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Farm items highlight a Michigan estate auction

By BARB VAN LOO
Michigan Correspondent

SALINE, Mich. — There was quite a turnout - in numbers ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 - of bidders for a recent Braun and Helmer auction, where contents of the Oscar Henes estate crossed the block.

This Saline, Mich.-based estate presented a unique social opportunity, and glimpses into the life of Henes - a man who had just one mailing address throughout his entire lifetime. He lived at 7941 Bethel Church Road, in Lodie Township, where he and his wife Doris made their livelihood as farmers.

Before Doris and Oscar, the elders of the Henes family made their living off the land as well.

As local lore has it, Oscar worked in the fields and Doris took care of the house, the garden and raised chickens to supplement the family’s income. She was also known to help in the fields when necessary. In addition to working the fields, Oscar constantly updated his equipment and farm buildings. In 2002, a sign was placed on the Henes farm declaring that it was one of Michigan’s Centennial Farms, a status of which Oscar was quite proud. Auctioneers for this historical event were David and Jerry Helmer and Brian Braun.

In their own unique way of beginning an auction, David and Brian each began with their own ring at opposite ends of the same flatbed. The first item David presented proved to be one of the more highly sought-after items in the auction. It was a self-propelled Rehul Massey Harris toy combine complete with its original box. This item, first produced as a child’s toy led spirited bidding to a final bid of $1,300.

Other collectible toys included: a windup tin litho cyclist by Unique Art that earned $225; a toy International stake truck that saw $130; and, for a little girl, a Marx Lumar wringer washer that crossed the block for $250. An AMT model promo car earned $140 and a 1966 Super Sport Impala saw $160.

Other items sold from the flatbed included a yellow-ware chamber pot with blue that saw a final bid of $350; a Davis and Whiting mesh purse earned $160; and an old Fisher-Price pull-toy, a duck followed by her ducklings, crossed the block for $90.

An Illinois Watch Co. watch, 922B, sold for $400, and the original box labeled Hamilton sold by itself for $150.

No John Deere tractors were found on Oscar Henes’ farm; he preferred only the “red tractors” which evidently led to lively discussions with other members of his family.

So, on the crest of the hill there was a lineup of all red equipment. There was abundant interest in these tractors; when David headed to that lineup approximately 300 of the attendees quickly followed. The tractors elicited spirited bidding.

The International 1066 Farmall gas tractor with a 3-point hitch, gas, PTO, dual tires, and hydraulics crossed the block for $7,600. Selling for $7,300 was the International 4386 diesel tractor with a 3-point hitch and hydraulics. The Farmall 806 diesel tractor boasted a power takeoff (PTO), a wide front end and hydraulics sold for $6,700; the wide-front Farmall 560 diesel tractor with a PTO, hydraulics and eight front suitcase weights earned $4,000; and a Farmall 400 gas tractor with a PTO, narrow front end, and hydraulics crossed the block for $3,700. Another Farmall 560, this one with a narrow front end sold for $3,100.

Another piece of the desirable farm equipment was the Allis-Chalmers L-2 gleaner combine with a Hydro-Trac guide, and a grain table that crossed the block for $5,750. A 1977 Ford 900 tandem-axle grain truck with a hoist crossed the block for $9,750.

While David was busy selling the tractors on the hill Brian and Jerry were busy selling the many other items in this auction including the furniture and glassware. An antique cherry planter with galvanized liner insert sold for $600; a hump-top trunk earned $200; and a mahogany crotch wood drop-leaf table with bun feet earned $225.

An oak Victrola was one of the objects that several people wanted. It went, however, to the person who bid $725. A bentwood plantation cradle with stenciling sold for $200 as did an ash commode with a serpentine front.

It needed a lot of cleaning but an old icebox earned $155; a tallboy with a backsplash saw $170; an old floor lamp sold for $130; and a walnut and cane rocker sold for $70. An alto saxophone that crossed the block earned $125; the Carmen accordion saw $125; and a second accordion earned $110.
Saline, Mich., memorabilia included an old map of Michigan that had been given out by the Saline Mercantile Co. that sold for $100; a rain gauge from John Marion, Inc. earned $85; and a box of Saline memorabilia crossed the block for $50.

Other items that found interest included: a Marble’s compass with the original block sold for $110; a Metlox Poppy Trail purple cow cookie jar earned $75; and a Shawnee pig salt and pepper set saw a final bid of $50.

Dale Evans items have about the same popularity as Roy Rogers items. Here, a Dale Evans skirt and hat sold for $50, and a Roy Rogers cap gun and holster sold for $60. One box of model cars earned $240 while a second one that included a “Learn to Drive” model with dual controls earned $160.

An Ohio Art top sold for $50; an old Mickey Mouse paint by number set earned $80; and a box of old toy baking items - pans, mixing bowls, and beaters - earned $80.

Items in this auction included those from Oscar Henes, but also the accumulations of those generations before him.
For additional information on this auction or on services provided by
Braun and Helmer Auction Service, they can be contacted at 734-368-1733 (David), 734-996-9135 (Brian), or 734-368-1734 (Jerry). Watch for their ads in the Auction Exchange and Collectors News or check out their website at www.braunand helmer.com

10/8/2008