Auction action honors collector Larry Dalke
By MICHELLE BOSWORTH
Staff writer
As a retiring elementary school teacher, Larry Dalke was in the process of moving back to the Hillsboro area from Topeka when he was killed April 2, 1999, in an automobile accident. His twin brother, Jerry, mourned so deeply he couldn't look at or touch the antiques stored at his homestead; antiques collected by Larry over a period of at least 25 years.
Sometimes the brothers traveled together in their quest to view Europe. Sometimes Larry would visit foreign countries on his own. He left his footprints in Berlin, Hungary, Russia, England, and Czechoslovakia. He often returned with interesting items.
Besides traveling, Larry enjoyed socializing at auctions and garage sales when he wasn't bidding on something that captured his fancy. He was well known by antique dealers, auctioneers, and other buyers as he catered to his hobby and made the auction rounds.
— SUSAN MARSHALL of Marshall Auction Service remarked, "Larry was a good customer of ours."
Although for years Jerry couldn't stand to deal with Larry's collection, eventually he faced the collectibles and the memories of his lost brother.
"Now he is ready to write that chapter," said Vi Dalke, Jerry's wife.
Sorting through the various items, Jerry often wondered where Larry had picked things up. He puzzled over his brother's choices. Why did Larry have an over-abundance of planes, levels, and brass nozzles? What was he thinking when he bought each antique or piece of furniture?
Even though some of the questions still prevail, cleaning glassware, polishing furniture, and going through a barnfull of collectibles with family members helped Jerry through the mourning process.
"It was his final goodbye to Larry," said Vi. "Jerry went through a lot of emotions going through the things."
Larry's legacy continues to enrich the lives of others. He was a man who loved a good auction, chatting with folks, and lugging home his treasures. His family decided auctioning his collection would provide those same opportunities for people who share Larry's interests.
"This auction is unique," said Marshall. "Some families may have some things in their basement or attic, but this one has a lot of unique stuff."
Larry's family kept a few items they knew he really enjoyed, like the pump organ, cylinder roll, secretary desk, and various pieces of glassware. The lion's share of Larry's collection, from the Aulne school bell to an over-the-shoulder immigrant bucket carrier, a cast iron coffee grinder, Schaeffler advertisement, depression glass, and a handmade wooden toy set, was auctioned off Saturday in the commercial building at the Marion County Fairgrounds.
People came from all over Kansas as well as New Mexico, Colorado, and central California to gather special treasures.
Successful bidders smiled as they hauled their newly-acquired possessions to waiting vehicles.
Antique dealers waited patiently for their choices to come up for bid. Children fingered old-fashioned toys, while toddlers ran and played. Folks caught up on the latest gossip as they sipped coffee, and auctioneers, along with their helpers, kept items swiftly moving out of the building.
Undoubtedly, Larry would have been pleased to know he was the catalyst for such activity. The joy he experienced when he heard the word, "Sold!" as the auctioneer pointed to him now has been successfully transferred to another generation of antique-lovers, creating a fitting, final goodbye.
