Pat’d 1892 Salisbury’s Electric Boat Propeller

[jerry-ahrens]

You probably will never see another one of those. I would not let anyone restore or paint that motor. Wipe off the dust and leave it be. Congratulations on finding and preserving a rare piece of history! Thanks for sharing!

[jdhiller]

Thank you all for your info. I received a pm indicating that this motor is referenced in Allen Carter’s American Rowboat Motor, which I am about to order.

I am not planning to keep this motor, and would like to make it available to all through an auctionhouse (not ebay). Does anyone have any experience with the various auctioneers who specialize in boats and motors? Proximity to me in New York is not important, and I understand that these antique motors are quite popular in the midwestern states.

[PM T2]

this may sound a little far-fetched but we COULD host an auction using the AOMCI site.

Actually I would suggest using the AOMCI chat site. You could actually hold a LIVE auction, not a time limit thing such as usually the case on line.

No buyers premium and no extra fees. Chat line is free as long as you are an AOMCI member. Not everybody uses the chat line, but sometimes they will if they have the right incentive. THis would be one.

I don’t know if most pro auctioneers would want to only auction off one item, but I don’t know that for sure, it’s just a guess. I do not know of any auction houses that specialize in boats and motors. Most auctioneers are relatively green when it comes to this stuff, and rely on information from the sellers to properly prepare and advertise for large(r) auctions of motors and associated accoutrements.

Now that you have announced that it is going to be for sale, you can expect to receive some high (and probably tempting) offers from a very privileged few. To be honest, there are relatively few people in the AOMCI who can afford to get into a bidding war. Me NOT being one of them, hehehe.

BUT – if you want to examine the possibility of having a live online auction for your wonderful piece of history, I’d be glad to act as host and auctioneer in that case.

Otherwise, I’d suggest holding onto your motor until one of the BIG meets are scheduled to occur, then you can announce well ahead of time that your motor will be up for auction at which ever meet you choose, and it can be handled in that manner.

Hope this helps. Contact me directly if you wish to discuss more privately.

best,
Chris S

He's livin' in his own private Idaho..... I hope to go out quietly in my sleep, like my grand-dad did..... and not screaming, like the passengers in his car...

[jdhiller]

@Chris S – that is very interesting indeed. I will have to ponder that. Can you tell me what are the major meets in the US?

[PM T2]

Most of the bigger shows are probably over for this season, but there are options in the coming weeks or months.

Big meet coming up this weekend in Byron Michigan. Probably too short of notice, and perhaps not a big enough venue to suit you, but it is a possibility.

Several big meets in Florida over the course of the winter months. Mount Dora, etc. I don’t know how many of those meets are multi-day affairs.

Three-day show in Constantine MI in early July. Lots of visitors and lots of spending. If you want to travel the shortest distance while maximizing the possibility that you can have a good auction, this might be your best bet.

One of the largest shows is Tomahawk Wisconsin at the tail end of July-beginning of August, depending how the calendar works out. Officially, it’s a four-day show that runs from Wed-Saturday. Unofficially, it starts Sunday afternoon, as many attendees set up camp in the park, and the festivities take off from there. Some vendors are already set up and selling by mid-day Monday. I think the greatest amount of people can be found on the grounds on Wednesday-Thursday. Many vendors are packing up Thurs PM to leave.

OR – if you don’t want to wait months and months to cash in your discovery, just save yourself all them headaches and sell it to me. (Well, what did y’all expect me to do, just wave the white flag of surrender and not even try? lol)

Hope this helps.

best,
Chris S

He's livin' in his own private Idaho..... I hope to go out quietly in my sleep, like my grand-dad did..... and not screaming, like the passengers in his car...

[stanley]

Because of it’s rarity,importance and condition,I think it would be wonderful if it could make it’s way to a museum where it could be seen by many.I have no idea if they ever pay for pieces,but it belongs in the Smithsonian.There are also many other museums that might have an interest.If you are able to put a price on it,perhaps all the members of AOMCI could chip in,buy it and then donate it to a museum.

[jim-moffatt]

I owned a similar motor for about 10 years. I was able to get it running and used it in the water twice. Eventually I sold it. I know that there at least two others besides yours. Mine didn’t have the end cap nameplate but had one on top of the motor frame.

[Randy in Tampa]

I have a good kidney I’d be willing to sell in India for it 😉 just kidding, I would love to have the opportunity to bid on that…. please let us know how you plan auction it, Randy in Tampa

quote jdhiller:

Thank you all for your info. I received a pm indicating that this motor is referenced in Allen Carter’s American Rowboat Motor, which I am about to order.

I am not planning to keep this motor, and would like to make it available to all through an auctionhouse (not ebay). Does anyone have any experience with the various auctioneers who specialize in boats and motors? Proximity to me in New York is not important, and I understand that these antique motors are quite popular in the midwestern states.

[garry-in-michigan]

The value of such a rare and and well preserved example from the dawn of outboarding can only be "Priceless". It definitely belongs in the Smithsonian. . . 🙂

[collectorinspector]

What a wonderful thing!

If there is an auction either on line or at a meet, participation should be open for any member.

Is that fair?

Cheers

Bruce

[Author]

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