“I believe he helped test and modify it. But we should examine the documentation before claiming more.”
May nodded.
She respected the answer.
The collector looked at the notebook.
“Would you allow me to photograph a few pages?”
She hesitated.
Then she looked toward her aunt.
The older woman asked what he intended to do with the photographs.
He explained that he wanted to contact a retired agricultural engineer and a museum curator who specialized in experimental tractors.
He offered his own contact information and agreed not to publish the material without the family's permission.
May's aunt considered the request.
Then she nodded.
“Photographs of the relevant pages only.”
The collector smiled.
“Fair enough.”
They spent several minutes documenting the visible plate and matching notebook drawings.
The collector photographed the machine from several angles.
He also recorded the auction receipt number and the estate's information with permission.
Then he turned toward May.
“Whatever you do, don't start taking it apart.”
She looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because original parts and markings are evidence of its history. A careless restoration can destroy the very details that make a machine important.”
May nodded solemnly.
“Okay.”
“And don't paint it.”
She looked at the peeling green paint.
“Even though it looks terrible?”
The collector laughed.
“Especially because it looks terrible.”
She smiled.
He continued.
“First we authenticate it. Then we decide what should be conserved, repaired, or left untouched.”
May nodded again.
She liked this man.
He was the first adult at the auction who seemed more interested in understanding the machine than proving how much he already knew.
By noon, word of the discovery had spread throughout the auction grounds.
Farmers who had ignored Lot 47 during inspection now gathered around it.
Several asked May questions.
Some wanted to see the identification plate.
Others asked whether she had already received offers.
A few apologized for laughing.
One older farmer removed his hat and said he had been foolish to assume that her age meant she knew nothing.
May smiled shyly.
“That's okay.”
Her aunt looked at her.
“You don't have to say it's okay if somebody was unkind.”
May considered that.
Then she looked toward the farmer.