I was in no way suggesting there were any irregularities. Auctions I attend with absentee bids usually do several things. First, a log of the bids is in possession of an assistant or the "ring man" who watches and then informs the auctioneer. Additionally, items are tagged in some way, such as a small off color sticker and then the auctioneers typically announce that there is an absentee bid exists. Starting an item at the absentee bid high is a ripoff in my opinion. Smart absentee bidders are doing something different. They write in an opening bid and then specify their limit as a second part of the bid. Of course there is still ways of going directly to the absentee high bid.
Too bad more don't participate this way, unless they were "participating" on an item I wanted to buy!
I have seen photos of the brooch. Very nice naturally, but I want your knife . The pistol case is nice too. And the waistcoat for the old man. Or maybe the cooking set yet to be seen. And the painting from last year that never made it due to the artists'accident. But then all of that depends on if I find an original J. Sites, J. Painter, G. Peterman OR Geo Wilson...all Botetourt County VA makers and then maybe I'll find that special TN style by Roger Sells....so much stuff....so little $$
