RM Auctions reaffirmed its reputation as the specialist for single-vendor sales on the weekend (June 9–10), generating more than $9.88 million* in sales, with 100 percent of all lots sold at its Dingman Collection 2012 auction in New Hampshire. Characterized by a superb assortment of Americana, the Dingman Collection represented many years of careful and meticulous acquisition by prominent businessman, investor, and philanthropist, Michael Dingman, a former Ford Motor Company director for over 21 years. In total, the weekend’s sale lifted the gavel on nearly 50 automobiles and more than 1,000 automotive signs and collectibles (offered in 845 individual lots) before […]
RM Auctions reaffirmed its reputation as the specialist for single-vendor sales on the weekend (June 9–10), generating more than $9.88 million* in sales, with 100 percent of all lots sold at its Dingman Collection 2012 auction in New Hampshire.
Characterized by a superb assortment of Americana, the Dingman Collection represented many years of careful and meticulous acquisition by prominent businessman, investor, and philanthropist, Michael Dingman, a former Ford Motor Company director for over 21 years. In total, the weekend’s sale lifted the gavel on nearly 50 automobiles and more than 1,000 automotive signs and collectibles (offered in 845 individual lots) before a packed house, with those in the room joined by a large volume of bidders on the phone and over the Internet. Highlighting RM’s unsurpassed expertise in the cataloguing, marketing, and advertising of single-vendor sales, the auction attracted strong global interest with bidders hailing from 34 states across the US and as far away as Europe, South America, and the Middle East. Thirty-seven percent of bidders represented first time clientele.
“We are delighted with the results from the weekend’s Dingman Collection sale,” said Mike Fairbairn, Co-Founder, RM Auctions. “The Dingman Collection was without question, one of the finest of its kind. The results speak for themselves, reflecting not only the exceptional rarity and quality of the collection but RM’s expertise in the handling of single-vendor sales and its strong track record for consistently exceeding high estimates at private collection auctions.”
Topping the automobile offering was the stunningly rare, 2011 Pebble Beach class-winning 1936 Ford Model 48 Cabriolet with coachwork by Gläser, which well-exceeded its pre-sale estimate, realizing an impressive $396,000. A beautifully presented 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr Coupe also garnered strong attention, achieving a strong $330,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $125,000–$175,000. Reflecting the exceptional condition of the vehicles, seventy-three percent of automotive lots exceeded their high-estimates. Among an exhaustive list of other notable sales was a beautifully restored 1939 Lincoln-Zephyr Convertible Coupe for $269,500 and a 1938 Ford Deluxe Station Wagon for $209,000. Although not one of the most expensive lots of the day, but noteworthy nonetheless, was the rare and highly desirable 1986 Volkswagen Vangon GL Syncro, which was hotly contested by collectors, selling for a remarkable $22,000—more than five times its pre-sale estimate.
The top 10 automobile sales were as follows:
Lot 826: 1936 Ford Custom Cabriolet by Gläser – $396,000**
Lot 812: 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr Coupe – $330,000**
Lot 815: 1939 Lincoln-Zephyr Convertible Coupe – $269,500**
Lot 827: 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Sportsman Convertible – $253,000
Lot 814: 1939 Ford Deluxe Station Wagon – $247,500**
Lot 845: 2005 Ford GT – $242,000
Lot 810: 1938 Ford Deluxe Station Wagon – $209,000**
Lot 818: 1940 Ford Deluxe Station Wagon – $203,500**
Lot 819: 1940 Ford Standard Station Wagon – $192,500**
Lot 828: 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon – $192,500**
Beyond the automobiles, the two-day sale featured one of the world’s most impressive automotive sign collections and a magnificent series of other collectibles, with 845 lots of nostalgia crossing the podium over the two days. Headlining the group was a wonderful assortment of neon signs, which attracted spirited bidding. Top sales honors went to a rare and highly pursued circa 1950s Ford “Jubilee” sign for $39,100, against a pre-sale estimate of $20,000–$25,000 and a striking Lincoln Mercury neon sign for $37,950, versus a pre-sale estimate of $15,000–$20,000. Other lots well exceeding expectations included a Ford Illuminated Sign, which achieved more than five times its pre-sale estimate, selling for $27,025 and a beautiful two-piece Ford Mercury sign, which tripled its estimate at $25,300.
Fairbairn added, “One of the most interesting aspects of this sale was the tremendous quality and quantity of porcelain and neon signs, petroliana, and other collectibles. Just the signs alone attracted a huge crowd, and many records resulted as these highly knowledgeable bidders fought each other for the best and most desirable lots in the sale.”
The top five nostalgia sales were as follows:
Lot 793: Ford “Jubilee” – $39,100**
Lot 792: Lincoln Mercury – $37,950**
Lot 457: Ford Oval Lincoln Mercury- $33,350**
Lot 298: Lincoln Zephyr – $29,900**
Lot 800: A collection of 21 Route 66 signs, sold as a single lot – $29,900**
Lot 453: Ford V8 – $29,900**
“RM’s team of talented people performed flawlessly in making this another successful sale,” said Michael Dingman following the sale. Their attention to detail and calm under pressure was no surprise. “We were particularly impressed with the focus, spirit, and competence of the RM team and how they treated guests and community people of all types and functions. We extend our compliments for a job well done, noting how their depth of experience was evident in every interaction.”
The Dingman Collection represents RM’s second successful single-vendor sale in 2012, following in the footsteps of the remarkable Milhous Collection, presented in association with Sotheby’s, in February. The company has confirmed two additional private collection sales for the remainder of 2012, including the Aalholm Automobile Collection, August 12 in Southern Denmark, and the Charlie Thomas Collection, October 19 in Dallas, Texas, USA.
Next up, RM returns to Plymouth, Michigan for its annual sale, held in conjunction with the Concours d’Elegance of America, at St. John’s on July 28.
Full results from the Dingman Collection sale, along with details on upcoming events, are available online at www.rmauctions.com.
*Prices are listed in USD and are inclusive of a 10% buyer’s premium for automobiles and 15% for all other lots
**Denotes lots exceeding pre-sale estimates