A collectable water tank that was left lying in a paddock for decades has sold for a record price.
Chris and Karen Bartsh are still coming to terms with the fact a relic from a paddock has netted them over $60 thousand. Their Furphy water tank dating back to the 1930s has sold for a record price of $61300 at a clearing sale in north-east Victoria. Ms Bartch told the ABC the tank had been sitting in a paddock in Beechworth for years and belonged to Mr Bartsh's father.
"Chris remembers his dad buying the Furphy second hand from someone in Murmungee, Victoria, about 50 years ago," Mrs Bartsh said.
"He and his sister were surprised it made more than double the amount of the previous record."
Kevin Hicks Real Estate clearing sale manager Chelsea McKay said they were t sure how much it would make as it was different with the Furihy pump on the front ``We were confident it was going to make good money, but it blew us out of the water,” she said. No pun intended.
The Furphy Water carts date back to the late 1800s and originated in Shepparton.
They have now become prized collector's items worth tens of thousands of dollars and are heavily sought after at clearing sales.
John Furphy embossed his philosophy on all his water cart ends – GOOD, BETTER, BEST – NEVER LET IT REST – TILL YOUR GOOD IS BETTER – AND YOUR BETTER, BEST.
The phrase “to tell a furphy” is ingrained in the Australian vernacular. But it actually originated from the brand. The stories and ‘yarns’ that were told around these tanks (which traveled around) became known as ‘Furphies’.
The phrase to tell a Furphy originated from the famous brand. Photo source: Chelsea McKay