Brass Era automobiles to invade Amelia Island auction March 7th
New York – Bonhams announced the sale of the Don C. Boulton Collection of two dozen Pioneer, Veteran and Brass Era automobiles and automobilia at the Amelia Island Auction on March…
New York – Bonhams announced the sale of the Don C. Boulton Collection of two dozen Pioneer, Veteran and Brass Era automobiles and automobilia at the Amelia Island Auction on March 7th.
The late Don Boulton of Oklahoma City was renowned for his passion and infectious enthusiasm for pre-Great War motorcars. As a former National President and lifelong member of the Horseless Carriage Club of America, Boulton was one of the hobby’s greatest ambassadors and hosted regular weekend “cars and coffee” gatherings at his warehouse collection in Oklahoma.
Numbering 24 antique automobiles, two antique motorcycles and automobilia, the Boulton Collection to be offered in Amelia Island consists of some very rare and highly sought-after models, beginning from 1899 up to 1914. Highlights include the 1908 Welch Model 4 Seven-Seat Tourer formerly owned by Bill Harrah and featured on the front cover of Ralph Stein’s innovative book
The Treasury of the Automobile, a luxurious 1904 Peerless Type 8 Four-Cylinder 24hp Rear Entrance Tonneau, a sporty 1913 Mercer Model 35 J Runabout, and a renowned 1914 Simplex Speedcar, to name but a few.
As with most cars of this age, those in the Boulton Collection have wonderful stories to tell. One, for example, is the 1910 Pope Hartford Model T Limousine that was originally owned by Uruguay’s ambassador to the Vatican and in which Pope Pius X was reported to have ridden.
Says Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Co-Chairman and active Brass Era enthusiast, “Don Boulton’s name is synonymous with these great cars. His undying support and energetic advocacy inspired many of us around the world. He collected from an early age, beginning in the 1950s, and with a critical eye for rarity and powerful cars.”
The marques represented in the Boulton Collection headed to Amelia Island include: Austin, Columbus, Haynes, Knox, Locomobile, Matheson, Mercer, Oldsmobile, Packard, Peerless, Pierce-Arrow, Pope, Rambler, Simplex, Tincher and Welch.
Also of great importance is the fact that no less than seven Boulton cars could be eligible for the annual London-to-Brighton Emancipation Run, the world’s longest continuously held automobile run, and an event for which entries are limited to cars of 1904 and earlier.
More details on each of these incredible antique American motorcars will be available online in the coming weeks at Bonhams.com/Amelia.
How much is it worth?
Find out in the 2019 Collector Car Price Guide.
