35th Annual Spring Auction
It was “good to see friends from other clubs like Tri-Valley, Mid Peninsula, etc.” – SJAA’s Bill O’Neil
2015 Auction. Credit for all photos goes to Ed Wong unless otherwise stated. Thanks Ed.
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A Little History
Computer Auction Organizer JVN over a decade ago. Credit Dan Wright.
Kevin Medlock started off the auction with a little history. The San Jose Astronomical Association’s First Auction was held 35 years ago at a Red Cross building in Los Gatos. The Red Cross is no longer there but the building still is. And there was a large crowd anticipating this first auction. But back then there was no computer or pizza to make the day go easier. In later years when SJAA did finally have an IBM computer to keep track of buys and sells for 100’s of items it was still a slow process. Jim Van Nuland recalls one seller who brought in over a 100 items(!) and then accidentally put one on the auction block at a low price. He had to buy it back by out-bidding everyone else.
Upfront Thanks
35 years later, SJAA has better computers but generations of new volunteer Board members and “better” software still can make the day a lot of work for our organizers. A special thanks to the SJAA Board, our Auctioneer Kevin Medlock and snack organizer Marianne Damon. You guys made it real, fun, made it real fun!
 Seated left to right: Dave Ittner, Rob Jaworski and Teruo Utsumi |
 Kevin Medlock |
Snacks provided by Marianne Damon
Results
This year we had 156 items for auction. SJAA sold $3,749 worth of stuff and Sellers sold $4,887. Congratulations to both Buyers and Sellers. Below are a few pics of the day.
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 Credit M. Packer |
Below Left: Lee talking to private bidder from Russia.
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Thanks to all of you for joining – see you in the field and at next auction!
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