The Campbell family has been a part of Annapolis for a very long time. A colorful figure who has held elected office in both the city and the county, Robert H. Campbell, Sr. started his auctioneering company over 50 years ago. His son, Robert, and daughter, Jane, now run the business. Their offices are in a house on Prince George Street that's been in the family for over 250 years.

HometownAnnapolis.com caught up with Jane Campbell-Chambliss to talk about Annapolis, auctioneering, ghosts and technology...

Q: You were raised in Annapolis - how has it changed since you were a child? In what ways is it better? Worse?

A: As a child growing up in Annapolis I was able to play on the U.S.N.A. grounds, play tennis, sometimes without getting caught. You could go anywhere and feel safe. Things were more family in nature. Across the street from my home was a large house with a great porch, which was owned by the Avery family. Families would take a walk at night, stop by the porch for the local gossip. Sometimes my sister Susan and I would hear "adult" talk and not really getting it. Such is youth.

I could even knock on the office door of Gov. Tawes just to chat with him. Many times I was a guest on the Gov. yacht, what fun. Also every one knew every one else. Good and bad. I had more mothers and fathers looking after me, and when I was naughty my folks knew about it before I reached our front door.

We played kick ball in the streets, used cars for bases. Fishing and crabbing was great in the summer, we were always checking the City Dock pilings. The current Susan Campbell Park, was a beautiful park, with trees, flowers, benches, and people. Our family took care of the park, lots of work but it was worth it.

Kids of all colors played together, Sam Lorea's bar, Florence the "crab cake" lady. Freedom form worry, no real crime, peaceful. Sometimes too peaceful. Now we have more visitors to our City. Sometimes I feel as if they own it and not the folks that live here. But our visitors are important to our economy.

Also we have a city we need to share with the world. It is worse in the way of more trash. I wish people would use the trash cans, and clean up after their pets!

Q: What is your favorite place in Annapolis to just sit and enjoy the view?

A: The upper deck of the Eastport Yacht Club!

Q: Did you always plan to go into the family business? How did that happen?

A: No, I did not plan on entering my family business. I wanted to be an Opera Singer. I sang with Up With People for several years, as well as the United States Touring Choir. I still sing but not as my vocation.

I finished a Masters Degree from Morgan State University, in Planning. At the time I worked for AA Co. Planning and Zoning and worked part time with my father. I had been passed over for a promotion, and saw no future or fun working there. My Dad's business was overwhelming him, so I joined the team. I always loved history and antiques, so it was just natural.

Q: Are there many women in auctioneering? What part of your job do you find the most fun? The least?

A: More than most people think.... it is hard to say but at least 150. Some women cry sales at their husband's sales, but most have their own businesses.

I just returned from our National Auctioneers Convention. With email, we ladies are able to say in contact with each other during the year. I put together a directory of Women Auctioneers, so it now is great fun to stay close. And as you can imagine when a bunch of lady auctioneers get together, just step back!

In my work, I most enjoy meeting people, and least enjoy meeting SOME people. No, really, the paperwork is the least enjoyable part of my job.

Q: What are some of the most famous or interesting articles that you have auctioned from or in Annapolis?

A: Most famous was the Governor's yacht. Most interesting was a John Shaw Desk, our local cabinetmaker.

Q: You work with a lot of historic homes and sites in the area - have you ever heard of any ghosts in town? Do you have a good story to share about a local estate sale?

A: There is a house in Browns Woods near Cantler's Restaurant that is supposed to be haunted - lots of folks say they have seen the woman and felt her presence. Years ago my father and I did an appraisal that was later an Auction.

The story is the husband was the last to pass away. His memory was not good, and he forgot where he buried his wife. The attorney, who had a great sense of humor compared to my father (who has none), told me to keep my eyes out for the lady's jewels, which were missing.

At that time I got to do all the inventory work my father did not want to do, so I was in a hall closet, listing vacuums, old cameras, etc. when I came across an Eastern Shore Oyster can. Well I thought this will be great to sell at Auction. But, hey it might have the lady's jewelry inside. So I opened the can and found ashes and white chips inside.

Well my first thought was, they saved ashes for their garden just like my father....WRONG....I had found the lady in question! Ugh.

I stood up and started to shake, my hands covered with the lady. My father and the attorney stood looking at me like I had just landed on this planet. I pointed to the can. I have never heard such laughter in my life. Well I did not think it was so funny.

Q: While your father has said that "auctioneering is the second oldest profession in the world" you are implementing a number technological advances into your work, such as online auctions. Can you tell us more about that?

A: Technological advances are fast in this business, with Ebay starting the whole process. Butterfield and Butterfield, Auctioneers bought Ebay, so here we are.

My brother Bob and I had a web site about 5 years ago, one of the first in our business, but was unable to really take advantage of it to its full potential, we had no clue as to the future of the Internet. Who did really?

Since going with the Capital Online things have started to happen, they developed a great web site for our use. Last week we entered the site into the National Auctioneers Web Page contest. Our web site was judged easy to use, great information, and good strong graphics. For all the "BIG" auction companies that entered, we were in the top 5% as a site.

We also have entered our next generation of auctions: Thunderbid.com. This is a site setup for professional auctioneers for the purpose of selling not only personal property but real estate on line. In the near future you can purchase your dream home online.

The auctioneers who post on this site must agree to follow the Code of Ethics and By-laws of the National Auctioneers Association as well as the State and Federal laws as well. It will be monitored by NAA.

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