Well, the Machacek auction is completed. And what an auction it was. Dave Machacek and I worked (along with others) for over a week to get the auction ready. It looked wonderful. Marilyn’s collections were displayed in a way fitting their quality. Time and time again, I overheard people telling their stories: about how Marilyn had introduced them to a certain type of collectible, about how Marilyn had found a certain mug for them, about how Marilyn watched out for unusualy Northfield items. Marilyn always had time to talk to people and to share her knowledge without expecting something in return. This kind of good will comes back to you. People came to Marilyn’s auction ready to bid.

We had a good turn out both days and the bidding was spirited. (See the photo gallery from Saturday.) It was a large auction and I was really fortunate to have so much good help. My wife Barb has been helping me since we started 20+ years ago. My sons Nathan and Aaron and Aaron’s friend Sarah provided floor work.

Our good friends Jerry and Diana Kokoschke (above) from Blooming Prairie both helped, Jerry with selling coins and “ringing” and Diana with clerking. Jerry and Diana are multi-talented, being teachers, auctioneers, and travel planners. We were fortunate to also have help and assistance from Don Parker, Dr Halvorson, Bruce Dennison, and Mary Cay Longley.

I want to make special thanks to Larry Valek (below), my friend and co-auctioneer from Northfield.

I developed laryngitis the morning of the auction for the first time in my life, and Larry stepped in and called bids for the majority of the auction. Although Larry has been auctioneering for a number of years, his background has included a lot more farm machinery than fine glassware. He stepped right in and sold glassware, china, dolls, and everything else.

Well we are putting the finishing touches on the Machacek auction which will be in Northfield on October 18 and 19. This will be the biggest auction of the year so far. I have been working on finishing the catalog.

Marilyn Machacek was a special lady. I was privileged to know her and learn from her for many years. I knew that she was a long time collector, but I had no idea just how wide her interest were. Even if you are not going to be able to attend the auction, please take advantage of the opportunity to view some exquisite items that you will probably never have a chance to see again under the Marilyn Machacek section of our site. Some of the items such as the flint glass are so old that most people have never encountered them and would not recognize them if they saw them. This is a good chance to learn about some of these rare and unusual items. Some of these items date back to before the Civil War. Just think about it. Before electricity, before electric lights, before TV or radio, before World War I was even imagined. Lincoln’s contemporaries were eating and drinking from the flint glass tumblers and the silverplate serving pieces. This may be your chance to own a piece of history. There are souvenirs of Northfield that date back to when St John’s church was still St Johannes. This is the kind of auction that doesn’t happen very often. We have worked really hard to make this auction special. Come and be a part of it.

As many of you know, the Machacek family has a tradition of sharing their special hobby (steam engines ) with the Northfield community. Jim and Marilyn have been hosting a “steam-up” event for as long as I can remember. This year is no exception. Jim and his family will be running their steam engine on the weekend of October 11 and 12 in Northfield. We have been working to get the auction items ready for display for a special preview by their friends on October 11 and 12. Come and enjoy a great auction and a piece of Southern Minnesota history on October 18 and 19. The auction will be held in the Odd Fellows Lodge across Hwy 19 from Malt O Meal here in Northfield.