Dundee, Mich. – For more than 80 years, the Wilson & Meyer Hardware store was "in its day" part of the heart and soul of this small southeastern rural community.

Wedged into the triangular-shaped downtown "square," the store helped build the community during the early part of the 20th century, while supporting three families who lived off the business (sparingly, of course) during the Great Depression. Those were the years, according to Kay Meyer, when the store owners would trade supplies coal to fire their furnace. Kay’s father, LeRoy H. Meyer, continued working at the store until only three days before his death. Kay, herself, worked the store’s counter, for years - beginning as a toddler.

Most of the items comprising the sale were parts of the history of Dundee - antiques that had been saved back for this special sale by Auctioneer Rollo Junkette.

Interest was high as coast-to-coast bids were received from Oregon to Massachusetts. Even one bidder had made the trek from Texas to participate in the auction.

However, before getting to the antique items, Juckette opened the day selling the remaining new stock of hardware products from two trailers behind the building. From there, he moved inside - with the assistance of Auctioneer Brad Neuhart, selling from a second ring - to the truly Dundee "heart and soul" items.

After more than 80 years, the antiques came across the auction block in quick order.

A wood slant front jewelry display and the vintage pair of binoculars, with original leather case, each brought a quick $50, while a metal cage with wood frame cricket fishing cage sold for $55. The framed picture of Aunt Jemima, signed and dated 1901, obtained $35 while an classic snow sled, with a one piece board center and scroll end runners, slid in at $45.

The outdoor sign above the front door was sold in its place where it had been for so many years. We were advised that the high bidder was also responsible to remove it from the building. Perhaps it was even an historical landmark in itself as the bidders kept going until the winner emerged at $800. The orange painted wood sign from the original store was also up for sale, and in very good condition, garnering the winning bid of $275.

A related piece of Dundee history was the H.J. Meyer Groceries ’Old Times 5c Cigar’ sign, from the store owned by a brother that was just down the street. Competition was smoking between bidders as they finally reached the selling price of $675.

The central point of any neighborhood hardware store is the main service counter. This one was 12-foot long with Empire style carving and drawers on the back. This well aged example, which saw many years of transactions and visitors, grabbed the attention of several bidders and ultimately was announced, sold at $700. Sitting atop the counter was the highly decorated brass cash register sitting on its oak base. Manufactured by the National Cash Register Co. of Dayton, Ohio in 1907 and had a factory number of 556140 and the size number of 39 ½ on it. With the keys included it rung up a winning bid of $450.

The back counter featured large pigeon holes on bottom portion and small pigeon holes on the top. It was constructed in two pieces and the overall size was 7-foot tall and 8-foot long bringing the high bid of $200. Another long display counter was claimed at $300 while two matching store center showcases sold at $120 and $100 per piece.

Items used during the course of business earned a great amount of interest from the bidders. The metal Farmer’s Union tool display stand, for long handled garden tools like shovels and rakes, brought an impressive $425. The vintage ’Bulk Seed in Packets’ display case was in excellent condition. It opened and closed up with very little effort which enabled it to obtain the $120 high bid. The nail scale included the claw to grab bulk nails sold by the pound with the weighing bucket tacked onto a $120 bid. The 4-foot by 7-foot parts cabinet had 48 drawers obtained $400 while an 18 drawer cabinet for use with 4x6-inch index cards was $130. The store paper roller, made of cast iron and wood, wrapped up $140 today.

A wooden shot dispensing cabinet earned $500 due to the excellent condition. Another great find was the biscuit cabinet that had ’Toledo Biscuit Co’ stenciled on the glass door and was announced sold at $475.

Another most unique cabinet was made by the family about 1902, painted green with the distinctive feature of drawers having been made from wood cigar boxes and pulls of dated Treasury tags. The bidding wound down to two interested parties and the final call by Juckette was $300.

Tools, as expected to be found at the hardware store, included a Winchester plane for $35, the Gates automobile v-belt measure gauge at $25 and a circle glass cutter breaking in for $15.

From the store office was a classic roll top desk, sold at $140. The floor safe, which still worked with the proper combination, sold for $400.

The premier item of the day might very well have been the wall clock made by Joseph Ives about 1818, which had been passed down through the family. It featured a reverse painted decoration, and was noted by the auctioneer there was a crack in the glass. Additional note was that it was working when it was hanging in the store. The winning bidder was able to claim it for $1,750.

Small town hardware stores were often also the sporting centers of the age, with this sale offering an interesting array of antiques and collectibles. A very fragile paper poster advertisement for the movie Winchester 1873, a career turning point in the life of the star Jimmy Stewart secured a high bid of $160. Another Winchester display that was filled with advertising pamphlets sold at $180.

Remington firearms were represented by the Nitro Express Shotgun shells small cardboard advertising display selling at $220 with a ’Remington Sportsman Headquarters’ sign in like new condition selling for a bit more at $225.

Hunting badges for small game and deer were available with the 1929 deer example at $230 alone and others from $60 to $90 each. Fishing reels of various styles sold from $15 with bag lots of fishing lures for $10. A group lot of fishing poles sold for $65.

Large advertising objects included a wall hanging silver axe for the Estwing Company of Rockford, Ill, at $90. A Michelin tire sign, featuring ’Bib’ the Michelin Tire Man, made of metal with wood graining in the dark yellow paint and black writing drove to a final bid of $285.

Toy collectors made successful bids on the Wyandotte green stake truck, believed to be from the 1930’s, at $75; a time wind up woman with her floor sweeper at $110 and an Arcade narrow front red tractor with the hay rake reaping $190. Bags of marbles sold at $130 for the first choice and bidder taking two with the remaining two at $70 and $10 a-piece.

Among the paper ephemera were twp vintage Ohio State University football programs. The one dated 1928 sold at $100 while the 1927 version almost tripled that amount selling at $290. The 1936 Wilson & Meyer calendar claimed $22.50. Of a local nature the board covered with a wide range of political campaign pin back buttons was sold at an impressive $450.

Auctioneer Rollo Juckette, himself is a Dundee resident, may be contacted at (734) 529-2388. Auctioneer Brad Neuhart will be found at (734) 439-7939. They invite you to visit their new www.rollorandbrad.com webpage. And, as always, watch for their ads in The Auction Exchange & Collectors News.