- Q: Is this your first
book?
- A: Yes, although I've been a writer for
several years (see next question).
-
- Q: What else do you do
for a living?
- A: I'm a freelance advertising copywriter
who specializes in writing for agribusiness accounts. As owner
of AD-RITR
Creative Services, I write product literature, videoscripts,
ads, & other marketing collateral for ag & industrial
clients.
-
-
- Q: Did you grow up on
a farm?
- A: Yes, I was raised on the Steve &
Ronda Ebel farm in the northwest corner of Iowa (Paullina). We
grow corn, soybeans & hay, plus feed cattle & hogs.
-
- Q: Can you drive a John
Deere tractor?
- A: Sure can! As the oldest child, I quickly
became Dad's helper for chores and fieldwork, learning to drive
tractors & operate other farm machinery at a young age. I
was also very involved in 4-H & was named Outstanding 4-H
Girl of O'Brien County in 1990.
-
- Q: Where did you get the
idea for this book?
- A: My father-in-law, Jim Kruse, has been
an avid collector of green memorabilia for years. He & other
hobbyists were eager for a book on the topic that would serve
as a reliable source of information.
-
- Q: How long did it take
you to write it?
- A: Well, it was probably just about 3
months of actual writing. The real work (6 months worth) came
in finding memorabilia to feature, photographing collections
across the country, & researching the items themselves.
-
- Q: Do you collect John
Deere memorabilia?
- A: Yes, I do have a growing collection
of my own. However, I didn't intend to start collecting myself
when I started this project. It's addictive!
-
-
- Q: Whose collections are
featured in the book?
- A: The majority of the memorabilia shown
in the book are from about six major collectors in the Midwest.
Several special pieces from the Deere & Company Corporate
Archives accent the content.
-
- Q: What's your favorite
collectible category?
- A: Being a writer, I would have to say
the literature is "deere" to my heart. I love reading
the eloquent writing in ads & brochures from the early 1900s.
-
- Q: Do you write anything
else on John Deere memorabilia?
- A: As a matter of fact, I do. I write a weekly web column called THE GREEN GIRL on Mondays. Topics explore mysterious memorabilia, related company connections, & more! Check out the latest column now!
-
-
- Q: Where did you come
up with the prices for the value guide in the back?
- A: Appendix A is a per-chapter guide to
most of the memorabilia shown in the book. In addition to a description
& details, each listed item includes a date as well as a
range of value. This was based on input from several key collectors
& auctioneers, plus realized prices from recent sales &
Ebay listings.
-
- Q: In some cases, the
value range is rather large, like $600-1,500. Why couldn't you
be more specific?
- A: I tried to be as specific as possible
but didn't want to pigeonhole a particular piece either. As with
any antique, appraising the value is an approximation based on
its rarity, age, condition & other factors. This guide is
intended as a ballpark only. Please read my disclaimer in the
book for further explanation.
-
- Q: What are the most valuable
items in the book?
- A: Again, a tough call, but in my opinion,
these items stand out as the cream of the crop:
- Many Brands desk mirror shown on the cover
& on page 33: $1,500-3,000
- A few of the watch fobs on pages 18 &
19: $600-1,500
- Many of the Vindex cast-iron toys from
pages 101-102: $300-3,000
- 1940 Model A toy tractor with nickel driver
by Arcade: $275-3,000
|
HOME