Old Town display samples at auction

[Roger Young]

Just thought I'd mention that a 50" Old Town display sample sold in a North Carolina auction this morning (17 March 2012) for $10K, plus another 25% to cover buyer's premium and state sales tax. It was in very nice condition for its age (likely early 1920's, though advertised as being 1900). This sale had results very similar to a New Hampshire auction late November last year, in which a 48" OT display model with additional 'Saggahew' brand decals went for $11,000 (plus buyer's premium and tax). Photos of both models are below; the brown-colored piece is from the NC sale; the green Saggahew model from NH. The green model was a 'closed gunwale' version, and possibly the earlier of the two. I should add that, even at these prices, both models did have slight damage and wear. The NC model was missing its front seat entirely, and had a loose rear thwart, as well as a small area of missing paint on the bottom and various minor dings or blemishes. The NH piece had a damaged rear seat, two missing thwarts, missing stem bands and rather badly flaking paint over most of its bottom as well as a couple of serious dings or scrapes, though no apparent through-holes or breaks. Fairly strong prices, but in line with recent sales history for OT models.

 

[Roger Young]

here are a few more (and I hope better) pics of the 'Saggahew' Old Town sample from the New Hampshire sale. I have revised these photos from those originally posted so that they will now enlarge and show more detail.

 

[Roger Young]

a few more photos of the brown colored model sold in the NC auction by Leland Little. There are two known 4' Old Town display samples which were originally painted with a brown hull; one shipped in Feb. 1926, the other shipped in Aug. 1927. A third 4' model, shipped in Mar. 1927, was painted orange and wound up in the Georgia area, later known to be in Virginia. While the model sold at auction had no visible serial #, I believe it's a reasonable bet that it's one of these three, and, perhaps, the last-mentioned.

 

[Kathryn Klos]

Thanks for sharing this information and for all the research you've done, Roger.