As more advanced technologies replaced them, the engines became collectors items.

Today, an impressive collection of 120 small engines, plus other items, will be sold at auction at Hundertmark Auction Service on U.S. Highway 169 at the north end of Humboldt.

“This is really a good collection,” said Tom Hundertmark, one of the owners of the auction company. “There’s a lot of old iron here.”

He said it is rare to see such a large collection of small engines offered for sale.

-Submitted photo
Rows of old gas engines were set up for display Friday afternoon at Hundertmark Auction Services in Humboldt. Today, the company will auction off 120 small engines that were the collection of Robert Campbell, of Eagle Grove.

He estimated that the engines date from about 1910 into the 1930s.

According to Hundertmark, the machines were all owned by Robert Campbell, of Eagle Grove.

“It was a lifetime collection for this gentleman,” he said.

He said Campbell casted parts for other small engine collectors and sold them.

Also for sale during the auction will be 22 old pedal tractors, a rock crusher, a motorcycle and some lawn mowers.

The auction will begin at 10 a.m. at the Hundertmark Auction Service and at 11 a.m. on proxibd.com.