He Collects Antique Lawn Sprinklers

2019 - Volume #43, Issue #4, Page #22

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Antique lawn sprinklers may be more interesting and have more character, but they don’t work as well as modern sprinklers, says David McCormick. The Springfield, Mass., writer and collector knows that because he’s tested all the sprinklers in his collection.
  “They only do small areas and don’t have the same velocity as newer sprinklers. And they have erratic movement,” McCormick explains.
  Still, it’s pretty fun to watch his vintage monkey sprinkler hold its “tail” and spin as it sprays water. The stamped painted metal sprinkler is worth $250+.
  Sprinklers in the U.S. date back to the late 1800’s when homeowners started thinking about making beautiful lawns. Manufacturers came out with artistic and clever designs as well as very simple designs. McCormick says one of his sprinklers is just a metal bar upturned at the end to shoot water all over.
  His oldest sprinkler is a cast iron alligator that has a spinner at the top to spray water. It has a trace of original green paint and is valued from $200 to $400. Made around 1900, alligator sprinklers are highly sought after by collectors.
  An aluminum duck from the late 40’s/early 50’s also spins and is worth $150+. A smaller flower shaped sprinkler is worth $50 to $60.
  Car fans appreciate the 1951 Stampco model with a huge chrome sprinkler head that resembles the chrome bumpers on 50’s era cars. It’s worth $60 to $80.
  McCormick’s L.R. Nelson Co. sprinkler from the 1950’s has a 12-in. propeller blade on a 9-in. sprinkler head. In good condition it’s worth $40 to $80.
  There are various ways sprinklers disperse water, from shooting up like a fountain to oscillating. They come in a variety of shapes from animals to tractors and autos. Like all antiques, rarity, age and condition determine value. While $600 to $800 buys the most valued sprinklers, they can go higher. For example, a mid 20th Century ceramic frog sprinkler is valued at $1,350.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, David McCormick, 1391 Plumtree Rd., Springfield, Mass. 01119 (ph 413 209-8860; dmccormick86@comcast.net).

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He Collects Antique Lawn Sprinklers AG WORLD Antique lawn sprinklers may be more interesting and have more character but they don’t work as well as modern sprinklers says David McCormick The Springfield Mass writer and collector knows that because he’s tested all the sprinklers in his collection “They only do small areas and don’t have the same velocity as newer sprinklers And they have erratic movement ” McCormick explains Still it’s pretty fun to watch his vintage monkey sprinkler hold its “tail” and spin as it sprays water The stamped painted metal sprinkler is worth $250+ Sprinklers in the U S date back to the late 1800’s when homeowners started thinking about making beautiful lawns Manufacturers came out with artistic and clever designs as well as very simple designs McCormick says one of his sprinklers is just a metal bar upturned at the end to shoot water all over His oldest sprinkler is a cast iron alligator that has a spinner at the top to spray water It has a trace of original green paint and is valued from $200 to $400 Made around 1900 alligator sprinklers are highly sought after by collectors An aluminum duck from the late 40’s/early 50’s also spins and is worth $150+ A smaller flower shaped sprinkler is worth $50 to $60 Car fans appreciate the 1951 Stampco model with a huge chrome sprinkler head that resembles the chrome bumpers on 50’s era cars It’s worth $60 to $80 McCormick’s L R Nelson Co sprinkler from the 1950’s has a 12-in propeller blade on a 9-in sprinkler head In good condition it’s worth $40 to $80 There are various ways sprinklers disperse water from shooting up like a fountain to oscillating They come in a variety of shapes from animals to tractors and autos Like all antiques rarity age and condition determine value While $600 to $800 buys the most valued sprinklers they can go higher For example a mid 20th Century ceramic frog sprinkler is valued at $1 350 Contact: FARM SHOW Followup David McCormick 1391 Plumtree Rd Springfield Mass 01119 ph 413 209-8860; dmccormick86@comcast net

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