A couple from Strathmore, Alta, Dan and Donna Specht, are facing a bittersweet week as they bid farewell to their extensive collection of family treasures. Over the past fifty years, the Spechts have amassed a collection of over 500 John Deere collectibles, serving as a nostalgic link to their Prairie past. This collection includes a range of items, from tractors to dishes and decorations, and even small metal trucks that double as piggy banks. Donna Specht excitedly shares, “Each doll has a tractor to go with it. We have John Deere teddy bears.”
However, the time has come for the Spechts to part ways with their beloved collection. They have decided to sell off all their items in an online auction hosted by Frank McInenly Auctions. Holly Kugler, a representative from the auction house, expresses her admiration for the extensive collection, stating, “It’s very impressive. It’s not like you can just walk into a store and buy a collection like this.” The Spechts hope that this auction will generate a sum exceeding $50,000.
Donna Specht reveals that her passion for collecting these items stemmed from her fascination with their uniqueness. She explains, “I bought lots of these because ‘oh, that looks neat in our collection.’ And our basement got full.” However, Dan Specht had an advantage in building this remarkable collection – he worked for John Deere for an astounding 61 years. “I started in 1953,” Dan recalls. “I was 13 years old and worked weekends.” Thus, collecting these items became a cherished part of their family life.
The Spechts’ dedication to their collection extended to gift-giving occasions as well. For example, Dan shares a special memory involving a John Deere watering can, saying, “Donna didn’t want flowers for her birthday; she wanted a John Deere watering can.” Interestingly, Donna reciprocated this sentiment by gifting Dan a remote-control tractor for Christmas. Although Dan struggled to operate the toy, their grandchildren were more adept at maneuvering it.
As the Spechts prepare to bid farewell to their collection, they hope that the auction buyers will appreciate and enjoy these items as much as they have. Donna admits, “We’re at the point where it’s like ‘I’ve got a basement again.’ But yeah, it’s hard to get rid of them because you go downstairs and you go ‘wow’.” This emotional attachment is understandable, given the memories and history these collectibles hold for the Specht family.
In conclusion, Dan and Donna Specht’s farewell to their cherished John Deere collectibles marks both a bittersweet ending and the beginning of a new chapter. As the items find new homes through the online auction, the Spechts reminisce on the joy these treasures have brought to their lives.