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Sunday, Aug. 16, 1998
Texas' unclaimed property stash auctioned off
Associated Press
AUSTIN -- Texas' big lost-and-found stash is unclaimed no more.
More than 900 antique dealers, estate jewelers, collectors and curious onlookers turned out Saturday for this year's Texas Unclaimed Property Auction by the Texas comptroller's office.
The turnout at the Travis County Exposition Center was a record for the event, which is held about every two years.
Officials had estimated the auction would bring in about $525,000, but said that might have been a conservative estimate.
Most of the 185,000 coins, watches, jewelry and other items sold were gathered from abandoned safe deposit boxes and turned over by banks from around the state.
Other items included a pair of antique opera glasses, a set of brass knuckles, silver belt buckles, lots of knives and cigarette lighters -- ``the things Texans keep in safe deposit boxes,'' auctioneer Ed Lanford told the Austin American-Statesman.
Benny Hawkins wiped his brow and sighed with relief Saturday, after making the winning bid for an antique Colt single-action pistol.
``My grandfather had one just like this,'' Hawkins told newspaper. ``It got outside of our immediate family, so I had hoped to eventually get one just like it. So this is special.''
The weapon, valued by appraisers at about $600, was auctioned off for $1,325.
If the property owners or their heirs show up to claim their belongings, they will receive the proceeds from Saturday's auction.Post your comments about Texas newsFront Page || Main Index || News || Business || Texas || South Texas Outdoors || Birdwatching || Sports || Entertainment || Selena || Education || South Texas Attractions || World Wide Web