by Philipp J. Altstaetter

Farm Shows; the memories we all have. I am sure every one reading here today could share some different and interesting story about one. This afternoon I have returned from chopping silage and am looking out my window to see the beans have a distinctly yellow cast to them. Both are signs that fall is fast approaching and like much of our Ohio growing season about 2 weeks or so ahead of schedule. As I think farm shows I think new paint, shiny tires, seed supplier tents, sore feet and legs, and much much more. Thinking these thoughts I struggled to find some middle ground on what to write about. However as Farm Shows have many “NEW” things at them I thought maybe our collections need something new as well. Many folks just collect tractors, or just implements, or in my case just John Deere. Others of us collect series be it the Toy Farmer series, the Toy Tractor Times series, or maybe even the two cylinder club series.

The big new thing in Precision Replicas this Fall is the new Precision Key Series from RC2-Ertl.  This is a new line of Precisions.  I have heard toy dealers and collectors a like joining in the rumor mill saying the Precision series is ending.  That is untrue.  Ertl is continuing our favorite line with some added features.  

Why did Ertl decide to start the Key Precision Series.

#1.  The Precision Classic Series started 14 years ago with the 1990 John Deere A on steel.  At the time the A was a major surprise to the collectors market.   People wondered if it would be a one of a kind or what would follow?  Many Precisions followed.  John Deere has produced 25 Precision Classics, CaseIH 20 Precisions, AGCO 10 Precisions and New Holland 8.  It was time to give collectors a chance to start back at number of their favorite brands.  This will hopefully add value to the Precision Classic line.

#2.   The Key Precision Series offers new collector options.  One of the reasons many people purchase Precision replicas is because they have an attachment to the real tractor.  They owned it, drove it, grew up around it etc.....,  the Precisions have allowed people to recapture fond memories in detail.  

The Key Precisions takes the memory factory one more step.  The Precision Classic Series were packaged with a gold medallion that indicated the number of the model in the brand series.  The Key Precisions will be packaged a replica of the actual key that ran the tractor.  Below is the first Key Precision John Deere 4430.  In the ad you can see the 4430 key on a gold John Deere key chain.  

Another big change is the packaging.  The Precision Classics were packaged in closed box and encased in Styrofoam.  This made it difficult to get at the model.  Many collectors became focused on keeping Precision Classics in pristine unopened boxes.  The detail inside could never be enjoyed.  You can read my June 2003 T.T.T. article "A Brick in a Box", The idea being that if the closed Precision box had the right feel and heft collectors mine as well have bought a box with a brick in it because they would never open it to see the super model inside.   The Key Precision Series packaging puts the model right out in plain view for the collector.  The open face box allows you to enjoy the model with out opening the box.

New box also incorporates the tractors original sales literature on the side and back panels of the box.  This adds to boxes appearance where Precision Classic box was just pictures of the toy inside.  The Key Precision Series box pictures replaces the reprinted replica original sales literature that was offered inside the Precision Classic box.

#3.  Key Precision also opens new modeling opportunities.  No longer are the classics up for Precision consideration but the modern classics as well.  Any tractor not in current production by an OEM may be a Key Precision.  For instance New Holland first started as a brand in 1990, so New Holland Precisions in the Key Precision Series may be blue tractors produced in the past 14 years.  All Key Precision Tractors will be 1/16.  Modern offerings will be offered in the 1/32 Precision II Series.  The Precision II line so far has included in 2000 the John Deere 9750 STS and in 2002 the John Deere 9420T and CaseIH STX 450 Steiger.

I am impressed by what I see in the new Key Precision John Deere 4430 introduction add.  I think many collectors will be as well.  I lean to the green brand but red collectors have two great models to look forward too in the CaseIH Key Precision series starting in 2005.  AGCO and New Holland Key Precisions are also in the works.

Now that the Key Precision Series is here, where does it leave the Precision Classic Series?  I often hear people down play the Precision Classic series saying well I could never afford those toys or they are all just too high priced for me. This often makes me frown or wonder how disappointing that must be that people just write off the series without much investigation. I recently had the opportunity to attend an estate auction where they had most, but not all the John Deere precision’s released to date. One must wonder what it would cost to put together the John Deere Precision Classic series from scratch. Or what is my collection of toys worth at auction today? So with those thoughts here are some true auction prices from a recent sale in North Central Ohio. All toys were NIB and had plastic still on tires.

720 diesel $140.00 

70 narrow $100.00

5 bottom plow $100.00 

A on steel $190.00

4 row planter $60.00

 4020 narrow $110.00

9750 combine $80.00 

4020 wide $375.00

Baler $70.00 

8020 4x4 $120.00

Barge Wagon $30.00

 4020 picker $140.00

Hay Wagon $30.00 

B narrow $130.00

110 Lawn & Garden $45.00 

730 diesel $130.00

4440 diesel $120.00 

630 narrow $130.00

720 w/loader & blade $110.00

 3010 narrow $70.00

I think these prices reflect what the hobby already knows and that is, toy prices are relatively soft right now. My point to this article though is you folks who love toys with details or are looking for a new challenge do not write off the Precision toys as they can be found at very acceptable prices in my mind.

Next month I will be back and hope to change it up a little bit. I would like to hear some feed back though first. My questions are two fold. Do you like getting auction reports like this and are they helpful to you? Secondly is anyone in to literature or memorabilia? I would love to report next month on an absolutely awesome Minneapolis Moline memorabilia sale I had the opportunity to attend in late June. With that remember to collect what you like and like what you collect.

Philipp J. Altstaetter

Remember to send your thoughts and questions to precisionphil@hotmail.com

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