1.00; Wedge, $6.00; Nails, Tape & Box, $2.00; Planters, $2.00; Potato Masher & Box, $7.00.
Lamp Chimneys, $9.00; Hub Caps, $1.50; Scythe, $26.00; Bits with Case, $5.00; Frames & Mirrors, $4.00; Wrench, Box, Lot, $1.50; Wrenches & Bolts, $1.50; Iron & Box, $1.50; Block, $3.00; Oil Cans, $ .75; Rope Stretcher, $2.00; Harness, $1.00; Coal Bucket, $ .75; Basket & Pulley, $4.00; Hoe & Fork, $2.00; Reins, $3.00; Washers & Wire, $3.50; Hammers & Saw, $2.50; Brush & Measure, $1.00; Power Saw, $7.00; Axles, $3.00; Ground Shovel, $3.00; Dress-up Tool, $1.00; Motor, $1.00; Hammers & Nippers, $2.50.
Pipe Wrench, $2.50; Hanger, $2.00; Wood Chisels, $1.00; Square, $7.00; Shovels, $1.00; Motors, $2.00; Meat Hooks, $3.00; File & Hammer, $1.50; Wrenches, $1.50; Nippers, File & Scraper, $4.00; Hammer, Plane, Lot, $3.50; Bars & Adjustables, $2.00; Level & Grind Wheel; $1.00; V-Belts, $ .75; Saw & Can, $1.50; Monta Mower, $1.00; Rug Beater, $ .50; Pruner, $4.50; Electric Motor, $ .75; Turf Builder, $1.00; Scale, $12.50; Harness & Collars, $2.00; Poles, $1.00; Pruner Saw, $4.00; Soda Bottles, $ .35; Stove, $12.00; Bench Vise, $10.00; Straw Cutter, $1.00; Firewood, $1.00; Slawer, $3.00; Pots & Pans, $ .80; Step Ladder, $2.50; Work Bench, $8.50; Straw Cutter, $2.00; Points, $1.00; Boxes, $3.00.
Chairs, $ .50; Chairs, $5.00; (2) Push Mowers, $2.00; Bench, $1.00; Lard Press, $17.50; Moto-Mower, $22.50; Saddler’s Bench, $21.00; Step Ladder & Wheel, $2.50; Unknown, $10.00; Bureau, $35.00; Wash Stand, $60.00; Desk, $20.00; Wood Box $20.00; Lawn Bench, $6.00; Dresser, $ .50; Side Board, $7.50; Bureau, $50.00; Bureau, $80.00; Metal Bed, $12.50; White Lawn Chair, $ .50; Desks, $5.50; Jug, $2.00; Tubs, Jars, $3.50; Bed Stand, $2.00; Electric Boxes, $ .50; Server, $6.00; Crocks, $5.00; Jugs, $5.00; Spreader, $2.00; Lawn Sweeper, $17.50; Wheelbarrow, $50.00; Crocks, $4.00; Hose, $3.00; Bucket & Can, $2.00; Rinse Tubs, $1.00; Wringer Washer, $ .75; Crocks, $4.50.
Hassock, $ .50; Jug Crocks, $3.00; (2) Rugs, $6.00; (5) Books, $3.75; Books, $1.00; Mops & Rake, $1.00; Bowl Crock, $ .75; (2) Crocks, $14.00; (4) Chairs, $64.00; Books, $ .50; Pick & Grubbing Hoe, $3.00; Forks, $2.00; Fork & Shovel, $3.00; Shovels, $4.50; Stone Fork & Scraper, $1.50; Hoe, $1.50; Picks, $3.50; Sledge Hammer, $4.00; Forks, $2.00; Grubbing Hoe & Hoe, $1.50; Unknown, $8.00; Table, $ .50; Green Hassock, $3.50; Rocker, $15.00; Cupboard, $2.00; Pick, $3.00; Orange Chair, $27.50; Sick Room Pot, $13.00; (2) Tables, $8.00; Brown Metal Wardrobe, $15.00; Rockers, $17.50; Roll-a-Way Bed, $15.00; Unknown, $3.00; Sausage Stuffer, $16.00; Nail Keg, $1.00; Desk, $12.50; Chairs (Flower), $9.00; Wooden Iron Board, $1.50; Rolling Pin, $ .50; Radio, $40.00; Oak Ice Chest, $35.00; Mops & Carpet Sweepers, $1.00; Purple Chair, $2.00.
