accepting bids via the post for an auction????

[that_darn_elf]

As per some of other posts on here, a big auction of autographs as part of a fundraiser/ publicity day for my non-profit community theatre group is being planned. This is primarily a "live" event, the town hall is already booked, etc etc.

However, I have had a few enquiries about the possiblity of accepting bids from people not able to attend in person. I have a vague idea, but woudl really appreciate any advice.

At this point we are thinking of the auctions going up in £5 increments. £5 - £10 - £15 - £20 and so on... I was thinking of prehaps accepting postal bids, so that someone could send a letter that would remain sealed until the auction just with the name of the auction they are interested on the outside. This could then be opened at the time of the auction, and a proxy bid on thier behalf, up to the maximum stated in the letter. They could then be contacted as to thier success or not in the auction, and of course if successful sent an invoice for the amount that the auction came to.

I dont know how this would work in practice and I would really appreciate any advice on this random idea of mine, or any other fairly simple method of accepting bids from further afield, within a "live" auction.