July 2015 Final Web

Jim the Eclectic Collector
Born and raised in Lancaster County, PA, Jim lived in an area where antiques were plentiful
and the Amish and Mennonite traditions and customs were strong and their furnishings and tools
dated back to the 1700’s. As a young boy, Jim started going to Public Farm and Home Auction
Sales with his father. His father would always bid on the whole attic or cellar of the house because
one could buy them cheap, no one else wanted them, and even the auctioneers didn’t want to get
dirty. They often had different critters like rodents, snakes, spiders, and ground hogs in them.
Some cellars were damp because of springs. Jim would get the job of cleaning out these areas
and finding various items. In attics, he remembers finding bottles of wine, spices, smoked meats,
guns, dishes, furniture, and just about anything that people wanted to keep in dry storage. In cellars,
Jim found crocks filled with pickles and sauerkraut, and many canned vegetables and fruits;
remember this was the refrigerator in the olden days. He remembers finding a wooden keg of root
beer and drank so much, he was sick for three days. Jim also found money. It took him a while
to catch on to his father’s philosophy: If Jim finds it and digs it out, father keeps it. Dad did not
believe in sharing. After Jim realized this, he kept some of the money for himself.
Jim became interested in Nautical, Waterman, and Pirate items later after being involved with
the Mel Fisher family and the Spanish Galleon, the Atocha in Key West, FL. He has collected
objects up and down the East Coast and in the Caribbean Islands. Puerto Rico is one of his favorite
places to find unusual items. According to Jim, it is really the hunt to find unique items and
learn the history behind them that is the most fun. He also shares some of his collection with the
public by lending objects to museums and visitor centers in North Carolina. Now it is time to sell
his collection and move on to other things. He hopes others enjoy the objects as much as he has.
As you look for your treasures, it’s not the price you pay, it’s the enjoyment you get from the
hunt and the pleasure you receive from looking at the objects, no matter how large or small the
item is. Always looking for that next treasure, Jim Butz, Grandy, NC
Phone # :
2525620987
Cree small tactical flashlight.
Runs off of AA battery and is
really bright. Local hardware has
these at $6.99 but visit River City
Computers and we will sell you
one for $5.99
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