Sullivan, IN - On July 9, Jeff Boston Auction Service hosted a captivating auction of vintage tractor and agricultural equipment manuals, part of the Jack and Ruth Ann Robbins estate. The nearly 400-lot online sale encompassed antique and vintage tractor, combine, and implement operator’s manuals, shop and repair literature, guides for heavy machinery, parts catalogs, and dealer advertising.   

The heart of the auction consisted of 300+ equipment manuals. The earliest were typically from the 1930s, with the exception of a few from the 1920s and prior. The most recent ones dated from the 1970s. Overall, most covered gear manufactured during the 1940s and ‘50s.

The sale featured pieces presented singly and grouped in sets. On the whole, the manuals sold within an expected range, generally under $20. Still, there were a few standouts. Those included one of the few pre-1920s pieces - a hardback 1917 Oliver Repair price list - that fetched $90. Bidding struck $77.50 for a 1969 John Deere price list while a 1930s/40s John Deere L owner’s booklet landed $60. While a few others exceeded $50, nearly half of the literature went for $5 or less.

The range of literature was vast, offering editions for seemingly every year, make, and model of tractor and farm machinery. Over 100 lots alone were for Deere equipment. Examples included an operator’s booklet for the 1960s/70s-era John Deere 4000/4020, which bid to $24; one for the popular Type D that brought $20; and a 1957 care and instruction manual for Deere general purpose models that hit $14.

Nearly four dozen more lots covered various years and models of Allis-Chalmers tractors. Taking the lead was a guide for a 1960s D-21 that fetched $13. An operator’s manual for a 7580 diesel scored $11, while another for the same model but in rougher condition left for just $7.

Another dozen featured Massey Ferguson and related Massey lines. Those included a 1953 Massey-Harris “Pony” guidebook, won for $9, one for a 1950s Massey-Harris NO 90 combine that pulled $7, and the $5 bid for a 1947 Massey-Harris 30 & 30K manual.

Ford tractor literature formed another segment of the sale. Eighteen lots included a duo with a Ford I&T shop guide and a Ford 2000/3000 owner’s manual. That hit $14. A Ford NAA owner’s notebook left for $11, while a well-worn 1950 Ford 8N operator’s guide was grabbed for just $5.

Among the other finds: a 1938 Oliver 90/99 manual snapped up for $24, a Farmall M/MD/Series 6 service handbook at $20, and one for a 1951 Case “D” Series for only $6. Even a rare Cockshutt Blackhawk “35” instruction book brought $7.

Manuals for agricultural implements made up another substantial portion of the event. A 1943 Deere mill & grinder handbook led at $20, just ahead of a 1970s owner’s manual for John Deere 4000/4020/MX rotary cutters at $19. An interesting 1937 price list for Oliver horse- and tractor-drawn equipment followed at $16, while a 1940 John Deere H manure spreader volume came in lower at $11.

Bidding was modest on literature for construction and heavy machinery, but they held their own. A collection of six guides covering 80s-era dozers, loaders, and other machinery pulled $8. A Deere 350 crawler operator’s manual hammered down at $7, matched by one for the Model 1010. Later, an Oliver OC-3 crawler was picked up for $4.

More than 30 parts catalogs and lists went steadily. Examples included a 1942 Farmall “H” parts catalog that rose to $22. Bidding managed $12 on a 1938 Oliver set-up, operating and parts list, an early (1917-1937) McCormick-Deering parts catalog for the Type “L” engine sold for the same.

Vehicle manuals rounded out the diverse literature available. A collection of nine GM truck operator and repair handbooks hit $14 while a similar batch for Ford diesels pulled in just $3. Another $3 won a 1965 Corvair chassis shop manual.

Adding variety to the auction were a few advertising collectibles, including a dozen ag-branded yardsticks and pointers. Prices ranged from $3 for a Farm Bureau example to $20 for a rarer square IH-Farmall-McCormick Deering yardstick. A simple 12-inch Oliver decal also went for $3, rounding out the sale with unique finds for every collector.

For information on upcoming Jeff Boston auctions, visit: bostoncentury.com