A farm toy auction, which organizers suggested was a first for Saskatchewan was held in Yorkton Friday evening.
"A farm toy auction that's tied to a toy show, yes it is," said Al Kuntz. He and brother Jeff are partners in Jakz Farms Toy who managed the sale.
Al Kuntz said they organized the sale, "because we love the hobby and wanted to promote it."
Kuntz said the idea for the action came about over supper following a toy show in Saskatoon more than a year ago. He said following the event six vendors always go out to eat, and talk ended up on the idea of an auction.
"One of them said it would be nice if there was an auction with the Yorkton (toy) Show," he said, adding "that's kind of what got a bug in our ear."
Kuntz said the idea of an auction with the long-running farm toy show in Yorkton had been discussed in the past, but manpower and space limited organizers from taking the step.
So the Kuntz brothers decided to take it on, because they saw a need for it, and wanted to support a hobby they are already involved in.
By holding it the Friday evening before the toy show, Al Kuntz said "people can come and make a whole weekend out of it."
Kuntz said the show organizers were very supportive of the sale effort.
Kuntz said the auction idea serves the industry in a number of ways, attracting toys from vendors who attend shows across the Prairies and from collectors too.
In the case of vendors an auction is a way to move toys which may not have flown off the shelves at various shows.
"They've hauled it around for three years, and they're done with it," said Kuntz, who added he knows about that as a vendor himself.
The sale also serves collectors. In some cases it is a way to sell off a few duplicate toys, or the John Deere which doesn't fit a Case-International collection.
As an example, a North Dakota collector consigned some toys which commemorated the Ontario Toy Show.
"He said he couldn't give them away down there," said Kuntz, noting the consignor hoped they have more interest in a Canadian sale.
In another case a consignor had a collection that he no longer had room for as he was retiring to a senior's housing unit.
In the end the sale attracted 221 lots from 25 consignors from the three Prairie provinces and North Dakota.
Kuntz said they were hoping for at least 200 lots, as that would put the sale in a position to break even on its advertising, facility and auctioneering costs, but keep the sale under four-hours, sort of the maximum they thought they could hold a crowd.
"We're not doing it to make money," Kuntz said, but added breaking even was a goal to make it viable to undertake the sale next year.
Before the auction patter of Paul and Jamie Moore started Friday Al Kuntz said he expected a John Deere pedal tractor, and a special edition Case to vie for top-selling toys in the sale.
In the case of the pedal tractor Kuntz said, "it's from the '60s, and it's John Deere," both elements which hinted at a high-seller. He noted at an auction he attended in Dyersville, Iowa a pedal tractor from the 1940s topped the sale at $4,600.
The Case 1200 came with a special edition plaque, and letter of authenticity, and a unique serial number. It was made by Precision Engineering, a company Kuntz said is known for quality reproductions.
"I had one like it and sold it at a show for $400, and I have one in my collection at home," he said.While both came close, it was a dark horse toy which garnered the top bid of $475, a Custom 852 Massey Ferguson pull-type combine with pick up header.
Kuntz said a lady arrived at the sale just before the combine went under the gavel, made the purchase, and went home with her prize.
The John Deere pedal tractor brought $400 and the Case 1200 sold for $375.
A day after the sale Kuntz said the response appeared positive, with buyers from Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He said buyers are always satisfied with auctions because you pay just what you want to.
"And talking to some of the consignors that were there, they were very pleased with things," said Kuntz.
