Auction House Offers All-Time Greatest John Deere Sign

A John Deere Gilpin Plow sign, recently discovered in a barn in Polson, MT, is up for the auction this month, NBC Montana reports. The auction house offering claims it might be “the greatest John Deere sign of all time.”

Aumann Auctions Inc. (Nokomis, IL), which specializes in vintage tractors, automobilia and advertising, is featuring the sign at its 2025 Pre-30 Sign & More #1 collection, which runs through April 28. The high bid as of April 7 is $30,500.

The 20 x 28-in. chromolithographed metal sign is believed to be among the first distributed by John Deere, according to a press release reprinted by NBC Montana. It was produced by the Wells & Hope Co. Chromo-Litho Iron Show Cards in Philadelphia the late 1800’s. The company was best known for producing advertising materials for breweries. Remnants of an original Deere & Co. label can be seen on the back, which instructs merchants to display it in a “conspicuous place.” This predates the establishment of John Deere dealerships, suggesting that such signs were sent to general mercantile stores where customers could order farm implements, the release states.

To read the full story by NBC Montana, click here.