If it can be gathered, people will collect it—from tiny thimbles to classic cars, from pottery to Coca-cola memorabilia. Of the infinite items people collect, there are nearly as many ways collectors find their treasures. One long time favorite is the auction.

On a sunny February afternoon, Villiards Auction Service is hosting a large house auction—a collector’s dream. Collectors from around the region crowd around a countless number of dusty antiques—from hundreds of salt and pepper shakers to one-of-a-kind porcelain trinkets. Between the doorway and the auction table is a constant stream of people carting away their newly purchased items. Today, the warehouse in Moorhead, Minn., has attracted both serious collectors and casual browsers.

John Villiard, owner and auctioneer of the company, held nearly 80 auctions last year alone. No two auctions are the same, and each attracts a different group of collectors, he said. Villiard hosts everything from coin shows to farm auctions, yet antiques are his favorite items to sell and easily one of the most common.

“Antiques are very interesting,” Villiard said. “You can tell the whole history of a person, and that’s what makes it fun.”

Since most of the collectors in the crowd wait for a specific antique piece to be auctioned off, Villiard strives to keep a set schedule. He typically sells 80 to 100 items per hour.

“I try to keep the auction moving, so that people stay,” he said. At each auction, Villiard aims to lighten up the crowd. He said the excitement of the people feeds his own energy. “You’re only as good as the crowd that’s here,” Villiard said.

Many of the serious collectors at today’s auction are waiting to bid on the Rosemead pottery. Rosemead pottery is popular in the upper Midwest because it was made in Wahpeton, N.D., and is now considered valuable. Bidders hold their breath for a small porcelain fish, which Villiard predicts will sell for more than $1,000.

As he looks out into the crowd of collectors, Villiard said, “Collecting is an addiction, and they need a fix.”

Villiard’s auctions attract buyers and collectors from hundreds of miles away. Doug Grenz traveled from Bismarck, N.D., to bid on a piece of Red Wing stoneware, which is antique pottery made in Red Wing, Minn. Grenz and his wife boast a collection of about 450 pieces of stoneware, which are all displayed throughout their home.

As he browses today’s auction, Grenz carefully examines each of the pieces. He knows exactly what to look for in a quality piece of stoneware. Grenz said the value of Red Wing pottery is determined by age, rarity and current condition of the piece. Grenz taps the side of the stoneware and listens for just the right ‘ping.’ Even a hairline crack in the stoneware drops its value considerably. Grenz estimates that his most valuable piece of stoneware is worth $4,500.

The stoneware is a popular collectable in the upper Midwest. “(Bidding) gets to be competitive,” Grenz said. He drives between 200 and 300 miles to find items for his collection. He said he may pass some of his vast collection onto his son or eventually sell selected pieces.

“It’s something to do with your time and money,” Grenz said. “Some people spend their time at bowling alleys; we spend our time at auctions.”

As today’s auction closes, the tables of antiques slowly clear off and the crowd scatters. The casual browsers in the crowd gather their few purchases from the day and move on. But the serious collectors are already thinking about the next auction—another opportunity to find what they love.