As a model canoe collector, I had heard stories of this sale, but never seen them in print. I'm obliged to Kevin for raising it, and to Benson for pointing out the actual print media in which the account of the sale is written up.
John Summers, former Curator at the Clayton Antique Boat Museum has spoken before of those 'plug' models shown in Robert's photos. There were some unconfirmed rumors of an actual Rushton model or two, but nothing concrete that I had ever come across in any research. Whether this one qualifies as a 'canoe' sample is open to some debate. Most, I think, would categorize it as an Adirondack guide boat or St. Lawrence skiff more than a canoe, per se. But not to quibble; it is simply a magnificent piece. One any collector would salivate over, whether or not he/she has money enough to purchase.
The final auction price is not really all that surprising, given its rarity and esteemed maker. I am aware of a few other very early models by J S Stephenson, Rice Lake and Peterborough that have been carefully appraised at values approaching the above-reported auction level for insurance replacement purposes. These likely are as old as the Rushton, with the Stephenson likely being the earliest of them all. Most authentic factory sample/display canoes found today will readily outsell their full-size cousins by a factor of 3 or 4 times without too much trouble. The finest of the Old Town samples have routinely been bringing over $18,000 at auction since 2002.
