J. Bear Savo

BEHIND THE BLOCK: Pitches for auction-themed movies

BEHIND THE BLOCK: Pitches for auction-themed movies

Oddly enough, there is a lack of auction-themed motion pictures in the vast library of cinema. Sure, there are plenty of movies in which auctions occur, but there aren’t any feature films that concentrate on auctions and/or auctioneers. Perhaps Hollywood producers don’t think that the auction world is intriguing or sexy enough for the silver […]

 J. Bear Savo

BEHIND THE BLOCK: Old homes, baboons with hammers, and the shrink ray

BEHIND THE BLOCK: Old homes, baboons with hammers, and the shrink ray

When I look upon the magnificence of the Scranton Cultural Center or the majesty of the Nicholson Bridge, I wonder how the generation that created such wonders in the first part of the 20th century could also create some of the dumbest, most asinine, ball-busting houses ever made. I become bewildered at how an American […]

 J. Bear Savo

BEHIND THE BLOCK: Poe’s time machine and other ‘collectible’ silliness

I was working a charity appraisal fair when a woman ran up to my table clutching a small book in a sandwich bag. “I was told you’re the man to see about old books,” she beamed. I nodded. “Then you’re going to love this! It’s a book of poems and short stories by Edgar Allan […]

 J. Bear Savo

BEHIND THE BLOCK: Overt bidding techniques

As discussed in this column’s inaugural article, certain auction-goers feel the need to employ stealthy bidding techniques so as not to be shadowed by rookies or be bid against out of spite. Conversely, there are certain auction-goers that use overt bidding techniques designed to intimidate their competition. As an auctioneer, I have witnessed inexperienced bidders […]

 J. Bear Savo

BEHIND THE BLOCK: Auction jargon judgements

BEHIND THE BLOCK: Auction jargon judgements

Every industry has its jargon; auctioneering is no exception. Block, gavel, hammer price… blah, blah, blah. Most auction vocabulary causes me no distress. There are, however, four words that vex me, not because they exist, but because of the muddled rules and sometimes flagrant disregard about how to spell them. So I am laying down […]

 J. Bear Savo

BEHIND THE BLOCK: Stealthy bidding techniques

The auction business encompasses far more than the stuff that’s offered up for bid. There are precise methods, an elemental madness, and an intrinsic humanity that are inherent in the industry. My name is J. Bear Savo, auctioneer and co-owner of Savo Auctioneers, LLC in Archbald. Each week, Behind the Block will explore the facets […]