Farm collector-hobby over time.
Sitting in the Versailles room at the Gateway Mid-America Toy Show at the Sheraton Westport, was like a movie reel unrolling. People I know stopped by our booth.
We reminisced and recalled days gone by. I saw a young man I wrote about his farm layout many years ago walking around with a beautiful young wife. The young man across the way that was barely over the top of our table now stands almost as tall as me. There are holes. Those missing. Some I knew well, others only glancingly. But nothing stays the same. Toy shows like life, are ever changing.
The Hunt
Mr. Farmer, aka, my husband Keith pours over items in trading rooms. He brings in parts for unfinished projects. Friends Mark and Kelli Dozier came. Mark found a long-lost plastic farm toy from his youth.
My favorite toy is a dual answer. First I loved the beautiful turn of the century Adams Leaning Wheel Road Grader salesman sample! This cool sample owned by Michael Sharp was made by the Adam’s Company. The company was founded in 1885 in Indianapolis.
My 2nd favorite was made by Lone Tree Creek. Lee Friesen shared this model is by his son Seth. a mechanical engineer. He took the Minneapolis Moline NTX creating a model through 3 D printing.
The Auction
Dennis Aumann auctioneer had a huge auction. It lasted most of Saturday. The prize of the day was the Minneapolis Moline pedal tractor based on the UDLX. Brent Adkins shared it was made by Turner Welding. The pedal was # 4 of 11. With working lights, an opening hood that showed the engine, it sold around $5200.
Still Plays With Tractors
This fun Facebook group started by Daniel Wieland brought a big group of collectors together at the show. They had their 3rd meet and greet in St. Louis. Meeting is a chance to bring names to faces of the social media page that is 20,000 strong.
Social media continues to change this hobby. It broadens it, it expands it and brings in the youth. This year’s farm layout contest had a lot of young people. While spreading the word through the power of the internet, there is still nothing like holding a magazine like Toy Farmer in your hands and perusing the pages.
Changes yes, not good, not bad, just different. As Heraclius said, “There is nothing permanent except change.”
