Full steam ahead as collection set to fetch £300,000
ENGINES AND TRACTORS GOING UNDER THE HAMMER
A LUTTERWORTH man’s collection of steam engines and tractors could fetch hundreds of thousands of pounds at auction.
The stunning collection was owned by farmer Richard Vernon who is seen as one of the “early pioneers” of the collection and preservation movement.
Richard, who died in 2021, amassed a huge collection of rare steam engines and vintage tractors over his life, with more than 200 to his name.
They were sourced from all around the globe, with Richard often seen travelling down the A5 on them.
He first learned to drive tractors at the age of 12 and never looked back, carrying on collecting and driving until the end.
Now, four of his precious collection will go under the hammer, with Cheffins Auctioneers predicting much interest and a combined price tag of nearly £300,000 potentially in the offing.
Among them is a pair of Fowler BB1 ploughing machines that date back to 1918.
The pair, dubbed “Princess Caroline and Princess Jayne”, have spent their entire existence in and around Lutterworth and could go for between £120,000 and £140,000.
Preservation was in Richard’s blood with his collection first beginning with a set of Fowler BB1s that he later sold on to Cheffins.
His links with the auctioneers were long-standing and made them the natural choice to sell on his collection after his death.
Richard’s son, also called Richard, fondly remembers his dad’s passion.
He said: “His lifelong passion for tractors and steam engines went back to his boyhood years, and from a very young age he started collecting model steam engines and building them from kits.
“Dad’s enthusiasm and ability to collect, preserve, maintain, and get mechanical things working was outstanding and a skill that not many possess.
“His efforts have undoubtedly preserved a unique corner of history and in the steam and tractor field he was very well known and respected all over the world.”
Other lots included in the auction are a very early Victorian 1884 Fowler SC ploughing engine named “Aethelflaed”.
The machine was purchased by Richard in 2004 and is estimated to fetch between £70,000 and £80,000.
A 1915 Fowler SC Class Colonial traction engine, which could be set to sell for £60,000 and £70,000, is also on offer.
Richard’s collection also includes rare British and American vintage tractors, including an unusual Grey 18-36 tractor built in the 1920s, while a series of other tractors - all built prior to 1960s will also go under the hammer.
A series of unusual and rare steam ploughing and cultivating tackle is also being sold, with the total sale – if upper estimates are met – surpassing £300,000.
Bill King, chairman of Cheffins, said: “Richard Vernon amassed this incredible collection over a 30-year period, creating what is easily one of the most important and eclectic selections of tractors from one single owner we have seen to date.
“He was a savvy collector over his 80 years, and sought out some of the rarest and earliest tractors in existence.
“He was part of the old brigade of early pioneers of collectors and preservationists.”
The collection is being sold off on Saturday, both online and at Hall Farm, in Lutterworth.
■ More information and catalogue details can be found on the Cheffins website.