08/28/2026
❗️PRESS RELEASE 8/28
RICHARD L. DOTTA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
OF AUCTIONEER SERVICE
Nazareth, PA – Richard L. Dotta, Co-owner of the Richard L Dotta Auction Company Inc., of Nazareth is celebrating 50 years of auctioneering service this September.
According to Richard Dotta, he’s participated in thousands of in-person and online auctions both locally and internationally since earning his Pennsylvania Auction License on September 2, 1976 from the Pennsylvania Department of the State Board of Auctioneer Examiners.
He has also helped conduct hundreds of community fundraising events and auctions, working with the Northampton Area Historical Society, Boulton Historic Site and Jacobsburg Historical Society, Martin Guitar, Moravian Academy, Northampton Community College, Nazareth YMCA, Third Street Alliance for Women and Children, Nature Nurture Center, and the Christ United Church of Easton, PA.
“I find the profession of auctioneering to be very interesting, as every day is different. Discovering treasures is one of my favorite parts of the job. It’s exciting to see all types of merchandise, antiques, and collectibles,” said Dotta. “I also really enjoy working with our amazing sellers, bidders, and the Dotta Auction team especially my older brother, James Dotta (Jim).”
Dotta spoke about how he first discovered his interest in the industry. He joined Jim to go small game hunting, but they discovered an old dump site with old, discarded bottles. After hunting season, they returned to gather and collect old bottles.
From there, Richard preferred furniture to buy and sell. In fact, his sales helped pay for his certification courses.
Richard’s father, Anthony, helped him secure a job as an auction runner with Auctioneer Frank J. Falcone Auction. He worked with Falcone for three years during high school.
He is a 1974 graduate of both Nazareth Area High School and the Reisch College of Auctioneering (now operating as World Wide College of Auctioneering Training School) in Mason City, Iowa. His auctioneer courses included Perfecting the Auction Chat as well as Selling Real Estate, Personal Property, Automobiles and Farm Equipment. Richard is also a PA licensed Realtor since 1978.
Next, Richard worked as an Auctioneer Apprentice in 1975- 1976 with Falcone. Dotta stated, “The art of auctioning came very natural to me in the 70’s. I took a liking to it, and quit employment with Falcone in August of 1978 to become independent.”
Dotta added, “I knew I had the drive and ambition to start my own business.” So, he took over 179 South Main Street in the Borough of Nazareth, a space that previously held his parents’ paint business. He opened an antique shop and started his auction business there.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Dotta also held auctions at private estates as well as consignment auctions in the social hall at the Hecktown Volunteer Fire Company in Bethlehem, PA.
After two years of business, Dotta secured land and built what is now the site of the Dotta Auction Center at 330 West Moorestown Road, Nazareth (Bushkill Township), PA. Richard L. Dotta Auction Co. Inc. was established in April of 1982.
Dotta shared that hitting the 50-year mark has been one of his greatest rewards. He laughed and said, “I still dig it! I’ve met almost all of my friends here. They’re like family.”
The auctioneer then highlighted a few outstanding sales, including a Tiffany Lamp that sold for $160,000 and a 1865 Charles Herbert Moore oil painting titled “Hudson River Above Catskill” that saw $90,000 on February 20, 1999. George and Sharon Simon of Simon and Simon Antiques of Newton, NJ, was the consignor of the latter.
Sharon stated, “We are happy to have met Richard about 40 years ago, but we’re happier now and I’ll tell you why. There have been many surprises over the years in the antique and collectibles industry and one stands out— we consigned a painting by Charles Hebert Moore, who is noted for watercolors, to Rich at Dotta Auctions. We estimated a sale of perhaps $4,000, but at Dotta’s it sold for $90,000! The art turned out to be a very rare work by the artist. We came by the Dotta Auction Center the next day after the sale to pick up items my husband and I purchased at the sale, and Rich, Jim, and other staff had a ch*****ne breakfast ready for us. Everybody was there and it was such a great time,” concluded Simon.
When asked to identify and discuss his biggest challenge in the industry, Dotta gave his opinion that auctions “can be unpredictable and the unfortunate decline in value and interest of antiques and collectibles the last several years” is concerning.
Richard, for the past 21 years, has been working for the County of Northampton conducting its annual Judicial and Upset Tax Sales.
In addition to auctioneering, Dotta spends time with his family and regularly participates in the game of billiards including traveling to National Championships to Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, and Atlantic City.
The Dotta Auction Staff will be hosting a Celebration and Open House to celebrate Richard’s 50 Year Anniversary at the Auction Center at 330 West Moorestown Road (Route 512), Nazareth, PA on Friday, October 2, 2026 from 9 am until 6 pm. This will be a public event, which all are invited, especially buyers, sellers, and industry partners.
Dotta’s has a few upcoming live and/or online auctions including the August 29 Live and Online Fi****ms and Mounts Auction, the September 16 Online General Auction, September 24 Online Only Onsite Bethlehem, PA Auction, the October 4 Online Vintage Chrysler Car Parts Auction, and the October 22 First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem (1 of 2 contents-only auction). To view the auction house’s calendar of events, these auction’s catalog images and detailed descriptions, click to Auction Calendar on www.dottaauction.com.
An additional way to stay up to date on Dotta and the Auction Center activities, follow their YouTube channel and page or email [email protected] to be added to their communication distribution list.
About Richard L. Dotta Co. Auction Inc.
Dotta’s has been providing antique, specialty, and general auctions for over 50 years in the Lehigh Valley and internationally live and online.
To learn more about Richard L. Dotta Auction Co. Inc. including the auction calendar and how to liquidate your estate, visit www.dottaauction.com.
Visit www.dottaauction.com for more details.
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