HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe 27th Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion, 1988-09-07, Page 3THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1988. PAGE A-3.
Brothers to show off model collection
For the first time in its history, the Blyth Thresher Reunion will have a real
collector's display of scale model tractors for the public to enjoy. East Wawanosh
Township farmers Cliff Schultz [left] and his brother Don will exhibit their200 or so
models, which they value at an average of about $100 each, although none of them
are for sale. See them in the steel shed beside the park ’s main ball diamond.
Show in Toronto to mark its 150th
anniversary, saying that he had purchased
the limited edition for about $50 at the show,
but now could easily get $200 for it, if he
wanted to sell.
They also purchase some of the items they
want through the pages of several farm toy
specialty magazines to which they sub
scribe, many of which carry columns of new
or used model equipment for sale or trade.
This forum is often the only place a serious
collector can find certain items he wants,
Don says, adding that he and Cliff are
particularly looking for a Model 4850 or 8650
John Deere limited edition tractor, but have
had no luck in finding one so far. It’s just a
model they like, and is of course becoming
more and more difficult - and more
expensive - to find each year that passes.
As well as collecting model tractors, Cliff
has become interested in making repairs to
some of the older and more decrepit items in
the collection, using tiny replicas of
everything from headlights to wheels to
authentic decals which are available through
some dealers. In addition, he has built a
handsome one-sixteenth Model 4020D John
Deere from a model kit, a range of which are
available, although not often seen.
The Schultz brothers say they will likely
show their collection at the second annual
Seaforth Toy Show this December, and will
show again at Teeswater and at Blyth next
year, if invited. But they don’t have the time
to take the collection to some of the larger
shows in the province, although lately they
have visited several throughout southern
Ontario, just to see what’s there, and what’s
for sale.
“It’s a pretty interesting hobby, and lots
of fun,” Don says. “It’s something you’d
never get tired of.”
We extend our
to everyone attending the
27th Reunion of the
Pioneer Thresher and
Hobby Association
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East WawanoshfarmersDon and Cliff
Schultz of RR 3, Blyth, are part of a whole
new generation of mep who have become
intrigued by one of the fastest growing
hobbies in North America: the collecting and
preservation of the model, or “toy” tractors
and farm machinery that seem to be
springing up all over.
The brothers have only been collecting the
models for the past five years, but already
they have more than 200 tractors of all makes
and sizes, as well as a few model combines,
which makes for a pretty impressive display.
This year for the first time in its history, the
BlythThresher’s Reunion has asked them to
exhibit their collection, which will be set up
in the steel shed beside the main ball
diamond at the Blyth Park.
However, the Schultz collection is for
display only - none of the items are for sale at
this time, although Don says that they could
easily have sold a number of them earlier this
summer when they displayed them at the
Teeswater Toy Show. ‘ ‘I suppose we’ll get to
the point that we are willing to sell certain
ones,” Don says, “but not just yet.”
(Stoltz Sales and Service, a farm
equipment dealer in Listowel, will however
have its usual large display of farm models
and toys for sale in the Arts and Crafts
building at the Steam Show.)
Don and Cliff have purchased most of their
collection as new models when they come out
each year on the shelves of regular farm
equipment dealers, including a number of
limited or special edition models, which are
the ones that escalate in value, sometimes
very rapidly. Don indicated a one-sixteenth
scale model 5020 John Deere tractor,
released by the company at the 1987 Farm
MANNING'S
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Corner of Hamilton St. & Hwy. 4, BLYTH
News item:
... one day in 1883, a weird, unpainted
contraption took to the mud roads of Western
Ontario. Its principal claim to being an
automobile were that it was steam-powered
and made enough noise to drive any nearby
horse into the ditch. Many of the horses
which wound up in ditches, prickly copses or
grain fields had carriages or farm wagons
behind them. The car became very
unpopular. Stormy meetings of farmers
were held todetermine how this mechanized
tnenace could be got rid of.
Again the Kelly sensitiveness to the
matter of votes surged uppermost. The car
lost out. It was converted into metal working
parts of the flour mill.
But Patrick Kelly was astute and
prophetic. “Mark my words, son,” he said,
“That’s the coming thing. I shouldn’t be
surprised that someday men even invent a
machine that’ll fly.”
From an interview with J. B. Kelly, in the
Blyth Standard, March31,1948.
' on the
27th Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion
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