I have been around auctions for most of my life.  

As a small boy, I went with my dad to tobacco auctions where we sold what we grew, and farm auctions where farmers who could no longer afford to farm sold what was left. As I grew older, I wandered into antique auctions on my own. There is something timeless about an auctioneer working a crowd.  

Each auctioneer has their own way of calling for bids, and each crowd answers differently — sometimes building slowly, sometimes quickly, sometimes feverishly.  

Auctioneer to bidder.

Bidder to auctioneer.

Bidder against bidder…against bidder.

Call and response.  

Until the hammer drops.  

The energy of a lively auction reminds me of an old Southside Virginia tradition — hunting with dogs. (I’m not here to debate that practice.) At the start of a hunt, there’s a conversation between the hounds and the dog man. A good houndsman knows each voice and what it means, answering back with encouragement as a track is found.  

As the chase builds, the calls go back and forth.

Hounds to houndsman.

And back again.

Until it becomes a fury.  

And it continues — until the hammer drops.  

That same energy is present at a great auction, with the treasures serving as the prize. Someone goes home with the spoils. Someone waits for the next one.  

There’s one of those auctions happening in Victoria this Saturday, and it’s one of the most remarkable collections I’ve ever been in the presence of.  

This is a collector’s collection.  

Rarities like a 19th-century Virginia plantation leather key basket. An 1814 sampler from nearby Lynchburg, Virginia. Stoneware nearing 200 years old, made by Virginia craftsmen and others. Primitive Virginia pieces dating back to the 18th century. Ty Cobb — and others — cigarette baseball cards. A found ledger containing a copy of R.E. Lee’s General Order #9. A folk art dollhouse, complete with period wiring and lighting.  

I don’t actively deal in antiques anymore, but I’ve dabbled for a couple of lifetimes. Even now, I’ll respectfully flip a piece to look for a mark, or check the joints of a drawer.  

There are some holy grails here.  

The stories and history in this room are felt immediately upon entering. In the antique world, reverence isn’t demanded — it’s freely given.  

This is that kind of auction.

An auction of old Virginia.  

The owner of the auction house, Ann, and I go back to our teenage years. I was grateful when she entertained my request for a quick walk-through with a camera. It had been a long day for her, so I made a couple of short passes and photographed what caught my eye. I had seen the collection before, but only took mental notes.  

I could have spent days in that room.  

I went in planning only to document and observe — and was nearly out the door when I saw something I may not be able to live without. I’m still not sure…we’ll see Saturday.  

The auction takes place Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 300 Court Street in Victoria.

Sneak previews are available Thursday and Friday, with the sale beginning at 9am. 

Check out their website for a full listing of the items here: Victoria Auction 

I hope to be there with a camera, documenting the day. If you’d like a photo of you and your treasure, I’ve got you covered.  

Hope to see you there.