This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We can help you sell quality Antiques  Contact Us.

For further info on consigning / selling your antiques with us please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages.

Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.

1906 Salesman Sample / Patent Model Corn Planter w/ Metal Carrying Case  This is an interesting salesman sample / patent model of a corn planter invented by Missouri resident Joseph N. Frame and patented in 1906.  It has been in the same family since that time and is being offered for sale here for the first time

The model is unmarked, but this unusual piece has been handed down through the family and has all the correct provenance, including the original patent papers issued  both here in the US and from Canada to Mr. Frame.

 This is possibly the original patent model, or a second model that he made to illustrate the operation for new prospective customers or manufactures.  It is known that the Patent office did return models to the owners or their families at one time if requested and that could be what happened here.   The rest of the story as I was told by the granddaughter is that Mr. Frame made one full size example and was about to begin production and promotion of his idea when a flood swept away the machine and all hope of further development as he ran out of money.  

Mr. Frames idea was very simple and yet effective, perhaps too simple to appeal to the large makers who were by this time in control of much of the corn planter and farm machine market with much more complicated and expensive examples to perform this task.  Joes idea was that the main axle would have a kink or bend in it, and that would drive a rod connected to a pivoting piece that would swing back and forth to operate the planter hoppers.  There was no transmission to speak of,  but he did have it designed to not operate when backing up, and he also provided for the pitman arm to be disconnected to stop the seeding operation altogether when moving it from field to field.

The model measures 12" long, x 7" wide and the wheels are about 6 1/4" dia. which would make it the right size for a patent model.    The box is a galvanized tin and it measures 14 x 10 x 8.   The model is made almost entirely of brass with soldered joints. There is some fine machine work involved in the ratcheting mechanism to allow this to be turned or backed up when in use.  

A one of a kind piece of American Farming History that has a great look and  appeal both historical and graphic.  Americana with a purpose at its finest.    

IOWA-CPM-1

Good+. . . . . . $3750.00             SOLD!!

Unmarked Model / Salesman Sample of Disc Harrow     This model / salesman sample is unmarked and a bit different from those listed in the reference I have in that all the ones shown there are lower to the ground with small wheels up front and the disc set up behind, or completely wheel less with the driver just sitting in front of the discs.  I imagine that this set-up would have cost a bit more and helps explain why you do not typically see ones like it.  In addition to the 6 discs, this one is also set up with a chute for either fertilizer or spreading seed I imagine, but am not completely sure.  Another interesting feature is the spring loaded seat which would act as an early shock absorber.  It also is set up to have the discs work at different heights, and this is accomplished with chains and the lever actuated handles on either side. Note the custom shaped box which is original as well.  The model slides in snug as a bug, with the secret being to put the tongue in its holder first and then gently lower it into place and setting the locks over the axles.  All in all a neat example of a hard to find model.

Excellent ..... $2750.00     SOLD

Unmarked Model / Salesman Sample of Hay Tedder  The detail that went into the making of this model, and the mechanical mechanisms incorporated into its design, leave little doubt that this interesting farm machine model was either intended as a patent model or was a salesman sample.  The operation of the articulated arms and the lever actuated clutch mechanism are superb.  The idea behind this sort of machine was that after mowing, you would go back through and use this machine to loosen up or move around the fresh mown hay to help it dry more evenly.  It is one of the most dramatic and well done models that I have ever seen.   I would never have been able to buy this at most antique shows, or at an farm / engine show, as the price would have been prohibitive in those venues.  Perhaps from a dealer who needed or wanted to sell it, but ironically I was able to buy it at one of the two best known of all auction companies in America for about 10 cents on the dollar of its known worth or current value.  Another example of the fallacy of top dollar always being realized for your antiques at the auction house.

Excellent ..... $995.00     SOLD

Salesman Sample Plow  It is not often that I have the opportunity to buy a piece as nice, well made and detailed as this salesman sample of a single pull plow.  The detail and construction features are second to none, and I only wish I had more information on it or knew what the writing and numbers on the back of the blade referred to. It is unmarked as to maker.   It has an interesting feature where the bottom half of the cutter is removable / replaceable, I suppose for when it wore out or needed to be re-sharpened.  I have several more farm type machines posted to these pages, and they are among the favorite our pieces.  I wish that there were more available so that we did not have to wait so long between obtaining the next one.

Excellent ..... $295.00     SOLD

McLean's Reversible Plow Patented July 20th 1886    This super piece is another example of the level of quality and craftsmanship of antique that is sometimes available even here on the West Coast, if you are in the right place at the right time.  Both the construction details and the condition of this model are superb.  In some ways it makes sense that this turned up in California, as this is where the hills are and where early farmers had to come up with a workable idea to overcome the side of those hills when it came time to turn the earth in preparation for planting.  As can be seen in the pictures,  the entire upper mechanism is reversible, while the cutting  blade is two-sided.  When you and the horse came to the end of the row you simply released the lever provided and then walked the hooked-up horse around, flipped the furrow knife / cutter device over, and you were ready to go again, always depositing the turned earth to the uphill side.  I have seen full size versions of this idea, but never this exact model.  I would be interested in obtaining one if you know where one is.  I have provided more pictures to let you see some more of the detail and to help get a sense of the operation.  It is a neat piece, and I am in the market for others as I am always looking for other early pieces of farm machinery to add to our collection.    

