CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (Oct. 23, 24, 2009) – Rainy weather did not deter well over 2,000 people from attending an antique tractor auction this past weekend in rural Churubusco.

Some had to park over a mile away from the auction site at at (Gary) Parker’s Antique Tractor Museum and farm, 17218 Wesley Chapel Road.

The 2-day event drew 2,200 people from 27 states and four different countries, according to Aumann’s chief operating officer, Jodi Reynolds.

“In addition, about 850 bidder numbers were given out, and the bidders came from all over the United States and the world,” Reynolds said. “Some came from Canada, England, Ireland and the Netherlands. Our Web site had 24, 000 hits on this auction from 76 different countries.”

According to Aumann’s Web site, this sale featured more rare and unique tractors than nearly any other auction they have ever conducted.

It was the first time a prairie tractor – a  1912 IHC Mogul 45 HP, sn. X1281, the “crown jewel” of the entire antique tractor industry – had been available for many years, Reynolds said. The rare tractor sold for $275,000.

Other notable sales included:

• IHC Mogul 20 HP, Type C TC1310; Restored, 1910 IHC Mogul 20 HP, Type C, sn. TC1310, restored, Engine #: UB2050; SOLD – $140,000;
• Advance-Rumely F 15-30, older restoration, rare, 15-30 remains one of the most elusive models for most Rumely collectors; SOLD -  $110,000;
• 1913 Hart-Parr 30-60 5360: Original, running with extension rims, great old original tractor, from Christensen collection Conrad, Mont. Hart Parr was the innovator of many firsts, with the word “tractor” being one of them. The 30-60 was long termed as the “Old Reliable” in the Hart Parr line. Simplistic in design, the tractor served farmers throughout the world for decades; SOLD – $140,000.
• Galloway Farmobile: restored for this auction, fresh restoration, super rare with less than five in existence in this style. Possibly the only one to come to market; SOLD – $165,000.

Wesley Chapel Church hosted a tent and concessions for what Aumann Auctioneers, Nokomis, Ill., called the “most important antique tractor auction of the year.”

On Friday, auctioneers and hosts sold a collection of literature and hosted a Collector’s Social for about 300 guests.

“It was a lot of fun,” Reynolds said.

For more of the auction’s selling prices, visit www.aumannauctions.com.

About Aumann:

Aumann Auctions, Inc. was founded by Nelson Aumann in 1962. Currently, Aumann Auctions, Inc. conducts nearly 100 auctions a year throughout the country. The company’s reputation for friendly and professional service has been built on 43 years of ethical practices and the continual refinement of our craft, according to Jodi Reynolds, the company’s chief operating officer. The firm’s auctioneers are licensed in many states – and are members of many professional organizations including the National Auctioneers Association. Three of the firm’s auctioneers hold the prestigious CAI designation. Aumann Auctions continues to be family owned and operated and supported by a highly professional staff that is second to none, Reynolds said.

The auction - held at the (Gary) Parker Antique Tractor Museum on Welsley Chapel Road - featured this Oliver 80 and dozens of other rare and antique tractors.

Two men walk through the rain as they make the long trek back to their vehicles at the Gary Parker antique tractor auction on Wesley Chapel Road Saturday.

The lines of parked vehicles along the roadsides were spotted for miles in all directions.