On Dec. 5, onsite in Elverson, Pa., John Hess of the Hess Auction Group sold Harry Wilders estate. Wilder (1932-2020) was an antiques dealer in nearby Black Angus for several decades. Unlike many who left the co-op, some forced out of the trade due to market conditions, Wilder maintained a booth there up until his untimely passing several months ago due to COVID. He also had a shop in the old stone Knauer mill on his property. The mill, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, his stone farm house, a barn, and stone mill keepers house, 31.6 acres in total, sold for $700,000 at noon on auction day. Wilders first career was that of a chemical research engineer. A kind, well-liked man, Wilder is greatly missed by family and friends. He specialized in antique decoys, many of which were Mason Factory decoys. Guyette & Deeter, a decoy speciality auction company based in St. Michaels, Md., sold roughly 100 of Wilders top decoys on Nov. 20 and 21. Hess had a large tent set up in a field situated on the property, a property suited to hosting an auction. Successful onsite bidders were charged a 10-percent buyers premium, and online bidders using Live Auctioneers, an 18-percent premium. Prices reported are hammer prices and do not include buyers premium. With the trade having no shortage of challenges, including limited avenues to sell given many shows have not taken place, many dealers are cautious investing capital in inventory right now. For collectors, many are holding onto disposable income given uncertain job situations and general economic uneasiness. The overall market has contracted. With these factors, one can put forth an argument that it is a precarious time to sell. What occured at the Wilder estate was just a buyers market opportunity. If you were furnishing an old farm house with respectable middle market furniture, this was your sale. Prices realized were very favorable to the entry level buyer. One positive spin on the state of the market is that the low to mid-level buyer that was shut out during the heyday of the 1990s can now upgrade and participate on a level they previously could not afford. Hess handled just over 600 lots and another 200 in an online-only sale through HiBid. About 150 decoys, country smalls, and contemporary folk art by Graham, French, Ellinger and Collis was sold, along with a lot of furniture. The mill had two dozen painted blanket chests, numerous sets of paint-decorated plank bottom chairs, chest of drawers, wardrobes, benches, and desks. An early and unusual antique, likely Lancaster County, Pa., Windsor rocking chair/cradle brought $3,500, and an antique wooden carved bear with milk glass globe reading Cigars and Snuff from a New Hampshire country store, $2,200. Some excellent work by folk artist Keith Collis sold. The late Collis (1929-2020) of Lancaster, Pa., also had a booth at Black Angus and later at Renningers. A life-size standing carved and painted wooden Wild Turkey by Collis sold for $300, one in flying pose, $450. A Collis carving of a Robin went for $120; a pair of Doves in a tree, $90; and a farm scene painting by Collis brought $900. The captions show a small cross section of what sold. Caption prices are also hammer prices and do not include buyers premium. For additional information, call 717-664-5238 or visit www.hessauctiongroup.com.