Serendipity

During the week I visited an auction that I hadn't been to in quite some time.  It takes place every Thursday and is well attended. The first half of the sale is a mixture of bric-a-brac, household items and second hand furniture, and usually go for reasonably affordable prices. The second half of the sale is a little more 'upmarket', artwork, rugs and fancy furniture.  I really enjoy an auction, and i had the afternoon to myself to have a good look around, pick a few things to bid on, and sit back and listen to the wide assortment of characters that this sort of event attracts. Dealers and traders, newbies and dabblers, old geezers and total nutjobs, they're all there.

I bought this trunk, for a little more than i had intended. I had decided a maximum price I would pay. I don't always stick to the sensible rule of never getting carried away during the bidding, and I had already broken the rule of really examining the item closely before you bid.  I had successfully bid on a mixed box of bric-a-brac, and would have to wait until auction end to pick it up, so in for a penny in for a pound, i was going to fill the car up! 

The bidding started very low, and moves very fast. You can't always see who is bidding against you, this is sometimes because you are bidding against a bid that has been left with the autioneer prior to the sale. When the auctioneer reached my top price, I shook my head and pulled out, pleased with my self for being professional and stopping at my limit. The price went up by a further €4 and then down came the gavel, and he pointed it at me to take my name! Now it does move fast, but i was clearly out, and i was a bit put out at him upping the price on me, but he's the sort of guy that would happily embarrass you in front of the crowd, so i went with it. 

When i went to pick my things up at the end of the auction, I had a chance to examine the trunk in more detail. It was probably made from plywood, covered in red vinyl with a sort 60's crazed pattern on it. It was very sturdy with strong wooded ribs on top and all sides, had two leather handles and metal bound edges. Both latches worked, even though they looked a bit rusted, inside was lined in a printed paper. There was a whiff of damp and mothballs. It would need a good clean and an even better airing.

It was sunny when I got home and I set about cleaning it up straight away, and letting it air in the sunshine. It looked good when I was finished.

The sun shone at the car boot sale, and the trunk aired some more. A young couple pitched up beside me. They too had a trunk for sale, different to mine. She came to have a look at my trunk to compare. When she saw it she squealed at her boyfriend "It's Isobels trunk" and asked me excitedly if I'd found a note inside it. 

They had been at the same auction several weeks before and had seen the trunk where Isobel had fallen for it, but they had missed the bidding. They tried to convince the auctioneer to give them the number of the buyer, but he wouldn't. They ended up putting a note into the trunk with Isobel's number saying if the new owner changed their mind and wanted to sell it, please call.

Whoever bought the trunk then, either didn't collect, or changed their mind, but i ended up bring it home ...noteless, and brought it to the car boot sale which is not even  in the same county as the auction house.

Isobel was phoned and came and collected her prized possession. I hope it lives up to her expectations. Sometimes the one that got away becomes a much more desirable piece. I know that feeling very well.

It felt like it was going to a good home, and a good excuse to have a post with a nice title. 

Serendipity ....'unexpected good fortune' or 'a happy accident' for both me and Isobel'. 

SOLD.

Linking with Her Library Adventures, The Penny Worthy Project and Magpie Monday