WILLIAMSVILLE, NY (WKBW) — Hidden away in Williamsville is an incredible, decades-old collection of Buffalo sports memorabilia and antiques that is being sold in its entirety this weekend.
“Probably 20,000 to 30,000 items,” said Elizabeth Earl, who runs the estate sale with her sister Katie Beakman. “I had a spreadsheet and it said over 10,000, and I only got half of it done.”
“Upstairs we have a lot of old toys, political memorabilia, some brewery and beer signs,” Katie added.
But the centerpiece of the sale is perhaps one of the largest collections of Buffalo sports memorabilia you will ever see.
“Buffalo Bills from all eras, even the Buffalo Bisons, the hockey team, he has some Buffalo Bison stuff. He has the Sabres. He has the Buffalo Braves,” Elizabeth said.
Each piece for sale has a story and special meaning, as building this collection was a lifelong passion of Katie and Elizabeth’s father, William Earl, who passed away last summer at the age of 77.
Katie Beakman
“He was honest, funny and had a great sense of humor,” Katie said.
“He was a really great guy and had a lot of passion and knew a lot about history,” Elizabeth added.
Katie and Elizabeth say William has spent most of his life collecting, a hobby passed down to him from his grandmother. His family has spent months sorting through all the treasures, and each piece brings a small sense of comfort.
Katie Beakman
“He just loved his collections and we wanted to make sure we honored them as best as we could by taking the time to do so. I think we touched every single piece in that house,” Katie said. “That collection that he had was truly his lifelong passion.”
Each family member has taken pieces from the collection that remind them of William, and what remains will be available for purchase starting Thursday.
Estate sale details:
Edna Louise Liquidations
12 Hidden Ridge
Williamsville, New York 14221
Thursday, August 22, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, August 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, August 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Over 100 people have already signed up to attend the sale on the sign-up list on the front door of the house. Katie and Elizabeth say their father would be happy and proud.
“We’re really ready to open it up to our community and give them the opportunity to come by, see the things my dad had, and hopefully take home a piece of history,” Elizabeth said.
“It’s hard to let go,” Katie said. “But knowing that people are going to love it as much as he loved it or loved it makes us feel really great.”
