May is a great time to get on the road and head to a great auction. Finding a treasure on that road trip might trigger a memory from childhood or simply be the highlight of the trip. The Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 13, 14, and 15, Rich Penn Auction should be a road trip worth three days of smiles for everyone. The Waterloo Convention Center at Sullivan Plaza in Waterloo, Iowa, will be jam-packed with variety and quality. There will be 2,000-plus lots for bidding, all without reserve. Many rare, unusual fun things for boys and girls, young and old. We have several great estate collections that have come from Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and Kansas. The late Jerry Costagna, Howard Simmering, Ron Dugan, Walt Herbie Oswald and Mary Jane Kauffman all were great collectors. And all the collections are different. That gives our collector friends a massive variety. Something for everyone, stated Penn. Toys have an appeal to almost everyone. Most boys back in the day grew up with cowboy heroes and their merchandise or toy cars, boats, airplanes, trucks and the transportation icons of their dads. And the young girls emulated moms, dolls, dishes, furniture and kitchen devices relegated to the responsiblities of the traditional homemaker moms. The world is different today. But today, both seem to enjoy revisiting those days through collecting those objects with warm personal memories from the past. The film The Christmas Story is an example. Ralphie Parker wanted the perfect Christmas present, a Red Ryder BB gun. That was the ideal present for that generation of young boys. Ralphie got his Red Ryder. But if you didnt, nows the chance. There are dozens in this auction, from early models to more recent examples still in the box. There are adult firearms as well. One thats sure to garner attention is the Samuel Colt .36 Cal Percussion revolver. Boys and girls often asked for their own electric train. They came in all kinds of sizes and locomotion techniques, from hill climbers to windup to electric. A variety of railroad memorabilia, from rare railroad pocket watches, lanterns, and locks to sterling souvenier spoons, dinnerware, occupational mugs, even passenger car table lighting, will be sold. Many a young lady asked Santa for a Barbie doll. That product line shaped young girls perception of what the life of an adult woman could be. In 1959, Barbie Millicent Roberts, the doll, was introduced to the world as a teen fashion model from Willows, Wis. She went on to become Barbie the astronaut, an airline pilot, and even a politican. Barbies are still popular today. From the early Barbies, to more recent ones, along with many of Barbies besties, many will be in this sale. There were many toys that straddled the genders: windup toys, games, TV hero merchandise and many of the cast-iron toys among them. In the early 1900s, cast-iron was the preferred material for anything that needed durability. That included toys from J & E Stevens, Arcade, Hubley, Dent, Kenton, and many others. There are a number of castiron toys to choose from. But cast-iron came in many other collectible forms, windmill weights, doorstops, implement seats, lawn sprinklers and ornaments, even kitchen appliances. All will be there to select from, including many rare pieces. Primitives and decorative pieces add personality to any home. Early farm pieces like a John Deere walk-behind plow or a John Deere Corn Sheller will be sold. On the other end of the spectrum, contemporary Danish silver over copper tableware and sterling silver is in the sale, as well as oil paintings from listed artists, stoneware and quality glass, even rare bitters bottles. The Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center, just newly renovated, is just a few blocks from the freeway. Its very easy to find. Its a great facility and adjoins a Best Western Plus hotel, also renovated last year, with parking ramp. Both are connected by an enclosed skywalk. Plus, its within walking distance to great restaurants. Just ask for the Rich Penn Auctions special $84 room rate, added Penn. For those not making the trip, Penn offers multiple bidding options, including absentee, telephone and live bidding online through LiveAuctioneers. Find the links to the online catalog by visiting www.RichPennAuctions.com. Full-color catalogs are available for $40. Prices realized will be posted online. To contact Rich Penn Auctions, call 319-291-6688.