Famed auction house Christie’s was in East Orange on this day in 1996. It was the last day of the A.K. Miller Auction, which had attracted people from all over the world.

When Alex Miller’s widow Imogene passed away, locals never expected that their poorly maintained, run down estate would be worth much of anything.

That was before $700,000 in promissory notes were found in the woodbox, and $800,000 worth of gold bullion was found in canvas bags. There was silver, stocks and coins.

Outbuildings housed more than 40 antique cars. This most unusual country auction netted about four million dollars.

Historic image courtesy Town Of Orange.