MARVIN HENDERSON…AMERICA’S AUCTIONEER

By Harry Rubenstein

Auctioneer Marvin Henderson hasn’t forgotten where he came from. Today, Henderson Auctions is one of the largest auction houses in North America, if not the world. Mr. Henderson has been at it for over fifty years, having gotten his start in 1957 after attending the Reppert School of Auctioneering. He says he used to love to attend car auctions as a small boy. He started in the very early days with Monday night general merchandise auctions, selling everything from pencils to tables. In between his own auctions he calls numerous auto auctions throughout the South.

From pencils and tables Mr. Henderson moved on to selling antiques and then to farm equipment. By the early 1970’s he was selling heavy construction machinery and equipment. This became his specialty and he has become known nationwide as one of the leading auctioneers of heavy construction equipment.

The Henderson auction yard in Livingston Louisiana is a truly impressive layout., covering over fifty acres. This includes a large pavilion for customer seating for drive-through auctions, offices for day-to-day operations, excellent concession and rest room facilities, customer registration and lounge area, a large equipment make-ready facility including a mechanics shop, welding and metal working, cleaning, sandblasting and painting areas.

Auction day at Henderson’s is filled with anticipation, excitement and drama. The huge barn-like arena is crowded with buyers. Booming from loudspeakers and reverberating off the walls is the spellbinding chant of the auctioneer: “I’m bid twenty-fi, twenty-fi who’ll gimme thirty? ‘ll anybody give thirty? Anybody bid thirty, thirty, now fi, five, who’ll give thirty-five?” “Calling auctions is a little like playing the piano”, said Henderson.. “Natural talent and lots of practice. You’re just saying “I’m bid twenty-five. Will anybody give me thirty? Will anybody bid thirty, thirty, now five, who’ll give thirty-five?’ Just saying that, but speed it up.” Note: this writer has tried it. It’s not as easy as Marvin makes it sound. He’s right about practice.

Out on the sales floor big trucks and heavy equipment roll past Marvin’s gavel. “It turns out,” he says, “that sometimes spotting a bid can be harder than calling the auction. First sale I had,” he says, “I couldn’t see you if you were waving both hands. Now, you walk in a crowd and I don’t recognize you….I don’t even see you…unless you look like you’re going to bid. It’s a natural instinct to pick it up and see you.” He manages to see quite a few.

Audrey (Mrs.) Henderson has been with the auction company since the beginning. So what’s it like, living with such a fast talker? “He hardly talks at all at home, usually. He’s on the phone and talking so much to everybody else that when he gets home he’s sort of quiet.”

A Henderson auction is no one man show…far from it. Marvin has plenty of help. He needs it. It has become a family affair. Their oldest son Jeff is President of the company now. He’s on the floor. There’s Janet Henderson Cagley, Secretary. Her role is vital. There’s Wiley Collins, Lloyd Henderson, Belinda McCullough, Lance LeBlanc and Jimmy Summers. They’re all on the floor. They’re ring men and back-up auctioneers. They’re all experienced…mainly from twelve to twenty years with the company. They know what they’re doing. They pick up the bidders that Marvin misses, if any.

There’s Renita Martin, the office manager, and James Martin, the yard manager. Their roles in the company are critical as well.

The atmosphere at the auction is active and exciting. The auctioneers and ring men are aggressive and persuasive in soliciting top bids for merchandise while maintaining friendly and comfortable relationships with the buyers. It is a major league environment and experience. It is state of the art… first class all the way. Many dollars change hands. Millions…in fact, over a hundred million a year at last accounting.

Marvin helped pioneer the sales of surplus equipment at auction by the Louisiana State Department of Transportation. He also introduced the auction process to shipyards and fabrication facilities. He conducts auctions all over the United States and in Mexico. His sales are often attended by thousands. Many of his auctions are carried live on the internet. Bids often come in from around the world.

Sales of items for over one million dollars are not particularly unusual. One memorable accomplishment occurred in 2004 when he sold a Manitowac lift crane in Aransas Pass Texas for a Million Dollars. It was one of seven cranes sold that day for a total of three million-six hundred thousand Dollars. The entire auction lasted only forty-two minutes. Marvin has sold several other items for a Million Dollars or more including barges, offshore drill platforms, etc.

As we said, Marvin Henderson remembers his beginnings. He still takes time to conduct liquidations for Mom and Pop businesses and applies as much of his expertise to these as he does to his much larger sales. Even though Marvin has been a busy and successful auctioneer throughout his career, he takes the time to mentor and groom younger auctioneers coming along. He welcomes them to his sales and acknowledges their presence. He gives them work. He is available to them. He is credited by many young auctioneers with helping them start their careers. Indeed, the name Henderson is synonymous with auctions, not only in Louisiana, but throughout the United States.