Mecum Auctions’ recent Gone Farmin’ Fall Premier sale in Davenport, Iowa, posted nearly $10 million in sales and a 96 percent sell-through rate, the auction company has reported.
A Gas Traction Company Big Four “30” tractor, a prairie machine that rides on wheels more than 8 feet in diameter, led the sale, going to its next owner for $315,000. The Big Four “30” was produced in Minneapolis in 1908 and featured advanced technology for that era. For example, it was one of the first with a gasoline engine that didn’t need to make numerous stops to refill the radiator.
Mecum notes that the Big Four 30 was particularly popular with farmers on the Canadian prairies.
“Thirty horses cannot do what the Big Four ’30’ will do for you” was part of the manufacturer’s advertising campaign.
Tractors weren’t the only items selling well at the auction. In the Road Art auction, a John Deere Plows sign brought $114,460 and a 1937 John Deere double-sided porcelain sign with a light-up hood went for $112,100.
Several trucks were on the docket and one of them, a 1934 Ford roadster, sold for $104,500.
The auction also generated $85,000 in donations for Curing Kids Cancer, Mecum Auctions’ charity of choice.
Top-10 sales, Gone Farmin’ Fall Premier Davenport 2019
- Gas Traction Co. Big Four ’30,’ $315,000
- Minneapolis-Moline UDLX Comfortractor, $157,500
- Minneapolis-Moline UDLX Comfortractor, $147,000
- 1934 Ford roadster, $104,500
- 1960 John Deere 630 Hi-Crop Gas, $99,750
- 1928 John Deere C, $97,125
- 1926 Fordson prototype, $90,750
- Minneapolis 35-70, $89,250
- 1959 John Deere 630 LP Hi-Crop, $86,100
- 1960 John Deere 630 All-Fuel Hi-Crop, $78,750
(Prices include buyer’s fee.)
Mecum’s Gone Farmin’ division opens its 2020 auction calendar on March 25-28 with its Spring Classic sale at Davenport.