Passing on a passion Sheldon Hahn prepares to auction his massive personal collection

Tori Sutton
Staff Reporter
It took over 40 years to collect, but over the course of three days hundreds of items in Sheldon Hahn’s huge vintage collection will be auctioned to the highest bidder.

It total, 1,200 pieces  – including 270 vintage tractors –  will be included in the auction, which will take place at Hahn’s farm at 2695 Perth Line 34 just east of Stratford from Aug. 7 to 9.

Everything from walking plows, cutters and buggies to rare tractors, threshing machines and vintage cars will be for sale.

“I don’t think there has ever been an auction of this size or calibre,” said Hahn, 72, in an interview earlier this week. “It’s quite a collection.”

Most of the items were purchased at century farm auctions. While Hahn was there purchasing livestock or machinery, the vintage equipment would often catch his eye.

“A lot of them he remembered as a child,” said his wife Jessie. “He particularly liked buying rare antique tractors.”

Though none of the items seem strange or unique to the Hahns, there are a few things you don’t see every day, such as spinning wheels, an old cider press, an ash sifter and laundry wringers.

Preparations for the auction have been under way since April and Hahn admits it’s tough to let all his treasures go. At one point, he even considered keeping it all and establishing a museum.

“It was time I did it before someone did it for me,” he said. “It’s time to let someone else collect it for the next 30 or 40 years.”

Even Jessie, who would often give her husband trouble for bringing so many items home, said it will be tough to see it all go.

“It looks wonderful displayed, I’ve never seen it so nice,” she said. “We’re going to miss it.”

There has already been plenty of interest in several of the items, including a 1965 Ford Falcon.

Other vehicles for sale include a 1920 Willy’s Overland, a 1917 Ford 490 Roadster and a 1938 Lasalle Sport, which was often referred to as the “poor man’s Cadillac.”

Hahn may be ready to let go of his collection, but said it may be hard not to start a new one once everything is gone.

“I’ll have to keep it under control,” he said, with a laugh.

For more information, call 519-271-1916 or visit www.hahnfarms.on.ca.

PHOTO: Sheldon Hahn poses with a 1917 Chevrolet 490 that will be included in an auction of Hahn’s massive personal collection of vintage farm tractors, farm implements, heritage collectibles and cars on Aug. 7 to 9. (Tori Sutton Photo)