SANDWICH, Ill. — Several handfuls of $1 bills and $1,000 notes were exchanged at the 41st annual Sandwich Early Day Engine Club show and farm-related consignment auction on June 23.

Items that brought a mere $1 each, despite the urging of auctioneer Chris Wegener of Sandwich, Ill., included a vintage paperback technical manual for a John Deere tractor, a set of hydraulic lines, muffler for a John Deere “B” tractor, a Reddy propane heater and a set of John Deere steering wheels.

The story changed, though, with a vintage gas engine buyer who shelled out $1,000 for a 2-hp “one lunger,” as these types are known. The engine was produced by the now-defunct Sandwich Manufacturing Co., formed in 1855.

“She came back home,” Wegener remarked of the trophy piece.

Six gas engines were consigned to the sale. The others were a 2.5-hp Wolverine that went at $350, a 1.5-hp John Deere at $500, a McCormick-Deering 1226 with carrying cart at $325, a 5-hp Sattley with cart at $500 and a 3.5-hp Economy with cart at $550.

More excitement was generated when an Oliver 660 vintage farm tractor brought $3,400, and its near-twin, an Oliver Row Crop 66, went for $3,350. A third Oliver tractor equipped with a bucket and wheel chains on rubber tires found a new home at $3,400. Bidding on an Allis Chalmers 37WC tractor climbed to an even $1,000, while a John Deere M went beyond to $1,450. An International Harvester H model sold at $850, and a vintage Oliver 70 topped out at $600.

The darling of the auction – if a tractor may be referred to as such – was a rather rusty 1935 Farmall F-12 on steel wheels with lugs. The F-12 was in good running condition. The carburetor and magneto had been overhauled, and the manifold, exhaust pipe, spark plug wires, hoses, temperature gauge and fan belt were all new. New oils were in the transmission, hydraulic power lift, engine and steering gearbox. New 50/50 antifreeze was in the radiator.

The engine was overhauled three years ago, and included new piston rings, rod and main bearings, gaskets, rebuilt cylinder head, new valves, guides, springs and driver’s seat.

Bidding on the F-12 opened low, climbed into the $500 range and hesitated a bit, then shot forward to sell at $1,000. The Internet shows an average price of $1,500 for an F-12 on rubber.

An old Oliver Hart Parr 18-28 row crop tractor on steel wheels generated some interest and reminiscing among observers, but little enthusiasm otherwise. Bidding on the Hart Parr started at $100 and ended at $200. Internet prices for this model average $3,022, with the low at $2,850.

An oddball item or two invariably turns up at almost every auction; this item at the Sandwich Engine Club auction was a bone grinder patented in 1885. A curious crowd surrounded the grinder, which resembled an old corn sheller, and watched it sell for $15.

Bone grinders were used on farms to grind or pulverize livestock and poultry bones for their mineral content, to supplement feed for domestic animals. A real corn sheller that stood near the bone grinder brought $25.

Other items of interest and their selling prices included a Yamaha electric golf cart at $1,750, a John Deere mini trailer at $400, a Campbell Hausfeld air compressor at $40 – “Nice buy,” Wegener observed – four metal spoke cart wheels at $96, a buzz saw on metal stand at $325, a pair of 6928 rubber tractor tires at $25, an Oliver 355 tractor cab at $100, vintage grinding wheel on a metal stand at $50 and a dual set of 13638 rubber tractor tires at $240. Three Minneapolis-Moline wheel weights brought $30 each; a welder and rods, $20; and for $80, a mini bicycle that needed a carburetor rebuilt.

A White grass mower with 96 hours running time brought $600. A John Deere 212 lawnmower that didn’t run sold for $100. A Snapper mower stopped at $500. A John Deere riding lawnmower that did not run and was missing the seat sold at $50.

Miscellaneous equipment included a wagon manure spreader at $310, single bottom plow at $35, iron tractor scoop at $8, railroad cart on wheels at $7.50, gasoline hose and reel at $17, old buzz saw blade at $15, Weed Eater for $10 and a pair of spoke metal wagon wheels at $25. Four John Deere planter boxes sold at $35 each, or four times the money to a single buyer. A magneto for a Case tractor came to $60. A new bench grinder brought $15, and a John Deere air pump, $30.

A riding lawnmower without motor was the only consignment that did not sell at the three-hour auction. Nancy Quantock of Mendota – spokeswoman for the Sandwich Early Day Engine Club, which was formed in 1970 and has about 135 members from five states – said the sale went well, she was satisfied with it and another show and sale is being planned for next year.

To learn more about next year’s plans, call 815-695-1472.