Courtesy
Stephen Barrie

‘People don’t have room anymore for large dining sets or bedroom suites’

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

In the heart of Richmond, Stephen Barrie continues a family legacy of auctioneering and antiquing that spans more than four decades. With roots in the Eastern Townships, Barrie and his family have built a thriving business in the unique and evolving world of antiques. In a recent interview, Barrie provided an insightful look at the challenges and joys of running an antique auction business, reflecting on the state of the market, local trends, and what it means to keep history alive through treasured pieces.

When Barrie speaks about antiques, it’s with a sense of both nostalgia and expertise. Having spent over 35 years in the antiquing and auctioneering business, Barrie is well-versed in the trade’s nuances. He officially took over his family’s auction business a decade ago, but his involvement started long before that, tagging along to auctions since he was a boy. His parents, Brian and Heather Barrie, began their foray into auctioneering and antiques in the early 1980s, operating primarily out of Richmond and the surrounding Eastern Townships.

“We’ve been in operation since the early ’80s, and my wife and I took over the business from my parents about 10 years ago,” Barrie said, referencing his family’s long history with the trade. “My parents were always passionate about collecting, and it was something they passed down to me.”

The business, now officially under Barrie’s leadership, continues to thrive, even as it adapts to the evolving market. Over the years, it has grown to become an integral part of the local community, offering a window into the past for collectors, history enthusiasts, and those simply in search of unique home décor.

A family tradition with deep roots

Barrie’s parents recently retired from their active role in the business, marking the occasion with a massive auction event held at the end of August. The sale liquidated over 50 years’ worth of antiques and collectibles his parents had amassed, housed primarily in a large three-story barn on their property, which had once belonged to Barrie’s grandparents.

“Over the years, that barn filled up with all kinds of unique pieces, especially advertising signage, tins, and general store merchandise,” Barrie shared. “My dad was really into advertising, so a lot of the collection focused on that.”

The collection, sold off in a two-day auction event, was a mix of rare finds and cherished pieces, marking the end of an era for the senior Barries. However, Stephen and his wife remain committed to keeping the family business alive, regularly holding auctions in the region.

“We advertise in The Sherbrooke Record regularly and still host both live and online auctions,” Barrie said. “We focus mainly on Canadiana and Quebecois antiques, which are always in demand.”

The legacy of the Barrie family’s auction house is deeply intertwined with the local culture of the Eastern Townships, known for its rich history and heritage. As Barrie continues to operate the business, he recognizes that their role in preserving this history goes beyond merely selling items—it’s about storytelling. Each item has its own history, and through the auctioning process, those stories get passed on to new owners who appreciate their cultural and historical significance.

Navigating a changing market

The world of antiques isn’t what it used to be. With the rise of platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and other online selling venues, pricing antiques has become a complex task. For experienced auctioneers like Barrie, determining the value of an item involves more than just knowing its age or origin. In today’s market, there’s a balancing act between the seller’s expectations and the buyers’ willingness to pay.

“It’s much harder to price items in 2024,” Barrie explained. “Everyone has a different idea of what their things are worth. One person might want $1,000 for a chest of drawers, while another would take $200. It can be really inconsistent.”

The influx of online sellers has democratized the market in some ways, giving individuals more control over the sales process. However, this has also introduced challenges. Barrie notes that many people come to his auctions with preconceived ideas about their items’ value, often inflated by the prices they see online.

“What we like about auctions is that you get a true sense of what people are willing to pay,” Barrie said. “Sometimes the auction price surprises everyone—an item could bring in much more than expected, or it could fall short of the seller’s hopes. Either way, it’s the fairest method for both parties.”

Despite the convenience and reach of online auctions, Barrie remains a steadfast advocate for live auctions, which he believes offer a unique excitement and community atmosphere that’s difficult to replicate virtually. This method not only preserves the traditions of auctioneering but also fosters a sense of connection among participants.

