SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. — Signs related to agriculture were the stars of a recent Chupp auction.

Selling for $25,000 was a rather drab-looking sign. It was a basic black with white lettering and not much to set it off as something extraordinary. But the name on this dark-looking display piece was Oliver. It advertised the “authorized sales & service of Oliver farm equipment.” It measured an impressive 10 feet by 30 inches and was made of tin and sandstone. 

A second sign, advertising Tydol Flying A gasoline, fell in line with a bid of $21,000. This one was double-sided porcelain and measured 73 inches in diameter. It still maintained an impressive color and was in excellent condition with just a few minor porcelain chips. The bright red “A” with wings behind it popped on this one.

Dain Hay Tools was also among the top contenders for the green bills. Joseph Dain incorporated the Dain Manufacturing Company in 1890. He placed his emphasis on manufacturing hay-handling equipment and became the largest manufacturer of hay stackers within 10 years. He also manufactured corn binders, tillers, harrows, and cultivators. This sign advertising these farm-changing items measured 96 by 13 inches and was made of wood and sandstone. The black background with simple white letters drew the customer’s attention. It took a final bid price of $15,000 to become the new owner of this relatively rare piece of history. 

Rare salesman sample pieces always seem to reach the Chupp Auction Company A nickel-plated brass spring tooth harrow, made by C.M. Clinton, who made all of Adriance’s salesman samples, measured 10 by 9 inches and was in excellent condition. It sold for $11,000. A salesman sample one-bottom horse-drawn plow pulled in right behind the spring tooth harrow piece with a bid of $10,500. This plow measured only 20 by 15 by 11 inches and was in good condition. It had been repainted. 

A framed picture of a deer pulling a lady in a carriage was advertising for the Deere Implement Company out of San Francisco, California. It measured 31 by 24 inches and was in very good condition with some minor discoloration. It sold for $4,000.

Winning its weight class was a 510-pound 1917 Arm & Hammer Farrier anvil. This heavyweight 40-inch long anvil was advertised as possibly the largest USA farrier anvil ever made. It was 40 inches long overall and sold for an impressive $8,000. An early wood beam hay car measuring 23 by 20 raised the bidding to $6,000 before it was marked sold. 

And Chupp Auction Company seems to have a handle on the old corn shellers. An M & S Houseman t-handle hand corn sheller with a patent date of February 11, 1868, is one of only three known to exist.  This unique piece of history sold for $12,500. A Union brand hand corn sheller was made in Dayton, Ohio. This tong-style sheller didn’t scrape the bottom as the bidding continued until it reached the $7,000 mark. 

A custom-made miniature John Deere 4020 with dual tires drew attention. Heartland Minis made this beautiful parade tractor with a rebuilt engine and a new paint job. It was running and looking great, perfect for someone looking to have some parade fun or just looking for a piece made to impress. It rolled in a final bid price of $13,000.