<b>By CINDY LADAGE<br>
Illinois Correspondent</b></p><p>

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — While most of the focus at the National Farm Machinery Show each February is on new products, some old iron representing the antique tractor hobby was also on hand this year.<br>
John Harvey was selling his Classic Tractor Fever calendars and books about antique tractors. John’s 2008 calendar is like a history book for antique tractor collectors. They can see a bit of farm Americana as they flip through the pages of tractors from the past – one tractor profiled can trace its origins back nearly to the 19th-century mark, a 100-year-old IHC Friction Drive.<br>
Each month the calendar offers a different tractor model, with a description from the model and a collector profile. Besides the usual brands of tractors, there are also some unusual ones represented, such as a 1920 Lauson and a 1966 Versatile D-100. Information about these calendars can be found on John’s website at www.classictractorfever.com<br>
Along with Classic Tractor Fever, Sherry Schaffer of the Oliver Heritage magazine represented “Oliver fever.” She had issues of her publication on hand, along with wares representing the “other green” – Oliver green, that is.<br>
“This is the magazine for enthusiasts of all things Oliver, White, and Cletrac,” Schaffer said. “From James Oliver’s first chilled plow to the White Field Boss, Oliver Heritage brings you the history of the people and the machines of the Oliver family of companies.”
Well-known in the antique tractor circle, she has authored chapters and detailed information on the Oliver brand. Information about Oliver Heritage can be found at www.oliverinformation.com
Although it was the only color at her booth, Oliver green was not the only antique brand at the show. IH was also on hand, in a booth hosted by the International Harvester Collectors Club, which celebrates all things in Farmall red.<br>
The National International Harvester Collectors Club provides a worldwide collector’s network for the preservation of history, products, literature and memorabilia of the International Harvester Company. Visit www.nationalihcollectors.com for details.<br>
Antique tractors was not the only collector segment represented; toy collectors were also able to add farm toys to their holdings. With a variety of vendors and mainstays in the farm-toy hobby, any collector could find an array of selections. New and old, all were part of this year’s National Farm Machinery Show.