THE "VENDUE" OR COUNTRY SALE

Country sales or "vendues" were social as well as economic events in the local community, where large crowds gathered to bid on items and marvel at the glib and amusing patter of the "Fendu-Groyer" or auctioneer. The crowds partook of comestible as well as liquid refreshments, which heightened the bidding competition. And they socialized and carried on business deals of their own as they watched the crowds.

PUBLIC SALE OF FARM GOODS. Among things up for bid in this 1824 public auction of Samuel Haller's property were cattle and swine, a table and chairs, and "a great variety of household goods and farm implements, too numerous to mention." A broad-wheeled "plantation wagon" (farms were called plantations in the North and the South) also came up for sale.

PATENTED PIE-CRIMPER. Improved farm implements and numerous household appliances were developed in the Dutch Country, produced in small machine shops and factories, and sold throughout the countryside. From the partnership of two Dutchmen living in the modest town of Sheridan in Lebanon County came this device, patented in 1866, for trimming dough for pie, the Pennsylvania Dutchman’s favorite dessert.

ADMINISTRATOR'S SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY. This large illustrated sale bill, printed by Paschall Brothers in Doylestown around 1875, advertised the auction of Levi C. Clymer's estate. Among the distinctly Pennsylvania Dutch items going on the block were a sausage stuffer and lard press, milk cans and pans for the springhouse diary, lard kettles (everyone fried with lard in those days), apple butter, vinegar, and cider for vinegar by the barrel.

THE FIRST HORSE SALE OF THE NEW YEAR. For this sale Aaron Fretz, of a Bucks County Mennonite family, served as auctioneer and Ed. Doan as clerk. Larzelere, who owned the business, noted at the bottom of the sheet that in addition to the horses to be sold at auction, he had “Thirty Head of very Extra Mules, just arrived from Illinois,” for private sale at his stables. The broadside was printed in 1877 by H. T. Darlington & Co., Steam-Power Job-Printers, Doylestown, Pennsylvania.