Recognizing the rarest parts of our
transportation past is not always easy.
For me, the journey’s taken decades of research and discovery. It’s easy to look back on the past and see
benefits in it. In moments of disappointment, though, the frustrations of dead ends, lackluster finds, and even mistakes can be tough to deal with. Like
any journey, there’s a lot that can be learned through the process of taking
on a destination.
The more I’ve studied America’s earliest
wheels, the more intrigued I’ve become with the whole story – especially those
elements related to heavier western transports. As I’ve traveled, I’ve discovered that if my search
is too focused and narrow, I’ll miss a lot of great and truly rare pieces. So, today, our collection includes much more
than vehicles and associated sales literature.
Original signage, manufacturing tools, vehicle accessories, and the
like, all contribute to the story of the whole.
As such, each can add to the intrigue and interest in a
collection while helping preserve all-but-forgotten parts of our past.
For those that may be relatively new to
vehicle collecting, there are a couple things that are likely going to happen
as you seek out your favorite treasures.
First, you’re going to make mistakes.
Second, you likely won’t appreciate the value of those mistakes at the
time. Nonetheless, this process happens
to anyone serious enough to stick with collecting – whether for investment
potential or just the fun of it. Along
the way, there’s a hard side to learning.
Some things that may look valuable, often aren’t. At other times, some things that don’t look
valuable, may very well be. How do you
determine what is and what isn’t the best investment? Dedicated research and lengthy experience can
be great teachers. The problem with
experience is that it usually involves a past full of mistakes. One shortcut is to listen to those who’ve
gone before us. Hence the value of primary source materials. They can open up a world of knowledge to guide us through the maze of what’s
what.
Sometimes, we all can get impatient as we
search for pieces we really want. The challenges in finding those truly desirable pieces might even knock us down from time to time, convincing us that “all the good stuff
is gone.” In fact, I’ve heard folks
repeat those words many times. Unfortunately,
if we hear things repeated enough, we may start believing them – even if
they’re not true.
Time and again, patience and persistence
have a way of paying off. You may be
looking for a certain brand wagon and have no luck for years. Then, one day, it appears out of nowhere. I’ve been looking for a nice 42” Peter
Schuttler spring seat for years. Over
and over, I failed in my searching.
Then, earlier this year, I casually mentioned my search to a fellow
bidder at a sale. Yep, she had one. Great paint, great logo, original in every
respect. And yes, I have it now. Point being... don’t give up your searches. You never know what’s waiting just around the
corner.
To reinforce that point, I thought I’d
share a few more finds we’ve been fortunate to come across in the past few
months. Some are now in our collection
while others reside with other private collectors. All offer an opportunity to better understand
America’s first transportation industry.
Through these surviving elements, we’re able to know more about
individual brands, vehicle timeframes of manufacture, levels of originality,
unique features, manufacturing techniques, vehicle performance, and more. Hopefully, it’s a reminder that there are
still exciting finds out there just waiting to be uncovered and saved from oblivion.
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The
Kansas Mfg. Company from Leavenworth, Kansas was a legendary provider of
western vehicles during the 1870s and 1880s.
We recently found a virtually untouched 4-page flyer promoting their
spring vehicles.
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This
oversized, 1860-era Parker coffee grinder is missing the handle but is an extremely
rare find.
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Earlier
this year, I ran across a very early Columbus brand wagon in a private
collection in Kansas. While most of the
vehicle’s paint is gone, it’s a rare survivor, likely dating to 1904 or 1905.
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As
the name implies, drag shoes were used to help create drag and slow the descent
of vehicles in hilly terrain. They came
in an almost-endless variety of designs.
While many had a fairly smooth drag surface, others utilized in
difficult or slippery terrain might employ studs, spikes, or runners for added
security and support.
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Doug Hansen is not only an exceptional craftsman, when it comes to
collecting, he has a real eye for quality.
The two photos above show him with a one-of-a-kind rave frame wagon box
likely used as a patent model or promotional sample.
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This
1900 Peter Schuttler chuck wagon includes numerous features predominantly seen
on nineteenth century pieces. It offers
a rare look into this legendary brand’s design standards during their
transition into a new century.
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This
spoke tenoning machine was patented near the end of the Civil War. At more than a century and a half in age, it’s
a fully-functioning survivor.
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While
primitive by today’s metal-shaping standards, this 1879 tire bender can still
craft a wide variety of steel tire circumferences, widths, and thicknesses.
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