Personally, I felt this sample was somewhat 'under-appreciated' at the sale, and went for a bit less than it deserved (perhaps by $4,000, or so). It had been estimated, pre-sale, at $15,000-$25,000; a mid-range result was a not-unreasonable expectation. Someone got a very decent buy. As a rule, Kennebec samples do not do as well market-wise compared to Old Town samples; $20K has so far been something of a 'ceiling'. This one was in very nice current condition, but did have some detracting features for the seriously meticulous or purist collectors. In its long ago past, it had been roughly used as a toy boat by young children. There was wear and flaking to its paint, and the seats and thwarts had been broken and gone missing. It was rescued one day by a passing canoe enthusiast who saved it from further abuse. Years later it was acquired by a fellow WCHA member from the Pacific northwest. The sample was cleaned up, its flaking paint stabilized and preserved, and its seats and thwarts replaced according to original specifications copied from a sample of similar age. All in all, a very first class restoration. Kennebec samples are fairly scarce; only 60 were ever made according to preserved company records in the Maine State Museum, in two known sizes, 63" and 69", and all between 1916-1926. This one is a Century-old survivor; how many of the original group still exist is unknown, but likely less than were produced. Overall, a solid buy for the winning bidder. It is documented and pictured in the book "Little things that matter", (hopefully a bonus for the purchaser). I am not aware of the new buyer's identity, and auction houses do not usually reveal such information.
bid.guyetteanddeeter.com
