A Golden Egg in Atlanta
The last time we were in Atlanta, it was 18 years ago during the month of August. Sally was pregnant with our son, Luke, and her ankles were swollen from the heat. We knew then why they call it “Hotlanta”. This visit was very different though. Luke is older and the weather is milder. This time we are in Atlanta for a new experience … a freight auction! We arrived in the cooler months so had no problems with the “hot” in the “lanta”.
The auction was one like we’d never seen before. It was a huge warehouse with rows upon rows of pallets. Each pallet had all kinds of items shrink-wrapped on it. Some of the things you could see … others you could not. The things that were in this auction ran the gambit: hot tub, automobile, ping pong tables and scores and scores of food, clothing, tools and militaria (some of the things we actually bid on, but didn’t necessarily win.) And what a FUN auction! Marcus, the auctioneer, rode on a mobile platform so that he could see the bidders. He stood high above us and we all just walked up and down every one of the 30 or so aisles, waiting for him to put the items we wanted up for bids. Most of the bidders were there to resell the items they bought, so prices were good. It’s always better for us to win an auction when our competition doesn’t want to take it home and keep it for them!
We were able to win the three Indonesian (not African panels, Billy!), as well as a great pallet with stuff formerly owned by who we thought was a “plumber by day and musician by night”. The golden egg in the lot was a box of record albums. Laurence collects records, so it was a great find for us. One in particular is worth a ridiculous amount as it is very rare. But what you won’t see on air is the KISS picture album that we are going to ask Gene Simmons to sign (he owns a rock ‘n’ roll restaurant/bar in El Segundo)!
- Laurence and Sally Martin
