DALLAS — Leslie Horoshko unlocked the Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction barn’s big red doors revealing furniture from the roaring 1920s and small collectibles slated to cross the auction block later this week.
This year’s auction stash includes a variety of wooden chairs, some with caning in perfect condition; old sewing machines inside wooden boxes, china cabinets and smaller items such as a metal bread box, a Spatterware bowl and Royal Dalton character jugs, just to name a few.
Horoshko, the antique chairwoman, began collecting donations from area families and hunting down antiques and unique items from local auctions since March. Her efforts have resulted in over 400 pieces for the 70th annual Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction, scheduled for July 7-10.
Some of her eclectic items include a book front cabinet that opens into a desk and computer workstation, a Tiffany-styled dragonfly lamp plus a “Sleepy eye pitcher.”
Local donations include a hand-painted floral design on a wooden plank from Hayfield House, a 50-year-old children’s red and white metal tricycle and a 1920s-style wooden cabinet.
“I will continue receiving donations until the first day of the auction,” Horoshko said.
The public can preview the collection starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 7. Then the four-day auction will kick off at 6 p.m., she said.
“There are no reserve prices,” she said. “Bidding starts at whatever people can offer.”
One particular donated item always brings much interest and a high price tag is Sue Hand’s annual live painting of the auction, Horoshko said.
Hand, a Dallas-based artist, teacher and business owner, paints the auction scene from a different vantage point every year, Horoshko said.
“I have seen her paintings sell for $7,000 to $8,000,” Horoshko said.
All auction sales are donated to the library. The fundraising event grosses about $90,000, which includes sales from the auction, book, jewelry, “Nearly Old,” plant and other tents, Horoshko said.
But the main attraction has always been the auction.
“I wish I had one of those time-lapse cameras,” Horoshko said. “People start setting up their (lawn) chairs almost two days before the auction. Sometimes they tie them together with string.”