Chairs, $2.00; Shelf, $9.00; Lot of Dippers & Spoons, $1.50; Razors, $7.00; Cot, $2.50; Lawn Chair, $2.00; Wooden Rocker, $40.00; (4) Chairs, $132.00; Iron Board, $2.00; Pans & Aluminum Wire, $2.00; $2.00; Flower Stand, $6.00; Lawn Chairs, $7.50; Hamper, $2.00; Mats, $4.00; Green Carpet, $3.50; (2) Chairs, $12.00; Folding Chair, $2.00; Trouble Light with Cord, $1.50; Magazine Rack & Smoker Pad, $1.50; White Foot Stool, $3.50; Aprons, $4.00; Mats, $6.50; Heater, $3.00; Unknown, $5.00; Wooden Measures, $6.00; Wooden Fork, $7.00; Wooden Forks, $37.50; Buttons & Planters, $4.00; Suitcase & Stand, $ .50; Lantern, $2.00; Lanterns, $5.00; Cider Spigots & Measure, $12.00; Wooden Forks, $20.00; Scale & Lamp Set, $6.00; Stand, $8.00; Hatchets & Ax, $5.00; Planters Can, $10.00; (2) Hatchets, $4.00; Wall Plaques, $4.00; Tablecloths, $6.00; Light, $30.00; Copper Boiler with Lid, $22.50; Milk Can, $10.00; Cord, $2.00; Dipper & Can, 4.50; Tiger Can, $42.50; Chest, $50.00.
Frigidaire Washer, $40.00; Frigidaire Refrigerator, $85.00; Irons, $3.50; 12-Gauge Gun, $32.50; Canner, $1.00; 1967 Malibu Car, $425.00; Casters, Sponge, $2.00; Frigidaire 30″ Range, $5.00; Box of Toys, $3.00; Stevens 22 Gun, $32.50; Seeder, $4.00; Riding Mower, $32.50; Slaw Cutters, $4.00; Irons, $1.00; Slaw Cutter, $5.00; Slaw Cutter, $120.00; Hanging Cupboard, $1025.00; Saw, Scraper, Tools & Bucket, $3.00; Butter Paddle, $1.00; Sheets & Purse, $4.00; Cookie Cutters, $25.00; Slaw Cutter, $5.00; Bucket Bench, $600.00; Lunch Can, Basket, $5.00; Toys, $3.00; Bath Supplies, $2.00; Quilts, $11.00; Light, Towel Rack, $3.00; Coffee Pots, Slicer, $2.50; Strainer, Iron, $5.00; Purses & Ganes $ .25; Wooden Salad & Butter Bowl, $4.00; Radio, $1.00; Bath Scale, $1.50; Sweeper & Coaster, $4.00; Mold, $1.00; Jug, Sewing Supply, $3.50; 2-Piece Living Room Suite, $175.00; Patterns, Knife, Spoon, $1.25; Bell, $50.00; Pruning Saw, $2.00; Chest, $10.00; Butter Churn, $7.00; Gold Chair, $4.00; Toys, $3.00; Globe, Sherberts, planter, $3.00; Wooden Bucket & Case, $2.00.
Meat Saws, $3.00; Hedge Trimmer, $20.00; Basket, Lunch Cans, Rods, $2.00; Tumblers, Tools, Pot, $2.00; Electric Broom, $12.00; Plates, Tumblers, $2.00; Meat Saw, $4.50; Extension Cord, $11.00; Meat Cleaver, $7.50; (2) Meat Choppers, $4.00; Lot of Steel Knives, $2.00; BBQ Grill with Charcoal, $10.00; Brackets & Burner, $3.00; Globes, $1.50; Material, $4.00; Nail Keg, Lot, $3.50; Dipper, $3.00; (2) Dippers, $8.00; Chimneys, $3.00; Pole Lamps, $9.00; Lamp, $12.00; Basket with Dog Supplies, $5.00; Saw & Knife, $1.00; Ladles, $5.00; Hangers, Waste Can & Mats, $ .25; Choppers, Brushes, $1.00; Coal-Oil Heater, $16.00; Pictures, $4.00; (2) Lamp Base, $22.00; Lamp, $7.00; Green Roaster, $5.50; Roaster & Pot, $2.00; Lamp Parts, $2.50; Sewing Machine, $27.50; Lamp, $5.00; Clothes Tree, $6.00; Pillows & Sheet, $1.00; Alarm Clocks, Tray, $2.50; Drapes, $4.00; Pillow Cases, $3.00; Basket of Tumblers, $ .25; Globe & Light, $3.00; Trays, $3.00; Green Curtains, 2.00; Globe Bank, $1.00; Tablecloths, $3.00; Cutting Board, Iron Spooner, $1.00; Knitting Machine, $1.00.
