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Farm Auction 1984

During the 1980’s farms in Canada and the US were in crisis. There were many foreclosures. The photographs in this series are from two farm auctions photographed over Easter, 1984, in the Harlington District and the Alpine District of the Swan River Valley. One auction is an elderly couple retiring from farming. The other auction is at a farm that had been foreclosed. They are similar; both selling the smaller equipment and an accumulation of farm and domestic items. In the case of the retirement, the collection from a simple life. The foreclosure selling everything not repossessed.

Beyond that, the photographs are not about the farm crisis, and I have made no effort to identify one sale from the other. They are about conversations, neighbours, bargains and treasures.

Sadly, due to pandemic/economic pressures, farm auctions have moved online. So, make your own hot dog and a cup of weak coffee in a styrofoam cup. Sit down at the computer and wait for your item to come up. But that box of junk with the Depression glass sugar bowl at the bottom? It’s probably gone for good. Good luck with your bid !

These sales was done by Husenetter Auctions.

 

“Hey well all right sir, open the gate and let ’em out and walk ’em boys.
Here we come a lot number twenty-nine in. What are you gonna give for ’em
I have a 25 I ought-a get 35 and now a 50 make it 50 bid it along at 50
Now 60 will ya’ give me 60 now 75 and now 85 and now 95 a hundred and now 25
And now it’s at 75 and a 2 and a 3 and a 4 and a 5 and a 6 now 7 now 80 dollars
And a buy ’em”

  • The Auctioneer Song – Leroy Van Dyke

 

Notes …  Clicking on an image will give you a full screen view. Comment section comments may not be posted immediately but are appreciated, do not panic. Contact and subscription information is at the bottom of the home page.

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Lyle Husenetter, auctioneer

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5 Responses

  1. Another great exhibition, Rob! I love the “double leans” and ballcap ubiquity in the first photo, and the juxtaposition of the fella on versus behind the concrete pipe in a later photo. Great idea to mix in the two auctions as well to get us thunking a bit. Thanks for reconstructing the unfortunate business of farm forclosures for us.

  2. I loved the picture of all the vehicles lined up along the gravel road. I so remember that — even if you didn’t know there was an auction sale before when you drove down the road it was obvious.

    Glen B.’s comment about the “ballcap ubiquity” was almost exactly what I was going to say. I couldn’t make out what most of them said but I’ll bet most them advertised some farm equipment manufacturer or seed dealer or another associated farm business. Those farmers wouldn’t have been buying their headwear.

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