After a bit of scurrying, our not so silent auction got under way. Past President Bill Kantymir pushed for a shift to a live auction to encourage more active bidding. The auction built up steam over the next hour and a half as Bill shown at left, and Ed Warner worked their way through the selection of 50 - 60 lots from the Shean Collection.

Shown at left is Ed Warner giving an enthusiastic performance in the art of auctioneering. The decision to switch from a silent auction format to a live auction pressed Ed into the role of prime auctioneer.

Shortly after the auction got underway, President Mike Robinson arrived directly from the class he teaches at Ryerson Polytech University with a few more lots of antiquites to add to the evening's efforts.

Shown here are some of the many items auctioned to enthusiastic bidders including Bill Kantymir, Sheldon Chan, Gunther Ott, Bob Wilson, Ron Anger, and many others.

The bidding and banter made for a lively evening. All lots opened at one quarter of the estimated value. Some of the original mail auction lots were regrouped, and at least one was split into two lots.

At the end of the auction the few remaining lots were offered once more at an even lower starting point and all but two sold.

The highlight of the evening was the sale of a lot represented by name only - a huge studio wet plate camera with stand and lens. The winning bidder mentioned that he had a studio camera in his collection but no stand.

We were pleased to see long term member Fred Hunt at the meeting. Mr. Hunt broke his leg last year, and complications resulted in his hospitalization on short notice. He was tracked down by Larry Boccioletti in a small hospital north of Toronto. Fred was recently discharged and returned to his home while continuing therapy sessions.

The auction began many weeks ago with the efforts of the auction team led by Bill Kantymir to choose and regroup selected lots from the mail auction to make an interesting selection for the evening.

The auction was conducted by Ed Warner and Bill Kantymir. Bob Wilson tracked the winners and payments, Stan White, Mike Robinson, Mark Singer and others assisted in organizing the lots for viewing and pick-up after bidding.

The lots received considerable scrutiny and interest by the prospective bidders. Thanks to the efforts of the auction team, the evening ended on a successful note for both the Shean estate, our society and the winning bidders.