If you are thinking about starting
a collection you might consider John Deere memorabilia.
The John Deere Company has devoted
fans and collectors throughout the world. These devotees are described as “bleeding
green.” I must admit to being one of
these fans. A small collection of its licensed collectibles such as miniature
tractors, tins, plaques, road signs, salt and pepper shaker tractors, tree
ornaments, toy banks, clocks, trays and cups occupy my modest dwelling.
“Bleeding green” can be addictive.
The John Deere name is known
worldwide today but it wasn’t always that way. Born into poverty in Vermont in
1804, John Deere persevered and became an accomplished blacksmith. After a move
to Illinois, Deere discovered that the soil there was thicker and heavier and
stuck to the cast iron plows brought from New England. The ingenious Deere
designed a polished plow shaped like an icebreaker, which solved the problem,
and sales of it took off and so did his company. He went on to design other
items such as a rider cultivator, cotton planters, wagons, buggies and even
tapped into the bicycle craze for a period.
It wasn’t until 1918 after the
acquisition of the Waterloo Traction Engine Company that the company began to
manufacture tractors for which it is now famous. In the 1950’s the company
moved into the residential sector when it began to produce lawn and garden
tractors.
Today the John Deere Company is a
worldwide organization producing equipment for farming, construction,
residential, landscaping and other markets. Its leaping deer symbol first
introduced in 1876 and tweaked throughout the years, and its yellow and green
theme is internationally recognized. The hallmark and success of the company is
innovation–a concept the customer oriented Deere insisted on early in his
career. His motto was, “I will not put my name on a product that does not have
in it the best that is in me.”
Almost from the beginning, toy
companies and other manufacturers began to produce miniature replicas of its
products and other memorabilia. Almost anything the company made is available
in miniature. Genuine John Deere items will have some form of identification
indicating the company licensed the products. Imposters will have no such
identification. Although the familiar green and yellow theme may appear on an
item, it may not be a true Deere product.
These miniatures and memorabilia
sell as well as the actual John Deere products. An early hand panted iron toy
tractor can be quite valuable. As always, rarity and condition determine value
of any vintage item. Two excellent reference books on Deere collectibles are Warman’s
John Deere Collectibles by David Doyle and John Deere
Collectibles by Brenda Kruse. Both volumes have colorful photographs and
suggested values.
This writer was supposed at the
large loyal following of this famous brand. There are many John Deere museums
housing both the real items and the collectible memorabilia. Some auctions have
also been set up just to sell John Deere memorabilia.
Collectors’ clubs have been formed
for the addicted fans and collectors. In addition websites have been
established to buy and sell Deere collectibles, with discussion groups, news
and postings about upcoming Deere auctions. A little research on the web will
put you in touch with one of these groups. One that I found is located at
http//www.greencollectors.com.
The beauty about Deere collectibles
is that they keep making them so it doesn’t cost much to assemble a fine
collection of Deere memorabilia. I recently bought a licensed miniature tractor
for one dollar at a dollar store. Although you might not find that good of a
bargain, a search of flea markets, yard sales, garage sales, and the internet
will yield some nicely priced pieces. Deere collectibles come in a seemingly
never ending variety from miniature tractors, to dishes, to paintings, to tins,
pens, fobs–even clothing.
An inexpensive and colorful
collection can be put together from Deere memorabilia and such a devoted and
large following has developed through clubs, auctions and internet sites that
collecting these pieces is a good way to meet interesting people. If you’re
thinking about starting a collection, think about a John Deere collection.