“During COVID, we had no choice but to switch to online auctions, and while they worked, I much prefer live auctions,” he admitted. “There’s something about gathering people in a room and feeling that energy.”

Local focus with a global reach

Although Barrie sources many items from the Eastern Townships, the reach of his business extends beyond local borders. Over the years, he’s traveled to Ottawa and other regions to bring unique pieces to his customers. However, the heart of his collection comes from the older homes and estates in the Townships, a region that boasts some of the oldest properties in Quebec.

“We’re fortunate that there are still a lot of bigger, older homes in the Townships,” he said. “These homes often contain amazing furniture and antiques from over a century ago.”

Barrie specializes in Quebec-made furniture from the 1800s, a highly sought-after category. “If you can find furniture from the 1830s to 1850s, especially Quebec-made, you’ve got something special,” he noted. “That kind of craftsmanship is rare, and those pieces are typically in private collections or museums.”

Unfortunately, not all vintage furniture holds its value. Items from the 1930s and 1940s, which are much more common, are often difficult to sell in today’s market. Barrie attributes this to changing tastes and the smaller size of modern homes. “People just don’t have room for large dining sets or bedroom suites,” he explained. “It’s a different world now.”

Another significant shift Barrie has observed is the changing preferences of younger buyers. “Younger generations are more minimalist and tend to prefer modern styles,” he noted. “They’re less likely to invest in large, ornate pieces of furniture, and that’s contributed to the downturn in the furniture market.”

The hot items in today’s antique market

While the market for furniture may be struggling, certain categories of antiques remain in high demand. Advertising memorabilia, especially from the early to mid-20th century, is incredibly popular. Collectors are willing to pay top dollar for signs, packaging, and promotional items that evoke the aesthetics and nostalgia of bygone eras.

“Anything related to advertising, especially Coca-Cola signs, oil cans, and petroliana, is hot right now,” Barrie said. “If you have a Coca-Cola cooler in good condition, it could be worth several thousand dollars.”

Oil and gas-related items (petroliana), such as signage and memorabilia from brands like Mobil and Esso, are fetching high prices, driven largely by nostalgia. “Baby boomers who grew up seeing these brands now have the disposable income to buy them,” Barrie explained. “It’s a big part of the market.”

Nostalgia plays a significant role in determining what’s valuable in the antique world. “A lot of what’s driving the market is people buying things that remind them of their youth,” he said. “That’s why things like muscle cars and service station signs are so popular.”

Unique finds and local treasures

One of the more unique items Barrie sold recently was a miniature horse, part of an estate sale for a local man who decided to downsize. “It was an emotional sale for him,” Barrie recalled. “These horses were like pets to him.”

On the antique side, Barrie recently auctioned off a rare salesman’s sample sleigh, a miniature replica used in the early 1900s to showcase what a full-sized sleigh would look like. “That was a really neat item,” he said. “It sold for $1,100 to a collector in Sherbrooke.”

Another memorable sale involved a sign from the 1930s advertising the Cookshire Fair. The piece, rich in local history, was purchased by local Joel Barter, administrator of the popular Eastern Townships Roots Facebook page. “It’s a piece of local history, and I’m glad it’s staying in the region,” Barrie said.

Beyond antiques, Barrie has also sold items that speak to other facets of rural life in Quebec, such as farm equipment and livestock. At a recent auction, he sold a sheep for $9,500, reflecting the demand for quality livestock in the local agricultural community.

The future of auctioneering

As the auction world continues to evolve, Barrie remains optimistic about the future of his business. While the younger generation may not have the same interest in live auctions, he believes there will be a place for them in the near future.

“For the next 20 years, I think I’ll be okay,” he said with a laugh. “But who knows after that? The younger generation is so used to technology, they may prefer online formats.”

For now, Barrie continues to embrace the thrill of the hunt, enjoying the process of uncovering hidden gems and helping people find value in the items they cherish.

“I love the idea that something we sell today could still be around, still being used, in another hundred years,” he said. “That’s the magic of antiques.”