The auction of the Lee Roy Hartung Collection earlier this month generated almost $4 million. The auction captured global attention with bidders representing nine countries and 45 states across the USA.

A labor of love carefully amassed over the past 50 years by Chicago collector, the late Lee Roy Hartung, the diverse collection spanned a broad range of Americana, from historic automobiles and motorcycles to bicycles, vintage memorabilia and one of the world's largest and most complete license plate collections. Specialists spent an intense two months preparing the collection for sale.

The sale was a terrific celebration of one man's drive to collect and preserve American history. Collectors recognized the range of rare ownership opportunities the sale presented, as was reflected in the strong attendance and results. In addition to the automobiles, vintage motorcycles were a major component and focus of the collection. The prices realized for the examples on offer confirm the continued strength of the collectible motorcycle market."
1911 Flying Merkel
Top sale honors went to a magnificent series of timewarp motorcycles and automobiles, headlined by a rare and hotly-contested 1911 Flying Merkel Twin Belt Drive for an impressive $201,250. A 1912 Harley-Davidson Single-Cylinder Belt Drive, believed to be among the best 1912 examples in the world, also drew lively bidding, selling for $115,000.