Auctions America is gearing up for its sale of the Littlefield Collection, one of the most important collections of historic military vehicles and accessories ever to be offered at auction. The collection, comprised of 114 vehicles and more than 200 parts and accessories, represents nearly every era of 20th century combat. The sale takes place in Portola Valley, California, July 11-12. All hammer proceeds from the sale will benefit the Collings Foundation, a non-profit educational facility (501C-3).
“From early World War I vehicles through to a modern missile launcher, the Littlefield Military Collection provides a fascinating insight into military engineering and technology,” says Ian Kelleher, Specialist, Auctions America. “The sheer number and size of the vehicles in the collection is only matched by their formidable power. We’ve received tremendous early interest in the sale from around the world, and look forward to welcoming collectors to California in July for their chance to bid and ultimately own one of these truly historic pieces of the past.”
To provide enthusiasts with a glimpse into the extraordinary collection, a television special “Million Dollar Collections: The Littlefield Collection” will air on VELOCITY in advance of the sale. Produced by Roger Wilco Productions and hosted by noted United States Marine Corps veteran and respected actor Capt. Dale Dye, the program features an in-depth look at the history of the collection, shining a spotlight on some of the many vehicles slated for the auction block.
“The Littlefield Collection is a genuine eye-opener; it’s as though you’re walking through military history,” said Dye during the filming of the show. “It’s an extraordinary look at how technology went from a two-ton, sort of half tracked meatball of an idea in early World War I, through some of the most extraordinary, technologically advanced armored fighting vehicles in world.”
“Million Dollar Collections: The Littlefield Collection” Schedule (ET) on VELOCITY:
Saturday, June 7 10:00pm premiere and 1:00am
Monday, June 16 3:00pm
Thursday, June 19 4:00pm
Saturday, June 21 2:00pm
Monday, June 30 10:00pm and 1:00am
Thursday, July 3 3:00pm
Saturday, July 5 8:00pm
Monday, July 7 6:00pm and 8:00pm
Thursday, July 10 9:00am, 9:00pm and 12:00am
The no-reserve sale on July 12 will lift the gavel on a diverse collection of military technology originating from as many as 15 countries around the world. Among featured lots selling to the highest bidder are:
· an M50 Israeli Sherman Medium Tank, an upgraded model, capable of 31 mph, which saw use in the 1956 Suez War, the 1967 Six Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War (AA estimate: $300,000 – $350,000, pictured);
· an original, unrestored 50-ton 2S7 “Pion” 203-mm Self-Propelled Gun, originally manufactured in the USSR and one of 12 sold to Czechoslovakia. It was withdrawn from active service in 1990 with the breakup of the Warsaw Pact ($150,000 – $175,000);
· an M3A5 Grant Medium Tank, originally built in the United States and equipped with twin GM diesels before being shipped to Australia for use by the country’s reserve units ($300,000 – $400,000); and
· an FV3901 Churchill Toad Flail Tank presented in as-new condition and the last surviving example of the 42 originally built with the purpose of clearing a path through a minefield ($400,000 – $500,000).
In addition to these sale highlights, a special group of five vehicles will be offered in the Littlefield Select auction, which will immediately follow the Littlefield Collection no-reserve sale. These lots were particularly important to Mr. Littlefield, and are amongst the rarest collectible military vehicles in existence. Included in the group is a rare Sd.Kfz.7 (KM M11) 8-Ton Half-Track used to tow medium artillery, a gun crew and ammunition throughout World War II ($900,000 – $1,200,000) and a Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. H (Sd.Kfz. 161/2), a medium tank most likely built by Nibelungenwerke in 1944 and captured by the Israelis during the Six Day War in 1967, after which it was used as a training vehicle ($2,400,000 – $2,600,000).
Complete information and photography of all vehicles, along with a selection of parts on offer at the upcoming Littlefield Collection sale is now available in the digital catalog: .
Commenting on the upcoming sale, Dye adds, “This is tangible world history being made available for the first time to collectors, scholars, museums and just plain enthusiasts who understand the importance of preserving military history.”
The Littlefield Collection sale will be held onsite at the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation, 499 Old Spanish Trail, Portola Valley, California, July 11 – 12. A free public preview will be held onsite July 9 – 10, but admission to the auction itself is limited to registered bidders.
For additional information on the upcoming sale, or to speak with an Auctions America specialist, visit auctionsamerica.com or call toll free at 877-906-2437 (or +1 260-927-9797 outside of North America). For those unable to attend the event in person, absentee and telephone bidding options are available and the auction will stream live at auctionsamerica.com, providing real-time coverage of the event.