We lost our father and mentor, Rich, in May of 2017 and our brother, Rick, this past October. Our family can identify with the loss of icons in the business such as Philip Bradley, Carl Stinson and Peter Tillou, among others. We did business with all three, and they were genuinely nice guys. I read a recent mention of Carl and agreed wholeheartedly with the writer stating how he always shared his knowledge and wisdom, much like my dear dad always did. Dealer Kelly Kinzle once said to me, The auction business will always be viable and necessary regardless of the economy, yet like most businesses will have its ups and downs. We are so grateful for our friends and colleagues in times such as this and hope to have a good year ahead continuing to make a living doing what we love. Roan Inc.s annual two-day pre-Christmas auction held Dec. 17 and 18 offered a range of quality antiques and decorative arts garnered from all over Pennsylvania and New York, but much of the two-day presentation came right out of their own neighboring backyard of Williamsport, Pa. The family-owned and operated business has been going for the past 76 years, in its original location in the village of Cogan Station, Pa. The Roan family has traditionally presented their pre-Christmas auction for the past 50-plus years, putting together a quality showing pleasing dealers and collectors alike. And this year proved to be no different. Prices reported are hammer prices and do not include a buyers premium. Gold, coins, jewelry, and sterling wares were the bulk of the catalogued lots in the first session. Two 13.5-carat yellow solid gold plate sections totaled $7,900. A nice selection of gold coins included a 1908 $20 ($2,500), 1911 $10 Indian Head ($2,000), 1913 $2 1/2 Indian Head coin ring ($725) and a 1911 $2 1/2 Indian Head set in a necklace ($650), along with many others. Jewelry standouts included a ladies 1940s 18-carat yellow gold Cartier wristwatch settling at $1,600, a ladies 1940s 14-carat white gold Rolex wristwatch at $900 and a vintage 14-carat peridot and diamond evening ring that found its new owner for $700, among several other pieces. Various sterling flatware services were part of day one. Included in that category was a service for (12) of Tiffany & Company Palm flatware selling for $2,775, a 9.5-inch diameter Tiffany & Company plate for $290 and a small Tiffany & Company scalloped rim dish that went for $130. A small assortment of art glass rounded out the fine arts side. A great deal of antique and vintage Christmas ornaments and decorations from a New York state collector were offered during the expanse of the first day. The offering drew attention from well outside the region with bidders battling for a piece of Christmas past. Ornaments were offered in lots of a dozen to a few dozen at a time and realized prices of $130 to $550 for the old delicate glass pieces, and the tinseled paper ornaments topped out at $400, $325 and $200 per lot. The fine showing of quality paintings and artworks, most from the Williamsport estate of Henry Perciballi, the late local attorney and dear friend, gathered attention from private collectors and various galleries both domestic and international. Top bidding on an original glass centerpiece in green iridescent realized $1,050, while a 9.5-inch mother of pearl apricot satin glass ruffled rim diamond signed Loetz Austria large Rusticana quilted vase stopped quickly at $45, a big difference from a few years ago. A Charles Baugniet framed oil-on-wood panel painting (Belgian, 1814-86) titled La Toilette de la Mariee, purchased for $24,000 by a private collector, will stay in Williamsport. Another art highlight was an Annie Snyder (American, 1852-1927) framed oil-on-canvas still life painting from 1914 purchased at a Roan auction in 2010. The vibrant still life of fruit and nougat candies all in a clear glass compote sold for $6,000 to local collectors. A David Armstrong (American, 1947-98) original watercolor painting titled Farmhouse Near Lairdsville PA will also stay in the region after realizing $4,750. A framed antique Streidl-1830 oil-on-canvas painting of seated Holy Mother and Child in a garden setting realized $1,750, and four D. Arthur Teed works totaled $2,775. Included in the second sessions catalog was a large assortment of Griswold cast-iron wares, mostly consigned by a local private collector. The most interesting pieces included a scarce #14 bailed skillet with block logo and heat ring ($1,400), #14 low dome self-basting lid ($550), a rare #15 oval skillet with matching lid ($800) and a scarce #6 Tile-Top Dutch oven with matching self-basting lid ($350). Always a crowd pleaser, a nice selection of antique stoneware included a four-gallon jug stamped Rexford & Gordon Sellers in Wines, Liquors & Co. Williamsport realizing $2,000. A three-gallon Cowden & Wilcox floral decorated jug brought $650, and a S. Hart-Fulton jug decorated with a pair of birds sold for $600. General quality antiques included a decorated iron J.H.W. Little Victor Safe & Lock Co. safe selling for $425. Coverlets included a Samuel Dornbach Sugarloaf Luzerne Co Penn 1846 in blue & white ($575); a Chippendale sulfer inlaid Jacob Landes walnut chest ($1,900); an early 1800s German hanging pine almanac holder in folk painted polychrome dcor ($500); an 1830 Pottsgrove, Pa., cross-stitch needlework sampler dated October 6th 1830 Margaretta H Walker Pottsgrove ($900); a partial collection of frakturs in the rough (ranging $130 to $775); a painted miniature blanket chest ($900), along with much more. And lastly, the novelty, collectibles and oddities categories included a variety of (42) lots of vintage Promo Cars ranging from a low $25 to a high $350 each; (2) vintage pinball machines, a Gottliebs King Kool ($1,200) and Domino ($675); a tin litho Beech-Nut sign ($210); followed by a group of vintage fishing collectibles ($140) and (2) mini toy airplane diesel engines ($60). Roan Inc. Auctioneers and Appraisers is located at 3530 Lycoming Creel Road in Cogan Station, Pa. For more information, call 570-494-0170 or visit www.roaninc.com.