Sunday, Oct. 4, dawned bright and sunny in central Illinois and for many farmers – for the first time in the harvest season – their combines were rolling through the fields. Some were shelling corn and others were cutting beans, but all were glad to be finally moving.

For a group of antique tractor collectors, they worked in the fields with techniques most farmers today might not recognize. This gathering consisted of customers, friends, family and staff of Aumann Auctions, a Nokomis-based auction house. Aumann’s added some good, old-fashioned fun into its Customer Appreciation Day.

Jane Aumann, communications director for Aumann Auctions, said the day was in recognition of “our valued customers.” In honor of those customers, they turned it into a Corn Shucking/Plow Day.
Kurt Aumann had his Avery 25-50 tractor on hand for the big day. One of the main organizers of the show, Frank Waterman, had his Allis Chalmers WD 45.

Besides being on the staff of Aumann’s, Frank is also Jane’s dad. She shared that this tractor held an important place in the Waterman household because “he used to farm with it.”
During part of the day, the WD 45’s belt pulley was hooked up to the corn sheller; at other times, it did double duty performing other field tasks.

The gathering was a big mix of customers who came to eat, watch and enjoy the day. All in all, it was a good crowd. “More than 200 people from around the Midwest spent the day at our auction company’s home office in Nokomis,” Jane said.

“The oldest Corn Shucking participant was 93-year-old Roy Miles,” she added. Roy may have been one of the few in attendance who could remember corn shucking the way it was done “back when.”
Many in the crowd were local or from the Midwest, but a few visitors hailed from overseas. “The farthest participants were Gerald Gregory and Corin Harris from the United Kingdom,” Jane said.

“The event lasted all day with a break around noontime as Aumann Auctions served a complimentary lunch to all attendees.” Bratwurst, chips and dessert rated high marks. Karen Aumann headed up the dessert table, ensuring that no one walked away hungry.

Three-year old Elijah Aumann at one time had the microphone firmly in hand and was dictating commands to the tractors out in the field – but, since the mike was off, only Mom and those nearby could hear the tot’s tractor noises and murmurs of approval. Tucker and Quinton Aumann were enlisted to help, as well; this was indeed a family affair.

Nelson Aumann could be seen out and about throughout the day and had his Oliver 77, which is a family tractor. Jane added that this tractor has some sentimental value, and the family had it restored for Nelson one Christmas.

Several of the participants who came to the Customer Appreciation Day had also come to the area to attend an auction with many rare tractors that sold the day before at the George Sutton Antique Tractor Auction in Litchfield.

“The Sutton Auction had more than 300 registered bidders representing several states and six foreign countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Argentina, Scotland and Belgium,” Jane said.

Prices brought top dollar at this auction, for the unique and unusual. “The top-selling tractor was the C.O.D. 13-25 tractor. It sold for $150,000,” Jane said.

Other auction highlights included the Gray Drum Drive Tractor that sold for a whopping $92,500 and the Rumely Line Drive Tractor, which sold for $85,000.

Although there were many bidders from outside of the U.S., Jane added, “Only a few tractors went to overseas buyers, including the AC 20-35; it sold for $23,000.”

Deciding which event was more exciting would be a hard question for those who attended both the auction and the corn shucking/plowing day. Prices were on the lips of many collectors; one antique tractor enthusiast had a list of tractors and prices and was sharing it after a Sunday church service.

The prices the tractors brought received a few sighs … whether it was because people were thankful they had not spent the money, wishful they had or just plain tired from all the activity, is anyone’s guess!

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.