Auction Planning for Spring 2017

Despite the groundhog predicting six more weeks of winter, my husband Keith and I have been seeing hordes of snow geese filling the air with long, V-shaped formations. Last Saturday, the lines literally were as far as the eye can see. My mom has a few tulips poking through the soil, and we have even had a few balmy days this February in central Illinois. We may be in for a false sense of security as far as the weather goes, but we can depend on some fun auctions coming our way.

February is always a month of celebrations, Groundhog’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Super Bowl Sunday, Lincoln’s Birthday (which is a personal favorite since we live close to Springfield, Illinois), and of course President’s Day. For my family, one of the first “yee-haws” for the month was the Gateway Mid-America Toy Show, which is always held the first weekend in February.

This year the Gateway Farm Toy Club ushered in their 36th annual show. At the Saturday auction before Aumann’s auctions got rolling, Roy Lee Baker, one of the founders of the show, gathered six club members and offered them a token to celebrate being part of this annual show for the past 36 years. Members Deane Fox, Jim Kistler, Jim Hembrough, Niles Sharp, Steve Blunier, and Mike Gentzch have attended the show since the beginning.

The founding members of the Getaway Mid-America Toy Show were recognized before the auction.

This show was all about milestones, this was also the 10th year that the show was at the Sheraton Lakeside Chalet in St. Louis, Missouri. The hotel staff brought in a cake to the vendors to celebrate this decade collaboration.

One of the highlights of this show is the model and layout contest, and one toy modeler that returned for the 2017 show was Robert Denson of West Memphis, Arkansas. Denson brought an array of remote control toys that he built, like his remote control combine that mesmerized kids both young and old.

Robert Denson with a crowd around him and his remote-control models

At the show auction, Aumann Auctions auctioneer Mark Sypherd sold a one-of-a-kind corn crib made by a builder from Nokomis, Illinois.

Finds like these keep collectors checking auction listings and planning for spring sales.

This hand-built corn crib sold at auction at the Gateway Mid-America Toy Show.

Schaller Auction Service — Millstadt, Illinois

On March 4, 2017, Schaller Auction Service is holding the estate auction of Paul “Shorty” Wagner. The sale includes toy tractors by Cottonwood Acres, Mohr, Riecke, and most other brands. There are also several new-in-the-box toys up for bid, and equipment and household items, as well.

Aumann Auctions — Milan, Kansas

For those that love steam and the old iron, Aumann Auctions is offering an online-only auction with bidding ending on April 20, 2017, for the Larson Steam engine collection. This collection of early steam engines, engine parts, castings, etc., includes a Russell water wagon, a 1912 25hp Rumley M, and an 1892 10hp Advance. There is also the online-only Larson Steam Engine Parts Auction on the same day. These collections belong to Ed Larson, a longtime collector known for the care that he gives his engines.

This online-only auction offers a variety of steam engines from the Ed Larson collection.

Aumann Auctions — Nokomis, Illinois

Another upcoming Aumann sale is the Pre ’30 Auction on April 22, 2017, which includes a collection of vintage power and early iron for serious collectors. This sale offers a rare Galloway 12-20 Farmobile, which is just one of a few known to exist. There is also a rare 1911 International Harvester J30 Touring that was shown at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and a 1923 John Deere D that is the oldest Model D known to exist. The John Deere tractor was featured on the cover of Antique Power’s May/June 2016 issue.

This Galloway 12-20 Farmobile is one of a few known in existence.

Shackelton Auctions – Newmarket, Ontario

For collectors seeking a road trip and an auction with a variety of items, Shackelton Auctions has a four-day auction on June 7–10, 2017, in Newmarket, Ontario. This is a huge auction with 800 lots per day that include collector cars and trucks, along with antique tractors and equipment. There is also over 60 gas pumps, gas and oil, advertising signs, soda shop, general store and even hockey memorabilia.

Sullivan Auctioneers — Yarmouth, Iowa

For five days, June 26–30, 2017, Sullivan Auctioneers will sell the huge antique car, tractor, and toy collection of the late Bob Gabeline. The sale consists of over 500 collector cars and vintage tractors, a huge selection of collector car and tractor parts, and an extensive collection of pedal cars and tractors. The collection also includes signs, toys, literature, and vintage memorabilia.

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