Vintage News
The Don MacMillan Archive
Cheffins Auctioneers are delighted to be offerring for sale Don MacMillans' fantastic collection of John Deere literature at our Cambridge Vintage Sale on Saturday 26th July 2008
Don MacMillan is recognised and respected as the worlds foremost authority on the history of the John Deere company. Holder of the first dealer franchise in the UK, his shadow looms large on the John Deere landscape and he is the author of many volumes on the subject including the definitive “John Deere Tractors and Equipment” volumes.
Cheffins Auctioneers are delighted to be offering his fantastic collection of John Deere literature acquired by Don during the past 60 years.
Born in 1919, Don’s passion for John Deere was kick started by using a Model AR before the war and a subsequent invite to visit the factory in America after the war. During the hostilities Don decided to make his contribution by purchasing his own tractor and plough and working for the “war ag” (The Agriculture Executive Committee). Starting with an Oliver 90, a Ransomes 4 furrow Multitrac and a fuel tender with a platform for his motorbike, Don moved around the South West looking for land ready to work eventually coming to Wiltshire where he has been ever since. Much in demand and with so much work ordered, Don applied for a new John Deere which duly arrived in 1943, the business went from strength to strength and by 1947 Don was running 8 combines, 3 pick up balers and 4 John Deeres, he had also picked up the knack of dealing. 1947 also saw his first visit to the States and the start of the lifelong John Deere relationship, Don was appointed John Deeres first UK dealer in 1958 and the business went from strength to strength in the following years.
Don’s retirement from the trade in 1981 coincided with his authorship of the John Deere Album for Allan Condie which was reprinted many times, Don’s name was as a consequence put forward as a candidate for authorship of the official ASAE John Deere history, the largest farm machinery company in the world, and American, agreed to an English author of their official history. Volume 1 followed in 1988 followed by Volume 2 in 1991, the subsequent Worldwide book was ready in 1994. Other titles followed such as The Big Book in 1991, The Little Book and The Field Guide in 2001, The Legacy in 2003 and The Encyclopedia in 2007. Some retirement!
The first traunch of the archive will be offered for sale at the Cambridge Vintage Sale on Saturday 26th July at the Sutton saleground near Ely, Cambridgeshire and includes literature and ephemera from all periods of the companies’ history.
All enquiries regarding this sale should be made to William King or Jeremy Curzon on +44 (0) 1223 213777 or via email at vintage@cheffins.co.uk