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Antique Wagon Auction Brought In Big Bucks
During his lifetime, Walter Umphrey built a huge collection of Western, pioneer and hunting artifacts at his Timberline Ranch north of Beaumont, Texas. He was known far and wide for his philanthropy and work as a personal injury lawyer, especially when his team won a $15.3 billion settlement against the tobacco industry for the State of Texas. Umphrey died in September 2021, and family members held an online dispersal auction of his personal items. The sale included a large collection of wagons, carriages, farm tools, implements and equipment. His collection of horse-drawn buggies, carriages and wagons was always stored inside, so they were in original condition and brought top dollar from collectors, says Terry Allen, who lived at the Umphrey’s ranch for 30 years.
Texas pioneers and ranchers no doubt used Umphrey’s original 10-ft. long chuckwagon in the late 1800’s. Weathered and worn, but still in working condition, the wagon had a large wood storage cabinet on the back that folded down into a worktable. Bidding started at $525, and the wagon sold for $17,500.
Umphrey owned a horse-drawn hearse made by the Riddle Coach and Hearse Company sometime in the late 1800’s. The hearse was painted black, had glass sides, a rear lander and rode on 47-in. wheels. It sold for $15,550.
A 125-bu. capacity wood wagon made by John Deere started at $500 and sold for $7,150. A similar wagon made by Newton sold for $8,600. Other wagons made by lesser-known companies brought $4,000 to $5,000 each.
One of Umphrey’s personal favorites was a classic white carriage with a Bimini top, cushioned red seats and electric lights. Similar carriages are used for touring New York’s Central Park, the streets of New Orleans, Charleston, Savannah and other cities. The selling price was $7,100. A large collection of wooden wagon wheels, wagon parts, harnesses, old signs and wagon chassis also brought top dollar.
Seven Hills Auctions along with Coleman and Patterson conducted the sale noting that sale prices were good because Umphrey was so well known and the items were in original shape.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Seven Hills Auctions, Tallahassee, Fla. 32312.


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2022 - Volume #46, Issue #2