Collectors
are the center of attention Decked in leaping-deer logo gear, enthusiasts young and old enjoyed a wonderful weekend in Moline…many making the John Deere journey from all over the country.
Collectors from California to Florida crowded into a cavernous structure just a block from the famed John Deere Pavilion and Commons. The reason for this mecca to Moline? The inaugural auction of the John Deere Collectors Center, which will be fashioned after a 1950s dealership when construction and renovation is complete in May 2001. Held August 12 and 13, this weekend event kicked off with an auction of toys and memorabilia on Friday afternoon and evening. Starting at 4 p.m., a bale-rack full of items ranging from toy tractors and tools to key chains and brochures sold to a crowd of collectors. Many simply observed, while others shopped with a simple nod of the head. Most of the memorabilia collectors could be seen swapping stories about items, showing pieces from their own collections, and seeking information on something they already owned or wanted to buy. It took until almost 10 p.m. to sell the 300-some pieces either donated or consigned. Billed as the first of its kind, Saturday’s antique tractor auction kicked off at 9 am. The putt-putt, pop-pop of the green machines accented the smooth, sing-song call of auctioneer Dennis Polk. The parade of green and yellow paint lasted until around 1 p.m. as around 150 tractors were sold.
Around 11 am, collectors and curiosity seekers alike crammed into the collectors center to get a glimpse of the high-dollar bidding war that quickly escalated to a fever pitch as the price for a rare 630 Gas Hi-Crop tractor finally reached $141,000. She was in showroom shine condition, purred like a kitten, and brought big bucks as a result of her scarcity -- only ten of this type were ever made. Former owner Chris Visser of Fresno, California, fully restored this rare beauty. By far the star of the show, the prized possession went to the Veselys of Owatonna, Minnesota. In addition to antique tractors and memorabilia, memberships for the Collectors Center were also up for sale. With three available annual levels, collectors can choose the degree of involvement and interest they want. According to Jay Preszler, approximately 100 memberships were sold in the first two days, including a couple of lifetime memberships to the tune of $5,000 each. Under the guidance of the John Deere Foundation, the John Deere Collectors Center and its companion website (http://www.JohnDeereCollectorsCtr.com) will provide access to restoration parts, information, and buy-sell opportunities. Members will have access to Deere’s corporate archives, allowing them to solve the many mysteries often associated with memorabilia. Another fun stop for most John Deere fans, including The Green Girl, is the John Deere Store. Getting "Great Green Gear" for yourself, a fellow fanatic, or the grandkids created a steady stream of customers in line at the checkout counter. One hot item was anything with the brand-new logo on it. Shoppers could choose from can coolers and coffee mugs to T-shirts and other trademark collectibles.
Another highlight of the weekend (especially for this budding book author) was meeting the authors of several famous John Deere-related books. The lovely Lois Zortman Hobbs, who wrote "Corny Cornpicker Finds a Home" and two other children’s books joined with talented illustrator Roy Bostrom to autograph books in the John Deere Store on Saturday afternoon. Originally written in 1959, "Corny Cornpicker" accompanied "Johnny Tractor and His Pals." Both were reprinted recently, and two new storybooks have been added to the growing collection. All in all, John Deere collectors and enthusiasts in attendance for the inaugural auction event got a glimpse of what the future holds for the soon-to-be-built John Deere Collectors Center. From what was overheard that weekend, collectors can’t wait! © 2000 Brenda Kruse |
