Mecum Auctions Makes Impressive Impact with Successful Warner Collection Boat Sale
It was a significant weekend in the antique boat hobby as Mecum Auctions drew out the who’s who among classic boat collectors for the Warner Collection Auction event, where 126 vintage boats sold for nearly $4 million (excluding buyers’ premiums).
From major boat collectors and dealers to restorers and new hobbyists, bidders came from across the country as well as from overseas to attend the Oct. 16, 2010 auction in Winsted, Minn.
“As we continue to grow our presence in the boating industry, we are learning that this hobby, much like that of the classic car market, is supported by a tight-knit community of enthusiasts,” said Dana Mecum, president of Mecum Auctions, which has served the collector car industry for more than 20 years. “The Warner Collection auction was the most important event to date for the advancement of antique and collectible boats in the history of the hobby. It is a strong indicator of the enthusiasm for boat auctions and we are excited about the prospects of this emerging market.”
The event’s high sale was a 1929 Dingle 30’ Runabout known as the Gerry Lo, a custom designed and built fast triple cockpit runabout that sold for $285,000.
The top 10 auction sales (all sales reflect hammer prices) were:
1. 1929 Dingle 30’ Runabout, Gerry Lo (Lot S69) at $285,000
2. 1932 Chris-Craft 27’ Runabout, Sugar Lady (Lot S28) at $275,000
3. 1929 Chris-Craft 28’ Runabout, Tuxedo Taxi (Lot S39) at $160,000
4. 1996 Gar Wood 33’ Race Boat, Baby Gar IV (Lot S84) at $155,000
5. 1949 Hackercraft 36’ Runabout, Thunderballs (Lot S79) at $150,000
6. 1909 Moore 41’ Enclosed Glass Window Launch, Harriet (Lot S148) at $130,000
7. 1932 Hackercraft 38’ Runabout, V.S.O.P. (Lot S140) at $117,500
8. 1929 Sea Lyon 30’ Runabout, Eclipse (Lot S123) at $105,000
9. 1950 Richardson 32’ Launch, Hamilton No. 4 (Lot S146) at $103,000
10. 1955 Chris-Craft 29’ Sportsman Utility, Uncle Sam (Lot S45) at $100,000
The Warner Collection was started by lifelong collector F. Todd Warner, owner of Mahogany https://pharmacy-no-rx.net/diflucan_generic.html Bay, one of the world’s leading authorities on vintage watercraft. The collection includes wooden boats built from 1903 to 1996.
“I bought my first vintage boat at age 12 – a 1947 Higgins 17’ sport speedster – and from there I caught the bug,” Todd Warner explained. “I am a preservationist first and foremost, and it is important for these boats to be around generations from now. I am grateful to Mecum Auctions for helping me share this collection with such a wide range of enthusiasts because there truly is something for everyone who wants to be involved in the hobby, from duck boats and cabin cruisers to race boats and runabouts.”
The Mecum team delivered the signature entertainment-style auction they have become known for on their popular television series, Mecum Auto Auctions: Muscle Cars & More on Discovery Communications’ HD Theater. In addition to boats, they sold vintage inboard and outboard engines, collectible accessories and hard-to-find parts at the auction.
“There is nothing like the magic of an auction,” shared John Williams, a collector from Kentucky who purchased a 1932 Hacker 28’ runabout at the auction. “This is my 8th wooden boat, and my wife and I plan to use it on Lake Cumberland. I really love this boat and look forward to giving it the professional restoration it deserves.”
Curt Erikson, a 30-year wooden boat collector from Seattle, Ore., shared in the excitement: “This is the most exciting thing the hobby has seen in 20 years,” he said.
Complete auction results are available to Mecum InfoNet members, which is free to join at www.Mecum.com. Mecum Auctions plans to expand their presence in the classic boat industry throughout the coming year, offering the rarest, most sought-after Riva at the upcoming Mecum Kissimmee Auction Jan. 26-30, 2011.
The Mecum Auction Company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for 23 years, now offering an industry-leading 5,000 collector cars per year. Consignment, bidder and event information is available online at www.Mecum.com or by calling 815.568.8888.
