Historical and Museum Commission to Sell Items at Public Auction, Saturday, November 18

Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) invites the public to an auction of deaccessioned items from its collection on Saturday, November 18 at 10:00 AM. The auction will take place at Cordier Auctions & Appraisals, 1500 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA. Potential buyers can preview items on Friday, November 17 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM and from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM the day of the auction.  

The available items were formerly held at the Drake Well Museum, Ephrata Cloister, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Washington Crossing Historic Park, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania State Archives. 
 
Highlights of the auction, which features more than 6,000 items, includes 19th century weathervane depicting a cut steel horse and rider, 19th Century relic long guns, a Pennsylvania blanket chest circa 1788, a Stoneware jug, more than 100 maps from the Pennsylvania State Archives featuring 18th and early 19th century views of Pennsylvania counties, pin-back buttons displaying political, products and organizations and a variety of furnishings, sewing, farming, books, and railroad-related items. A complete inventory list of items to be sold is available at www.CordierAuction.com.
 
The pieces being sold have no special significance to the history of the Commonwealth or duplicate what is already in the state’s collection.
 
Prior to being consigned for sale, the objects were offered to other PHMC properties, state agencies and other historic museums.  Money raised from the auction may only be used to buy or conserve artifacts that enhance the PHMC's mission of preserving the Commonwealth's natural and cultural heritage as steward, teacher, and advocate for the people of Pennsylvania.
 
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the commonwealth’s official history agency. Visit PHMC online at www.phmc.pa.gov.
 
MEDIA CONTACT:  Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639
 
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