ANN ARBOR, Mich. – They don’t call it the Super Auction for nothing.

About twice a year, some of the top auctioneers in Michigan bring their talents - and their inventories - to auction, and "let the chips fall where they may."

Each Super Auction is a well-tuned machine, comprised of three auctioneering rings running in smooth, synchronized fashion while offering up treasures at a quick, but predictable, pace that is easily accessible to experienced bidders.

"I really enjoy coming to the Super Auction," says one bidder. "I know what time the items in which I am interested will be sold, I know what time it will be over, so I can plan my day. I don’t have to get here real early and then possibly wait for two or three hours until the items I want cross the block."

The Super Auction is also a little easier on bidders’ personal psyches, making it possible for an attendee to sleep a little later or have a second cup of coffee if the items in which he or she is interested are scheduled for one of the later time slots. The schedule is always well-publicized.

Over the years, the Super Auction format has become perfected: there are three auction rings each with 5 one-hour sessions; each participating auctioneer is assigned to a specific hour in a specific ring; each auctioneer brings the items he or she expects to sell in that hour; at the end of the hour a new auction begins. All items are one display and catalog lists are provided. If two auctioneers bring items in the same genre, (i.e.coins), they are assigned different time slots thus making it possible for attendees interested in that particular genre to remain in one ring and then leisurely move to the next one.

During the most recent session, bidders found coins in one ring, antique toys and mechanical banks in another, and an eclectic selection of antiques and sterling silver in the third.

Found among the toys and banks were toy trucks of all sorts, toy soldiers, teddy bears, and mechanical banks. The mechanical banks included a Shepard speaking dog mechanical bank that sold for $650; a J.E. Stevens Paddy and the Pig mechanical bank that earned $574; and a trick pony one by Shepard that crossed the block for $450. A Kenton Toys overland circus truck, complete with a bear saw a final bid of $850; a Kenton Toys horse-drawn circus wagon to carry the band sold for $325; and an overland circus wagon saw a final bid of $200.

Off in the ring selling antiques a calendar proved to be the item that attracted the eyes of several attendees, even those who weren’t there to add to their collections. This was a 1954 calendar of Marilyn Monroe. This actress, these many years later, continues to attract attention. This item crossed the block for $2,300.

Other items in this session that proved to be of interest were a set of heavily carved ivory Oriental figurines that sold for $100 each; a pair of 19th century walnut bookcases that sold for $850 each; and a set of Wedgwood plates from the estate of an Ann Arbor professor that depicted many of the buildings on the University of Michigan campus that earned $325.

Other items included a Cowan Pottery Polo plate that sold for $450; framed hair memorials that earned $90 to $240 each; and a Roseville Pine Cone cornucopia that found a new owner for $250.

The auction rings used in the first sessions cleared out and the auctions began in the rings being used for the second session. Some attendees joined the others at that time, some headed off for a bite to eat or a cup of coffee if they were sticking around for a later session, some moved to another ring, and some left to pursue other interests if they had the items for which they came.

This session found guns, sports cards, pottery, antiques, collectibles and military items in the three rings. An item that would appeal to kids was presented - an antique Frederick Hein carousel horse. This example from the past crossed the block for $2,250.

Other desirable collectibles included: a 1977 Bobby Orr Bally pinball machine that sold for $475; an autographed Bobby Orr jersey that would appeal to either a sports fan or an autograph collector that earned $475; and Tiger Tales, a book about the Detroit Tigers that crossed the block for $500. A print autographed by the late Ernie Harwell, the noted sportscaster for the Detroit Tigers for many years earned $300.

Found in the third ring were the pottery collectors and enthusiasts. They had a large selection from which to choose including pieces by Roseville, Rookwood, and Door. A 12-inch unmarked Cherry Blossom brown vase by Roseville sold for $525; a 4-inch Roseville Ferella rose bowl, also in brown earned $260; and a blue Roseville blue 8¼-inch Foxglove vase with handles saw a final bid of $150.

The time period of this particular ring was extended for a second period; however, none of the other rings had pottery items crossing their blocks so all of the attendees in this ring were very content to stay in their chairs and continue adding to their collections. Several more Roseville pottery pieces continued to "hear" the fall of the gavel as well as the several varied items from the other potteries. Mixed in with the vases were jardinières, tiles, and planters.

One ring in the third session was the place to be for the trapper or collector of traps. There were traps of every size one could desire as well as a traps made by a large number of makers. Bear traps with cast iron teeth included a S. Newhouse, Oneida Community, N. Y. that measured 43 ½ inches and sold for $1,900; a S. Newhouse no. 6, Animal Trap Company, Cleveland, Ohio that was slightly larger at 43 ¾ inches and sold for $1,000; a Junction Trader no. 7, Valley Forge, Perkiomen Junction, Penn. that was much larger, measuring 51 ¾ inches and finding a final bid of $1,200. These three were among the largest of the traps to cross the block at this auction but there were many others that were smaller and easier to handle.

Military items always seem to find a following and they were not to be denied at this auction. Found here were items from World Wars I and II including items from America as well as those from other countries. A German Luger sold for $1,250; pickelhaube-spiked helmets sold for $225 to $350; and a 1914 Patton cavalry sabre sword crossed the block for $295. There were many additional uniforms, posters, badges, and ribbons.

Later in the day found the collectors of sports cards and other sports memorabilia drifting into the auction site and finding their seats. Some of the very early collectible cards were those of personalities recognized by the die-hard collectors; other cards carried the names of players more easily recognized. A 1952 Bowman Mickey Mantle card sold for $550; an 1888 Allen & Ginter Mike Kelly (A16) saw $325; and a 1909 E92 Dockman Honus Wagner crossed the block for $600. Ty Cobb cards are always highly desirable and a T206 tobacco card red portrait sold for $475; a partial 1952 Bowman set sold for $650; and a set of Topps cards from 1953 with Hall of Fame and other stars earned $700. In addition to cards there were figures including several nodders, souvenir ball bats, pins and more.

It is evident that the Super Auction is one that has something that appeals to almost every collector of every genre. It is one that certainly is set up efficiently and one can make maximum use of their time. Watch for upcoming ones; look for the type of item in which you are interested; note the time; show up at your convenience; and plan on being through and on your way in a short amount of time. All prices quoted are the hammer price and do not include the buyer’s premium. Make sure and check out all the details for the upcoming Super Auction this weekend. See pages 12 & 13 for more information.