Years ago, I was called in for a consultation at a small townhouse in Kirkland. The family had recently moved their mother into assisted living and needed help selling some remaining items from her home. She had once owned an antique shop, and what was left in the townhouse were remnants of her inventory.
To be honest, I wasn’t particularly excited about the visit. A townhome with leftover antiques didn’t sound like much of a find.
After walking through the property, it became clear that there weren’t enough items to justify an estate sale, and time was of the essence to get the home listed on the market. As I was preparing to leave, something caught my eye—a coat closet with its door ajar. On the floor, stacked neatly, were five medium-sized boxes labeled “old pens.”
I couldn’t just walk by without asking about them.
The family explained that their mother had rented a small section of her antique shop to a man who specialized in refurbishing and selling vintage pens. When he passed away, his family had no interest in the inventory and told their mother she could keep it. So, she packed everything into these boxes, where they had remained untouched for years.
Curious, I asked if I could take a look inside.
What I found was nothing short of incredible—an astonishing collection of antique fountain pens, along with vintage advertisements, ink bottles, gold nibs, desk sets, and even tools for repairing pens. It was a treasure trove of history, hidden in a hallway closet.
Despite the family’s skepticism, I offered to sell the collection through an online auction. They were surprised that I would even bother with what they considered to be “just old pens.”
But this auction turned out to be one of my all-time favorites.
The response was overwhelming. Collectors from around the world placed bids, and when the auction ended, the total sales exceeded $20,000. It was one of the rare occasions where we shipped items internationally, with packages heading to Canada, Greece, France, and all across the United States.
The family was thrilled—not only did the unexpected windfall cover the cost of cleaning out the townhouse, but it also provided extra funds for repairs to get the home market-ready.
I often think back to that consultation. It serves as a reminder that you never know what hidden gems might be waiting to be discovered. If given the chance, always take a second look—you might just uncover something extraordinary.