Local estate sale brings in hundreds of sport fans, collectors

Williamsville, N.Y. (WBEN) - An estate sale for William Earl, a 77-year-old lifelong sports memorabilia and antiques enthusiast, has attracted quite a bit of attention this week.

Andrew Then, a member of Edna Louise Estates and Household Liquidations says more than half of the sports related items were sold within the first day.

"We had over 200 people here in attendance yesterday, and that was just the amount of people that were on the list. So probably 100 more came after that," said Then in an interview with WBEN. "So, not very typical of an estate sale. More busy than the average sale, and a lot more items and desirable items to Buffalonians."

Chairman for the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, John Boutet, was happy to show up for the sale, especially since the sports collection once belonged to a great friend of his.

"I knew Bill. He and I did a lot of collecting together. Sometimes we went head to head on things. You know, he would get something cool and nice, and then someday I would get something cool and nice. So, it's a nice thing that the daughters are doing here for him," Boutet said.

At the sale, Brian, an avid sports collector, shared that its always exciting for him to find and add new things to his ever-growing collection.

"I've been a collector since I was little. My dad would always purchase two of everything whenever he found something. Keep one in the package and one for me to play with", Brian stated. "Then when he passed away, I kind of adopted his whole collection, and I've just continued it ever since."