Absentee bids let you place your maximum bid on an item before the live auction begins. During the live show, we’ll continue bidding on your behalf up to your max bid — just like leaving a bid with a traditional auctioneer.
When you place an absentee bid, you’ll choose a bid strategy. Your chosen strategy determines how the current bid will be set at the time your bid is placed. Your maximum bid always remains confidential.
The available strategies are:
🐢 Slow & Steady — starts your bid low and lets others chase you.
⚡💥 Power Bid — starts at about half your max to show intent without revealing your top number.
♥️♠️ All In ♦️♣️ — sets the current bid to your full bid amount right away.
The current bid shown on each lot reflects all confirmed absentee bids and updates automatically as new bids come in.
When the live auction starts, bidding will begin at the current bid. The auctioneer will continue bidding on behalf of absentee bidders up to their max bids.
Because absentee bids can arrive seconds apart, the current bid you see may not always include bids still being processed. Refresh the page for the most up-to-date information.
For our full absentee bid policy, please click here.
Bidding Quick Facts
How bidding works
All items have a minimum bid of $1.00.
When "No Bids" is displayed, it means no absentee bids have been placed on this item yet.
Once bids are placed, the current bid will be displayed instead.
For more information on the bidding process, please click here.
Bid Successfully Submitted!
Your absentee bid for Lot 165 - Grouping Of Four Antique And Vintage Tools Including John Rabone & Sons 50 Ft Tape Measure, 5-1/4" Diameter, And Three Pottery Tools, 7-1/2" L Each was successfully submitted—thank you for bidding with us!
The current bid displayed will not update immediately. You will receive a confirmation email shortly.
You may continue to place additional bids.
For our full absentee bid policy, please review the Auction Rules.
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Lot 165 - Grouping Of Four Antique And Vintage Tools Including John Rabone & Sons 50 Ft Tape Measure, 5-1/4" Diameter, And Three Pottery Tools, 7-1/2" L Each
Lot 165 - Grouping Of Four Antique And Vintage Tools Including John Rabone & Sons 50 Ft Tape Measure, 5-1/4" Diameter, And Three Pottery Tools, 7-1/2" L Each
Collection of four tools comprising an antique John Rabone & Sons tape measure from Birmingham, England, and three vintage woodworkers scraping tools. The tape measure features leather case marked "Warranted / Sound & Accurate / 50 Ft No 2811" with brass winding mechanism and locking device, measuring tape marked "British Applied For," and shows significant wear including leather crackling and surface loss. Three Shave Hook woodworkers scraping tools feature matching turned wood handles and steel blades in triangular, spade, and pointed configurations for scraping different wood profiles. Tools show surface rust, oxidation, and honest wear consistent with age and use. Item dimensions of tape measure.