Hartung Auctions America by RM Auctions
Hartung, a native of Glenview, Illinois (north of Chicago) was distinct for his enthusiasm for all things auto related and his commitment to 'never sell anything'. Over five decades, Hartung acquired some truly rare and unique automobiles, motorcycles, related memorabilia, bicycles, number plates, toys and more. When the 86-year-old died earlier in 2011, his entire collection was put up for auction this past November through Auctions America by RM.
Being in the salvage and scrap metal business, Hartung had access to all manner of abandoned and junked vehicles, which explains how he was able to amass such a large collection. Incredibly, the vast majority of items are reported to have been sourced within ten miles of Hartung's home. The collection resided in a 10,000 square foot, dirt-floor shed Hartung constructed in the mid 1970s. Despite looking like a junkyard to the outside observer, the collection was carefully sorted and grouped into specific themes and areas. The collection was open to the public while Hartung was alive, but viewing was strictly by appointment. When Hartung died in May, 2011, his longtime partner Marjorie Cox decided to sell off the collection through Auctions America by RM this past November 3-5.
The fact that the auction, which attracted bidders from 45 US states and nine overseas countries, had to be held over three days and comprised 2000 lots gives an indication of the sheer size of Hartung's collection. The entire collection was auctioned at no reserve, but given the rarity of most of the motorcycle lots on offer, and the fact that the auction attracted some knowledgeable bidders with deep pockets, there were no real bargains to be had, at least amongst the vintage motorcycles.
Automobiles, including a collection of more than 40 Model A Fords, made up the bulk of the vehicles on offer, but the top seller across the entire auction was a motorcycle in the form of a 1913 Flying Merkel v-twin. This original example of a rare American marque sold for US$201,250 following a bidding war that eventually went the way of an un-named father and son team from the US East Coast. Early American motorcycles like this featured prominently, with Indian, Pope and Henderson amongst the lots on offer, as well as a number of Harley-Davidsons, none of which were newer than 1945.
Amongst the Henderson lots on offer, a 1926 Deluxe that was once in the possession of the Glenview Fire Department was the top seller at US$63,250. With a fire extinguisher slung on one side and a first aid kit on the other, the Henderson really stood out. It also featured a siren and warning lights at the front, and was finished in original fire department red livery. The next best selling Henderson was a 1928 Four. Finished in blue livery that was billed as an older repaint, the '28 model also came with a pair of canvas panniers and sold for US$54,625. Amongst the Excelsiors, a 1911 single sold for US$46,000; a shabby, but complete 1917 v-twin with period-correct sidecar sold for US$31,625; while a 1921 v-twin, arguably the best preserved of all the Excelsiors on offer, sold for US$48,875.
The 'Thor' marque was originally created in Aurora, Illinois, not all that far from Hartung's home town, so it was unsurprising he had a pair in his collection. Of the two Thors in the Hartung collection, the 1912 example was the better seller, due largely to the period sidecar with which it came fitted. It sold for US$54,050, while an older (1908) single sold for US$37,375. Both these were topped by a 1912 Sears v-twin. One of a number of motorcycles sold, although not built by the famous American mail-order firm, the Sears 'Auto Cycle' was billed as being close to running condition, and sold for US$66,125. A 1902 Wagner was the oldest of all the motorcycles on offer, and given its rarity and vintage features like wooden wheel rims, should have been another big seller. However, its price was greatly reduced by the fact it had a non-original frame. Despite this, it still sold for US$32,200. A 1912 Wagner that was definitely a 'project' bike, sold for US$14,375. A selection of Whizzer powered bicycles sold well, mostly in the US$1000 and up range. Another rare motorcycle was the 1905 F.N. With four cylinders and shaft drive, the F.N. was advertised as being original, but appeared to have been fitted with incorrect, later model wheels and tyres. Despite this, its rarity meant it still sold for a very respectable US$55,200.
Of the more familiar American motorcycle marques, Harley-Davidson was well represented at the Hartung auction. The top selling Harley was a 1912 belt drive single. The bike was in original condition and advertised as running perfectly. Untouched paint and period touches like an original 1913 registration medallion helped this early Harley achieve a price of US$115,000. The next best selling Harley was a 1915 single, billed as a rare two-speed example, which sold for US$57,500. A 1934 VLD v-twin sold for US$12,650, while a 1945 WL sold for US$13,800. Of additional interest to Harley fans was an original Harley-Davidson pushbike, with the 'H-D' monogram cast into the pedal sprocket, which sold for US$2588. Collections of Harley literature, including brochures, service books and parts catalogues, attracted good prices, often in the low thousands, but the top price for a non-motorcycle Harley item was the $4313 paid for a 'Genuine Harley-Davidson Oil' tin sign with chalkboard section.
Indians also fared well at the Hartung auction, with eight different examples on offer. Top selling Indian was a 1938 four cylinder model in original running condition, which made US$64,400. Another four-cylinder model from 1937 made US$46,000. Billed as being another original runner, the '37 Four featured a right hand side hand shift and curious angled exhaust arrangement. A 1941 Indian Four also made US$46,000, despite missing some parts and being fitted with Chief-style valanced guards. The oldest Indian on offer was a 1911 single with belt drive. Like the rest, it was in original, unrestored condition, but had been reshod with new white rubber tyres. It sold for US$51,750, while a pair of 1913 v-twin models sold for US$17,250 and US$55,250, the better price for the latter of the two reflecting its complete and running condition.
While the prices of the vintage American bikes were impressive enough, there was plenty of related memorabilia included in the auction. Of these, an original biker's cap from the 1920s, festooned with Henderson, Excelsior, Harley-Davidson and other badges from the period, went for an incredible US$7188. Non-American lots amongst the motorcycles included a number of C1960s and 1970s Hondas, Suzukis, Kawasakis and Yamahas, plus a couple of oddities like a C1960s Moto Morini Corsaro 150, BSA M20 and Solex moped. Unlike the early American marques, these lots were the bargains of the auction, most selling for under US$1000.
At its conclusion, the Lee Roy Hartung Collection sale had generated US$4 million in sales, with 100 percent of lots reported sold. The result was seen by Auctions America by RM president, Donnie Gould, as a fitting end to the 2011 auction season.
"We were honored to have been entrusted with the sale of the famed Lee Roy Hartung Collection and are very pleased with the results," Gould said.
"The sale was a terrific celebration of one man's drive to collect and preserve American history. Collectors recognized the range of rare ownership opportunities the sale presented, as was reflected in the strong attendance and results."
For further information on upcoming events, or to view complete results from the Lee Roy Hartung Collection sale, go to www.auctionsamerica.com
All images copyright Darin Schnabel, courtesy of Auctions America by RM.
