The May auction became the June auction, then became the July auction, said Rich Penn. For 20 years, the traditional Spring Rich Penn Auction event has always been in late April or early May. Not this year. In March, things needed to change. In an interest to be safe, Penn postponed the May date until June, and then postponed again, starting July 23. The auction was a four-day sale, with over 2,500 lots including many thousands of items such as coins, barbershop, country store, soda fountain, toys, petroliana, Victoriana and decorative items. Overall, this auction was in the planning stages for over a year and was expected to be a very big one. In spite of the complications, the auction was very successful, and we achieved all our goals, stated Penn. We were concerned that we wouldnt have an in-house crowd. But they showed up, a bit over 100. And they wanted to buy. Bidders entered through a queue where temperatures were taken, and masks, gloves, and sanitizer were provided along with an information sheet on safety guidelines and proper social distancing. Bidders were understanding and very cooperative, said Penn. Penn has been doing live online auctions since they began and said online activity set all kinds of records. He commented, In four days we had over 13,000 bidder registrations from across the globe. Over twice whats normal. Weve never seen numbers like that. Hardly a lot sold that didnt have a thousand watchers. Buyers were hungry and also aggressive. Over 50 percent sold online. The first session included over 13,000 coins selling in just under 300 lots. The variety covered some gold, early Colonial, Civil War era and almost every silver and copper coin minted in the U.S. from the 1890s up to the 1960s. The highlight coin was a very rare 1916 Standing liberty quarter. This was the first year for this coin designed by American sculptor Hermon MacNeil (only 52,000 were minted). Often lauded as one of Americas most beautiful coins, with gorgeous lustre and graded MS64 FH, it sold for just over $22,000. Other graded coins included desirable Morgan silver dollars with rare mintage. An 1892CC, graded MS-62, and an 1893, graded MS-63, both sold for $1,624. A rare 1893S, graded G-6, sold at $2,160. A complete book of Mercury dimes (78 dimes: 1916-1945) sold at $2,040. Gold coins also did well. A 1912S $10 Indian Head Half Eagle in AU and an 1847C $5 Liberty in VF both brought $1,000. Bidders were also offered a fine collection of occupational shaving mugs. Toy collectors were offered tin windups including a superb selection of Popeye entertainment. With over 300 occupational mugs to choose from, they covered just about every occupation of the day. Each one graphically identified the merchant, by name, and a service/business illustrated on the mug. The top selling mug boasted a great graphic for a Standard Oil Gas station. It showed the visible pump, two autos and the station attendant. This example covered the popular petroliana category as well as the advertising medium. It sold for $3,500. Other ones, an ambulance driver, a bi-plane pilot, and a school bus driver, all sold for $2,500 each. On a larger scale, a 1930s American National Stutz Roadster pedal car, with an older restoration, drove away pulling a $2,000 bid. It was followed closely by a 1930 American National Cadillac pedal car bringing $1,800. Shifting gears into day three brought a different array for bidders. The session had 800 lots and was the strongest of the four days. Categories included advertising, country store Coca-Cola, coin-op machines, petroliana, and a Classic 1927 Model T Ford Cretors Popcorn truck. That Popcorn truck was the top lot of the auction. The truck, with a recent restoration, was driven into the auction site and was available for complete inspection from preview through dropping the hammer. Bids heated, burst, and popped up to $42,350. But popcorn wasnt the only treat bidders were interested in. The Coca-Cola items were strong through every lot. A rare diecut cardboard sign Smokey Bear publicizing Prevent Forest Fires smoked out a $6,000 bid. A litho-on-metal sign, Take Home a Coke, showing a six-pack of Coke, gathered up a $5,220 bid. But Coca-Cola items werent the only soda fountain items with strong interest. There were a number of other soda options for thirsty consumers besides Coke. They came in many different flavors, and the syrup was dispensed from decorative ceramic containers into a soda glass, then the Soda Jerk blasted carbonated water into the glass, mixed the two, and you had your flavored soda. Some of the more popular flavors included the Wards figural Orange, Lemon, Grape and Lime Crush flavors. All were represented, with the rare Lime Crush fetching $4,800. The last day may have offered the most surprises. While Victorian-era furniture and decorative items may have fallen from collector favor recently, this session didnt reflect that. A Vienna style Wagner German vase painted with double portraits commanded an $8,120 winning bid. A gilt bronze and onyx fern stand sold for $6,450. A rare English Edwardian taxidermy diorama on parlor stand brought $5,225, with a bedroom suite attributed to Thomas Brooks bringing $6,380. This auction sure tested everyones patience, endurance, consideration and ability, concluded Penn. He went on, But we successfully made it through it, thanks to our clients and the thousands of bidders. Now its on to the next one. Penns next auction is scheduled for May 2021. For updated information, visit www.RichPennAuctions.com.