Food Chopper, $5.00; Bulbs & Pants Stretcher, $3.00; Gate, Seat, & Frame, $3.00; Screens, $3.50; Material, Drapes, $2.00; Fitted Sheets, $1.50; Table Lamps, $3.00; Lamps & Windows, $1.00; Mirror, $1.00; Cookie Sheets & Pans, $ .50. Tea Pot, $5.00; Curtains, Material, $1.00; Butter Lids, $5.00; Stool, $3.00; Mixer, $4.00; Pressure Cooker & Pot, $1.00; Tin Cup, Pencils, Cords, Magnet, $2.00; Cleaning Supplies, $1.50; Thermos, Picnic Basket, $2.50; Hat Pins, $1.50; Thermos, Coffee Pot, Pans, $2.00; Baskets, $ .75; Salt & Pepper, Tumblers, $3.50; Flash Lights, $1.00; Bowls, Tray, Cup, $2.50; Heating Pad & Plastic Material, $1.00; Christmas Decorations, $3.50; Tapes, $11.00; Table, $1.50; Candy Jar, Rolling Pins, $1.50; Lazy Susan Set, $1.00; Wall Clock, $7.50; Pots, Pans, Lunch Pans, $1.50; Christmas Decorations, $2.50; Baby Cup, $5.00; Salt, Pepper, Bowls, $1.00; (3) Plates, $6.00; Bowls, Miniature Lamp, $2.50; Toastmaster, $7.00; Pans, Lids, $2.50; Vase, Refrigerator Container, $ .50; Planters, $1.00; Flower Plates, Saucer, Cups, $4.00; Waffle Iron, $1.00.
Pots with Lids, $4.00; Pyrex & Fry Pan, $1.00; Cup with Saucer, $6.00; Screens, $2.00; Blue Birds, $8.00; Pots, Lids, $7.00; Can Opener, $3.0; Bear Bank, $2.00; (3) Cast Iron Fry Pans, $10.50; Horses, Marbles, Screen, $1.50; Sugar, Pink Bowls, $10.00; Apple Dish, Green Pitcher, $30.00; Statues, $1.00; Cup, Saucer, Plates, Creamer, $3.00; Horses, Planter, $4.00; Cereal Bowls, Plates, $1.50; Pink Sugar & Cannon Ball Berry, $6.00; Blue Dish, Mustard Jar, Salt, $5.50; Bread Box, $ .25; Green Tumblers, Pitcher, $1.00; Cups, Plates, $2.00; Coin – Gold Piece, $90.00; Blue Planter, $7.00; Coaster Set, $8.00; Coffee Mugs, $2.00; Plastic Cups, Saucer, Plates, $2.00; Stem Glasses, $3.00; 1927 Silver Dollar, $6.00; Flag, $ .50; Bank, $8.00; Vase & Forks, Spoons, $3.50; Table, $1.00; Unknown, $4.50; 1937 Series Dollar Bill, $2.00. Dollar Bill, $2.00; 1899 Dollar Bill, $11.00; 1909 Half Dollar, $3.75; (2) 1924 Silver Dollars, $11.00; Quarters, $3.00; Morgan Quarters, $5.50; Two Dollar Bill, $3.50; War One Dollar Bill, $3.00; Morgan Quarters, $5.50; Half Dollar, $4.25.
Unknown Coin, $1.50; Barber Half Dollar, $6.50; Barber Dimes, $2.25; Barber Dimes, $2.25; Barber Dimes, $2.50; Barber Quarters, Dimes, $3.50; V-Nickles, $1.75; V-Nickles, $1.25; Barber Dimes, $3.00; Barber Dimes, $3.50; Barber Dimes, $2.25; Barber Dimes, $2.00; (3) Pennies, $3.00; Nickels, $2.00; Nickels, $1.75; V-NIckles, 1.75; V-Nickles, $2.50; Half-Dime, NIckel, $1.25; Canadian Pennies, $ .25; 1862 Indian Head Penny, $1.00; Indian Head Pennies, $1.75; Buffalo Nickel, $ .50; Quarters & Dimes, $2.00; Pennies, $ .75; Indian Head Pennies, $1.25; Frames, $2.00; Comforter, $1.00; Woolen Blanket, $3.00; Frames, $2.00; Moth Balls, $ .75; Pillows & Comforter, $3.50.
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Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.