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| Hosts George Selby and Ellyn McLaughlin |
In an email to La Libertad, George Selby said "Here are a few buys and corresponding sales I have made over the years:
1. An original cardboard poster from a Muhammad Ali – Joe
Frasier fight. Purchase for $6. Sold for $450.
2. A postcard with an image of the Three Stooges on it.
Purchased for 10 cents. Sold for $80.
3. Miniature sword from Japan. Purchased for $75. Sold
for $1,500.
4. A copy of a coloring book personally published by
nationally renowned artist, Keith Haring. Paid 50 cents. Last copy sold at
auction in Chicago for just under $1,500".
La Libertad: Mark Moran told us last
summer that you "wrote the book on yard sales." Is that a reference to a specific book, and,
if so, what is its title?
George Selby: “The Official
Yard Sale Handbook: 69 Money Making Tips for Planning and Hosting Your Own Yard
Sale!”
La Libertad: Do you feel qualified to
"write the book on yard sales," and, if so, why?
George Selby: I’ve been rising at 6:00 am every Saturday for more than 20 years,
spending an average of five hours each time cruising from yard sale to yard
sale. I drafted a one-page tip sheet that was so successful that led to the
full fledged handbook. I’ve also taught a couple of courses in Yard Saling for
the Fairfax County Adult Education program. One was classroom based, the other
was titled, “Yard Sale Caravan” where everyone followed me and drove their cars
from one sale to another. I also spent a day being trailed by a local news
reporter and photographer as I moved from one sale to another.
La Libertad: When did you start acting?
George Selby: Not counting the lead role in a junior high school play about Abraham Lincoln, I did amateur theatre for a few years
moving from lights to set decoration to bit parts and even to lead roles. My favorite role was the part of the film
producer in Plaza Suite.
 |
| G.I. helmet, web belt, and distress signal marker from the Vietnam War |
La Libertad: Where have you traveled to?
George Selby: I’ve been fortunate to travel to many
foreign countries including Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey
and Spanish Morocco. If you want a real education about life and people
(including yourself), the thing to do is travel. Speaking a fair amount of
Spanish has been helpful in my travels.
La Libertad: What other talents do you
have?
 |
| "Model of the Titanic. Paid $3 for it. Sold it for $50". |
George Selby: Writer of all sorts of documents
including speeches; draw in pen and ink; calligraphy; motivational speaking.
La Libertad: What upcoming projects do
you have?
George Selby: If Yard Sale 411 makes it, I
have ideas for another show on how to survive a down economy.
La Libertad: What are your career goals?
George Selby: At this
point in my life, the one thing I want to do is help other people grow and
thrive. The amount of actual control one has over one’s career and life in
general is amazing. Once you realize you have the power to change your destiny,
it is an exhilarating experience from which there is no going back.
La Libertad: Moran also told us that you
and Ellyn McLaughlin are starring in a reality television series called
"Yard Sale 411." How is that
going?
George Selby: We’ve had multiple co-hosts that
have forced us to rewrite a bit and reshoot footage, but I believe we have a
winner in my co-host Ellyn. She is a great person with a lively personality. In
her audition at a flea market, she put together a fabulous Halloween outfit
that would have made Lady Gaga jealous!
 |
| Vintage 1930s West Point uniform. |
La Libertad: How did you meet Mark Moran
and Ellyn McLaughlin?
George Selby: Mark held
auditions after our second host went on to other things. Mark and I worked at
the same organization a few years back.
La Libertad: What's it like working with
them?
George Selby: Both are creative, dedicated
people. Ellyn is a very perky addition to our show.
La Libertad: How many episodes of
"Yard Sale 411" have you produced?
George Selby: Just the pilot, but probably have enough footage for two or three more.
La Libertad: Why is your name so far down
the list of cast members on the "Yard Sale 411" page at IMDb.com?
George Selby: Mark handles those kinds of things. There
may be technical issues about which I know very little.
La Libertad: How familiar are you with
IMDb.com?
George Selby: I am familiar with the
database, having researched film noir a few years back.
La Libertad: Are you going to/did you
spend any time with your parents, children and/or siblings this holiday season?
 |
| Poster from a Muhammad Ali – Joe Frasier fight |
George Selby: I most certainly did.
La Libertad: What Christmas traditions,
if any, does your family observe?
George Selby: With
family and friends we are a multicultural group and celebrate all the joys of
the season.
La Libertad: What is your favorite
Christmas carol?
George Selby: Although not a Xmas
carol, I like “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt.
La Libertad: What would you like/did you
want to tell the world this Holiday Season?
George Selby: Be thankful for the blessings you and your loved ones enjoy by living
in the greatest country the world has ever known, and say a prayer for the
families in Connecticut and New York who lost family members to deranged
assailants.
The Official Yard Sale Handbook: 69 Money-Making Tips for Planning & Hosting Your Own Yard Sale!
Interview by William Mortensen Vaughan
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