By BARB VAN LOO
Auction Exchange Correspondent HOLLY, Mich. — Remember the old nursery rhyme about Contrary Mary and her garden with “pretty little maids all in a row?”
The auction site just outside of Holly didn’t have “pretty little maids all in a row;” instead, there were “green John Deere tractors all in a row.”
It was quite evident that these were to be the major items of interest at this auction, which was being held by the Braun and Helmer Auction Service, Inc., to dispose of the estate of Dave York. York’s hobby had been acquiring and restoring John Deere tractors.
In addition to the long row of tractors there was a second row which contained many John Deere lawn tractors and farm equipment items. There were also collectible toy John Deere tractors, many still in their boxes, John Deere and other advertising signs, lots of shop tools and miscellaneous items, coins and a large variety of antiques and household items.
The start of a Braun and Helmer auction is unique. David Helmer and Brian Braun assume positions in close proximity to each other, they each pick up an item and the auction is off and running with two rings. Since David and Brian are so close to each other, it is possible for one to bid on something in each ring at the same time. For a short while, there was a third ring in which Jerry Helmer sold coins.
The John Deere tractors were by far the items for which many people had come and they eagerly followed David to the long line of tractors. A John Deere Model LI tractor sold for $3,200; a JD Model R diesel, which was in good shape, earned $3,400; and a JD Model 730 gas wide front tractor with power steering and a three-point hitch crossed the block for $4,900.
A JD 520 narrow front gas tractor with remotes and a Roll-O-Matic saw a final bid of $2,800; a JC Model 70LP NF tractor saw $1,200; and a JD 60 LP with a single front wheel earned $550.
A John Deere H tractor in good condition with a one-bottom plow sold for $1,550; a JD Model M with a front blade, a rear two-point quick hitch with restoration in progress, saw $2,400; a JD 50 with power steering and roll-o-matic earned $2,300; and a JD Model A with previous restoration crossed the block for $2,700.
The bid of $1,500 was final for a JD unstyled Model A with a spoke wheel; $1,900 bought the JD unstyled Model B with a single front wheel and spoke wheels; and $500 to $1,500 were the winning bids for the remaining John Deere tractors.
A John Deere Industrial 440 tractor crossed the block for $1,200; a tricycle tractor with spoke wheels sold for $1,400; and, sort of by itself among all the John Deere tractors, a solitary Minneapolis-Moline propane tractor saw a final bid of $500.
Also popular were the John Deere lawn tractors, with many bidders availing themselves of the opportunity to obtain one. The amount of $250 was the winning bid for both a Model 110 and a Model 140 while a Model 70 sold for $225.
A JD 200 lawn tractor saw $275; a JD 112 earned $110; and second Model 140 crossed the block for $300.
Then there were the John Deere items for the child in all of us. A John Deere pedal tractor with a cart crossed the block for $275 – making some little kid happy, unless it was intended to be put in a John Deere collection.
There were also several John Deere model tractors, many of them from John Deere shows and only available to attendees. The one that garnered the most interest was a 1/16th-scale armored Model A tractor. This was a prototype made during World War II, and earned $150. Other model tractors included a Model 830, a Model G high-crop, a Model 420, a Model A high-crop … and the list could go on and on. The selling price for most of these was in the $25-$50 range.
Obviously, John Deere was the “name of the game” at this auction – and there was more. John Deere signs included a dealer’s sign that sold for $550, a porcelain sign from the 1960s that earned $625, a newer John Deere sign that saw $150 and a Farm Implements sign from Evans City Penn., that crossed the block for $175.
Other signs included a LimeCola advertising sign that sold for $85, an International Harvester sign for its wagons that earned $200; and a Mobil sign that saw $300.
A double-sided Mobil Oil display stand complete with oilcans crossed the block for $275.
A John Deere hit and miss engine was a hit with the crowd and saw a final bid of $1,700. A two-blade John Deere plow sold for $125 and a JD horse-drawn plow sold for $150.
A Griesdick Quality Beer cooler sold for $50; an old Pepsi cooler earned $45; a pair of railroad crossing signs earned $80; and a large button Coke sign sold for $175.
A Mobil Oil sign earned $50; a Pepsi bottle cap sign saw $40; and a sign declaring “Miller Lite Sold Here” crossed the block for $45. A Big D Seed sign sold for $90; a set of drills for $60; and a magnetic drill press crossed the block for $350.
A large round Mobil sign with the distinctive flying red horse sold for $165; a socket set sold for $275; an old model airplane earned $55; and John Deere thermometers sold for $55.
(One of the signs caused many to smile a bit. It was a sign that stated: “Wanted – A Good Woman, Must Have a John Deere Tractor, Send Picture of Tractor.”)
A Milwaukee band saw sold for $175; tractor seats earned $55 each; and a popcorn sheller earned $50.
A Ford F350 pickup truck sold for $3,000 and the 2007 36-foot gooseneck trailer that was attached to it sold for $5,600.
A John Deere garden cart sold for $150; a wood splitter earned $450; a winch earned $400; a Razor Back mower sold for $250; and a 90-inch Woods mower crossed the block for $300.
If you are considering having an auction or are looking for an auction to attend, log on to the Braun and Helmer website at www.braunandhelmer.com and also watch for their ads in The Auction Exchange and Collectors News.
David Helmer can be reached at 734-368-1733 and Brian Braun can be reached at 734-368-1734. |
