Huge Antique Collection For Sale

With a click of the mouse an auction house is bringing an international spotlight to a local livestock yard. But, instead of steers, collectors are snatching up precious antiques. News On 6's Jeffrey Smith reports collectors say it's a sign of the future.

This weekend international eyes and international wallets are focused on Bristow, Oklahoma.

When Helen Johnston passed away she left thousands of collectibles behind.

"We have people all over the world who are bidding on these great pieces," said Skye Mcniel, Johnston's great-granddaughter.

When it came time to sell the stuff, Mcniel turned to the World Wide Web.

"This is the first time we've had an introduction to the online auction and man, that's amazing, there are people everywhere buying," said Mcniel.

"We've got one gentleman from Germany who has bought over 30 items," said Brad White with Auction Network.

A company called Auction Network is streaming the three day event live. They've done auctions in Times Square and Hollywood. Now, they're operating out of a steer barn in Bristow. But, the response speaks for itself.

"We're broadcasting it live throughout the world. We have over 150 bidders online, actively bidding, and competing with everyone who is here live," said White.

Thousands of collectibles are up for sale including glassware, stemware, furniture, jewelry, and even antique dolls. The auction has one simple rule.

"Open to anyone and everyone who has money," said White.

The buyers span the globe. Collectors in England, Canada and Israel have logged on. Here at home, buyers from twenty states have heard the sweet sounds of "sold" from behind their computer screen.

"I want to get the pieces that were her favorite, because those are the things I remember her teaching me about, the wave crest boxes, the glove boxes," said Mcniel.

Mcniel says it's a proud day. With the help of a mouse and a silver-tongued salesman, her family's legacy will be spread all the way from Bristow to Berlin.

The auction ends on Sunday at the Mid-America Farm Center in Bristow.