Auction of estate is trove of local history

SPRING CITY >> Known throughout Pottstown as “Bill the Cat Guy,” the extensive collection of the late Bill Sharon will be auctioned off this weekend and it includes many pieces of Pottstown history.

Also known as “Mr. Pottstown,” Sharon had an extensive collection of Christmas items, including several trees that remained decorated all year-long, in his King Street home.

In addition to many antiques, Sharon also had a “basement full of historic bottles,” pottery, ceramics, historic paper products and many items related to Pottstown’s industrial past, said Eileen Rhoads, who is heading up the auction that takes place Saturday and Sunday at Bonnie Brae Auctions, 20 Bonnie Brae Road, Spring City.

“It took six trucks to get everything here,” she said on the auction house’s website, where a photos of some of the items up for sale can be viewed.

A preview in person can also be had Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. and from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on the day of each sale, Saturday and Sunday.

Sharon, who worked for many years at Stanley G. Flagg Brass before it closed in 1997, died in August at age 73.

In later years, he worked as a code officer for Pottstown Borough and, a relentless rescuer of cats, helped found the Pottstown Pet Frair.

One of his favorite charities, Cat NAPS, will have a table set up to take donations at the auction of his estate.

PHOTO FROM BONNIE BRAE AUCTIONS The auction of Bill Sharon’s estate Saturday and Sunday will include many antique commercial items.

PHOTO FROM BONNIE BRAE AUCTIONS Bill Sharon believed strongly in preserving relics from Pottstown’s industrial past, like this sign from Pottstown Nipple Works.

PHOTO FROM BONNIE BRAE AUCTIONS Sharon collected this clock from Lambur’s Jewelry, once located on South Hanover Street in Pottstown.

PHOTO FROM BONNIE BRAE AUCTIONS Apparently, Pottstownbased Mrs. Smith’s made more than just pies in the past.