An 18th century cast-iron stove plate realized $10,000 at a two-day multi-consignor catalog sale held by Horst Auctioneers of Ephrata, Pa., on Jan. 3 and 4. The 867 lots grossed a total $288,885. In an industry where you generate revenue from two sources: the buyer and seller, Horst has an old-time formula that works for them, earning the bulk of their compensation on the seller side. They do not charge a buyers premium for in-house bidders. Absentee and online bids are charged 10 percent. On average, sellers are charged a 20-percent commission, of course being a sliding scale assuming price realized. The vast majority of auction businesses have a buyers premium, and, depending on how valuable the consignment, the majority have a sellers commission. Horst is fortunate to be in a region with a large amount of material to be sold and a large amount of people who collect, given the overall population, and has a positive reputation. It all matters in todays business climate, and you can be quite successful working off of small margins. The salesroom was packed both days. The above mentioned stove plate was dated 1758 and from Stiegels Elizabeth Furnace, which was located not far from Horsts facility. Henrich Wilhelm Stiegel (Henry William) was born in Cologne, Germany, in 1729. He immigrated to America at age 21. After two years in Philadelphia, he moved to Lancaster County and worked for Jacob Huber. Stiegel married Hubers daughter, Elizabeth. In 1758, Huber died and Stiegel along with business partners took ownership of Hubers forge, later to be named Elizabeth Furnace. The plate was a side plate from a jamb (five-plate) stove, surviving in overall good condition, and sold to a local collector. Stiegel was also known for operating a glassworks and was a founding member of the German Society of Pennsylvania. This organization lent aid to newly arriving Germans. Stiegel died at age 55 in 1785. The Stiegel name is far from lost today in this part of the state. The Manheim Historical Society is an active group and fortunate to have member support and acquisition funds. It was one of the underbidders. The buyer of the stove plate also purchased a long rifle and four Aaron Zook dioramas. The long gun was a flintlock by Henry DuHuff, an early Lancaster gunsmith ($4,000), and the combined price for the dioramas was $10,650. The sale consisted of antique country accessories such as baskets, butter prints, tinware, pottery, and textiles. In the latter category, 31 lots were owned by the late Tex Johnson. Needlework samplers, sewing tools, such as bird top sewing clamps, pin cushions, some English, were all sold. A grouping of Stahl pottery did well, as did several lots of Cowden & Wilcox stoneware. A C&W batter jug with bird decoration realized $7,800, going to the trade. The cobalt had a slightly blurred appearance otherwise could have easily done better, according to one collector in the salesroom. A historical document sold on day two, a rare 18th century Lancaster County (Governor John Penn) order pertained to the Conestoga Indians. The framed document with envelope (June 15, 1764) signed by Penn was written to Jacob Wislar (Wissler) appointing him as superintendent to care for the Indians that had settled on unsold lands of Conestoga Manor in Manor Township. This order was to vacate all persons who have/shall presume to settle or commit any waste upon the part of the manor referred to as Indiantown. This was following murders the year before. Following an 1763 uprising by Chief Pontiac and the Ottawa Nation in northwestern Pennsylvania and through the Great Lakes region, tensions were heightened. A group of vigilantes attacked Indians that were settled in Conestoga Township. A group of 10 members of the tribe were placed into Lancaster Prison (or workhouse) with the intent of safety but were murdered there on Dec. 14, 1763. Jacob Wissler (1738-97) was born in Lancaster County, a miller by trade, and worked at the Sam Herr Mill. He was appointed and served as superintendent for five years, later moving to York County and eventually returning to Donegal Township. In summary, the letter, on behalf of Penn pertained to Wislar and surviving members of the Conestoga Tribe of the Susquehanna Nation. The document was purchased online for $8,140 by Tom Ryan, Director Emeritus on behalf of LancasterHistory, and is being included in the museums current public exhibition, Thieves and Vagabonds: A History of Law and Justice in Lancaster County. For museum hours, visit www.lancasterhistory.org. It is located at 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, Pa. The underbidder was private collector Mike Miller. According to Brent Horst, the companys next catalog sale is being scheduled for the first weekend in April. It will likely take place Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5. To learn more about this or future sales, call 717-738-3080.