The J.P. King company auctions lots of fancy spreads, including recreational ranches, hunting plantations, golf courses and Barbara Mandrell's house in Nashville. This summer they'll auction off the Colorado mansion of Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Hampton. "Trophy and high-end homes," as auctioneer King explained before the auction began.

King put a good spin on Thursday's auction results. "We had a strong crowd, and the bidding started out very briskly, so it was clear from the outset that we'd have a good sale."

King used the familiar rapid-fire auctioneer's chant to move the bidding along. Something like: "Two million five, I'm at two-five, give me two-six, I'm at two-five, I'm at two-six, where, two-six, I'm at two million five, two million six, here we go, anyone else, two-six, would you go two-six," and on and on. When it was clear that two-six was not going to be an option, King called out "going once, going twice, it's going, going, gone" and that was it.

Dwight Manley now owns a house with a five fireplaces, two laundry rooms and a mural of an eagle swooping down on a terrified-looking fish. As for the Malones, Carter says they're building a house in Louisiana.

"He has other things going on," Carter explained.

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E-mail: jarvik@desnews.com