2017 Brings a New Year of Auction Fun
/
Winter is filled with a flurry of farm toy shows for my husband Keith and me. We finished out 2016 with a toy show that we had never attended before. On Dec. 13 and 14, 2016, we stopped by the SEMO Farm Toy Show. Because the show is held at Sikeston, Missouri, which is home to the famous Lambert’s Cafe, it was no hardship for us to dine and stop. This year was the 29th year for the SEMO show, and it was dedicated to the memory of Sonny Hodges who started the show.
I am always drawn to custom-built toys, and at this show, I saw the work of scratch and custom builder Wayne Crook, who had some beautiful cotton picker and cotton equipment on display for sale.
Wayne Crook’s beautiful cotton pickers on display.
One of the first shows of the New Year is the Illini Farm Toy Show held in Champaign, Illinois, at the Wyndham Garden Inn. This year was the 13th Annual Illini Farm Toy Show, held on Jan. 6–7, 2017. It is always fun at this show to see Chris Karr, who is a former hog calling champion and an announcer at the Historic Farm Days show in Penfield, Illinois, and the Half Century of Progress show in Rantoul, Illinois. Karr always has a wonderful array of antique farm toys and more on display.
During the same weekend as the Illini show, we attended the International Harvester Southern Illinois Chapter 32 Farm Toy Show that was held at the Carlyle, Illinois, VFW Hall. This year I was fascinated by vendor Dean Fox of Salem, Illinois. This custom and scratch builder of 1/64-scale toys had an extensive display of pulling tractors, pulling trucks, and trailers for sale.
Fox also had an amazing array of belt buckles with equipment brands that he found primarily at auctions.
The winter farm toy auctions also have great memorabilia like this original John Deere straw hat.
Farm toy auctions are always fun, and here is an online one coming up at the end of January 2017.
Curran Miller Auction Gallery — Evansville, Indiana
On Jan. 25, 2017, collectors have a chance to preview farm toys and more that are part of the Jerry Sloan’s collection. This is a unique collection belonging to Sloan, who is the former coach of the Utah Jazz and a member of Hall of Fame. Bidding closes on Jan. 31, 2017.
A 1939John Deere Model B die-cast tractor
Curran Miller is a family company. Wendy Miller said, “My grandfather founded the company in 1936.”
Her father, Hugh Miller, just stepped down as president at the end of December, and Wendy took over the reins as president on Jan. 1, 2017.
2001 Farm Progress Show collector edition Farmall Super H die-cast tractor
When she was asked about the Jerry Sloan auction, Wendy Miller said, “It is an honor to have Mr. Sloan’s collection. What impressed me about the collection is Mr. Sloan’s wide range of interest. He has farm collectibles, then Star Wars and cast iron banks. He is a great man.”
This online only auction offers over 500 lots. For details and to view the lots, visit Curran Miller’s website.
Farm Progress Show collector edition Farmall M die-cast tractor, which appears to be signed by Joseph Ertl
Girard Auction — Wakonda, South Dakota
Following up with the farm toy scene, on Feb. 4, 2017, Girard Auction has a huge winter toy auction, featuring the Bert Schelhaas collection of Leota, Minnesota. The auction offers almost 500 lots with toys from a wide variety of brands. Visit Girard’s website for more information.
This Highway 66 truck is hauling a custom-built Minneapolis-Moline corn sheller
This toy is just one of a wide variety of toys from the Bert Schelhaas collection being sold by Girard Auction.
Polk Auction Co. — Decatur, Indiana
On April 22, 2017, collectors can enjoy the Alvin Krueckeberg Living Estate Auction. Items featured on this auction include a 1930 Oliver Hart Parr 18-27, a 1953 International Harvester TD-9 DSL, a Cockshutt 560 DSL, and a wide range of IH tractors. There are also parts, collectibles, implements, and vehicles being auctioned, as well. Visit Polk's website for more information and a complete listing.
Mecum Auctions — Harris, Pennsylvania
Mecum Auctions’ Summer Showcase 2017 will be held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harris, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 5, 2017. This event will not only auction 150 tractors but there will be vehicles up for bid, as well. There is a $20 fee to attend this showcase event. For more information, visit Mecum’s website.
Polk Auction Co. — New Paris, Indiana
If you are looking for a big auction for the 2017 Labor Day weekend, Polk Auction Co. has its 34th Annual Labor Day Weekend Collector Tractor Toy, Literature & Memorabilia Auction. The event takes place Aug. 31–Sept. 2, 2017. This auction has a little bit of everything on Day 1, such as tractor parts, toys, signs, memorabilia, collectibles, primitives, pedal tractors, and literature. On Day 2, buyers can bid on non-running and running tractors, plus equipment and implements. Day 3 highlights hit-and-miss engines and more running tractors. For more information, visit Polk’s website.
It’s a New Year, so enjoy all the fun that can be found at auctions in 2017. Hopefully Keith and I will see you there!
If you can't find Antique Power on a newsstand near you, call 800-767-5828 or visit our Gift Shop to order current or back issues. To subscribe, call 888-760-8108 or click here.