Excellent ..... $1295.00     SOLD

Horton's Seeding Machine and Horse Hay Rake Salesman Sample     This is the most complete and well documented antique farm machine salesman sample that I have ever seen.  It is also one of my favorites.  Besides the well constructed and highly detailed model of the implement and its original box, there is a packet of paper and contracts related to this seeder / rake outlining  the history of Mr. Horton's patented invention.  This is a great model, and Mr. Horton received at least two different patents on it.  It is an interesting combination of a hay rake and a mechanical seeder that was removable, thus allowing for better use of the limited storage area available to the small farmer.  From the paper work included, it seems that Mr. Horton took on some partners to help finance and build his invention, and there is paper work and documents to attest to all of this.  He was to be paid a set sum for each one sold from the group in Centre Hall, PA, to whom he sold the rights to the machine.

Excellent ..... SOLD

Adriance-Platt Salesman Sample of a Horse-Drawn Mowing Machine      This is an Adriance -Platt mowing machine from Poughkeepsie N Y.  This firm was another well known and prolific maker of farm machinery during this period near the turn of the last century. 

Excellent ..... $4500.00     SOLD

"Jones" Salesman Sample Horse-Drawn Mowing Machine I found this wonderful antique salesman sample horse-drawn mower right here in California when I was back here checking up on a rental that needed work a few years ago.  We decided to go to a local street fair for some sightseeing and exercise at 4:00 in the morning, and there it was in a toy dealer's booth ........This one started me on a campaign to own more, many more.  It has been a challenge, but I have been able to add a few more.  This model is in pretty good condition and after having seen another example with the same paint scheme I believe this ones paint to be original.  As with others I have seen the mower bar was made to work, but is a bit sticky and gummed up from sitting so long.  The cast iron cutout seat is super, as are the transmission and brake mechanism.  Where do you find them, and when is another going to come along!!!

Excellent ..... $2450.00     SOLD

Salesman Sample of a Lifting Farm Gate  This antique salesman sample gate is a great idea and very nicely made.  The inventor took great pains to make a special shaped tapered box to hold it as can be seen. There is a name on the box, and it looks to read Buck XXx of Oregon.  That is where it originated from.  The top is wider than the base to allow for the levers on both sides to operate.  

The maker put a lot of effort into the detail of the gate itself with Mahogany being the main material. It looks to be a patented idea and this was the model he took and used as a sample thus explaining the box.   The simple but effective design of the mechanism is great. 

The idea is that the traveler or homeowner would upon reaching the gate, pull on the lever, and because of the hinges and weight the gate would fold up and out of the way on a hinge or pivot and when it reached the tipping point fold all the way back.  It was perfectly weighted so that a simple pull would raise or lower it.  Nifty Idea that has applications today.

Excellent ..... $650.00     SOLD

Salesman Sample of a Lifting Farm Gate  This antique salesman sample is a great idea. The maker put a lot of effort into the detail of the gate itself with some nice decoration and twisted wire embellishments at the top.  The simple but effective design of the mechanism is great.   I need a similar design at the bottom of my drive as there is not room for one to move back and forth as typically seen on gates like this. 

The idea is that the traveler or homeowner would upon reaching the gate, pull on the cord, and through a series of pulleys, weights, and hinges, the gate would fold up and out of the way on a hinge or pivot.  It was perfectly weighted so that a simple pull would raise or lower it.  Nifty Idea that has applications today.

Excellent ..... $395.00     SOLD

" The Lightning Hay Press" Patented 1885 Salesman Sample Hay Press  I got this interesting salesman sample here in California from a dealer friend.  It has a great look and is unusually large for this type of thing, so large I had trouble getting a picture of all of it in one frame.  But it is small compared to how big the actual piece would be.  Looking at the other pictures, the round wheel is where you would hook up one or more horses that would walk around it activating the press that was inside the framework through a system of ropes and pulleys.  I have seen ads for this device in Scientific America and other early farm magazines.  The outer portion is in pretty good condition and the writing and patent info is nice.  There is a part of the press inside that seems to be missing, but from what I can determine it is nothing more than a block of wood with hooks set into it, the plunger if you will.

      Good+ . . . . . $1200.00        SOLD

BACK

This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We can help you sell quality Antiques  Contact Us.

For further info on consigning / selling your antiques with us please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages.

Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.

This website is Copyrighted
(1998 - 2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker