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Community Corner

Zionsville Man Brings Toy Fire Truck to Appraisal

It's a family keepsake that will continue to be passed along.

Name:  Bill Lagler

Where do you live? Zionsville

Event:  Antique Appraisal held on Aug. 15

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What did you bring for appraisal? A ladder/fire truck

Tell me about this item and why it is special to you:  “The ladder truck was built sometime in the early 1940s by a fire company in Baltimore, Md. This is what the firemen did between calls—they made toys.

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“My daughter-in-law’s mother received the truck for her fifth birthday in 1947.  When her parents had a yard sale, I purchased the truck for $50 and gave it to my grandson.  After he stopped playing with it, the ladder truck was stored in their attic where it rusted a bit.”

What were the auctioneer’s comments? “This is a fantastically great piece.  It’s made of tin and wood and everything on it was done by hand.” 

What was his appraisal of your item? $1,000-$1,500 at an auction; $2,000-$2,500 to a collector

How do you feel about that?  “That’s about what I figured, but I wanted to be sure. I’m glad I came.”

Do you have any plans for your item? “Well, it’s not going back in the attic.  It will actually be on display at the historical society for a while—I don’t know when, though. But I’m not going to sell it. It will stay in the family and be passed along.”

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