One of the most rewarding aspects of what we do is connecting historically significant items with the people or organizations that truly value them.
Online auctions are an incredible tool for this. Often, unique or meaningful pieces remain tucked away in someone’s home for years—even decades—without their full significance being recognized. It’s not until these items are brought to a broader audience that their true importance comes to light, allowing them to find the right home.
A recent example illustrates this perfectly. We hosted an auction that featured a hand-painted poster commemorating the 1962 charter of the King County Sheriff’s Air Squadron. This piece detailed the origins of the squadron, which has served the community ever since.
The winning bidder didn’t purchase the poster for personal use—instead, she was determined to see it returned to its roots. She contacted King County, where a representative from the Sheriff’s Department’s social media team responded enthusiastically. Coincidentally, he had just shared a post outlining the department’s history, culminating in today’s cutting-edge helicopters and rescue equipment.
Thanks to our buyer’s initiative, the poster has now been delivered to the King County Sheriff’s Department, where it will be proudly displayed for the public to enjoy.
This story is a reminder that it’s not always about the final sale price. Sometimes, the greatest value lies in reconnecting a lost piece of history with those who can preserve and honor it.
These are the moments that bring me the greatest joy.